zeng2 dai2 zi1 waa1井底之蛙
Jyutpingzeng2 dai2 zi1 waa1
Yalejéng dái jī wā
Definition
An ignorant, narrow-minded person of limited experience who thinks highly of themselves.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is used to criticize someone for having a limited perspective due to a lack of exposure to the outside world. It carries a strong sense of condescension, implying that the person is not only ignorant but also smugly satisfied with their own narrow knowledge. It is frequently applied in professional or academic settings to call out someone who refuses to accept new ideas or methods.
Examples
Don't be a frog in a well, go out and see the world.
He always thinks he is very clever, he is simply a frog in a well.
Related words
Common phrases
to mock someone as a frog in a well
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe someone who is simply shy or quiet, but it specifically requires the element of arrogance or self-satisfaction regarding one's limited knowledge.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
