zi1 cau2知醜知丑
Jyutpingzi1 cau2
Yalejī cháu
Definition
To have a sense of shame; to feel ashamed when one has done something wrong.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This expression is almost exclusively used in negative constructions or rhetorical questions to scold someone for their lack of moral awareness. It functions as a harsh critique of character rather than a simple description of feeling embarrassed. It is significantly more aggressive than simply saying someone is shy or embarrassed.
Examples
You did something wrong but still refuse to admit it, you really have no sense of shame.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 尷尬, which refers to feeling awkward or embarrassed in a social situation. 知醜 implies a deeper moral failing or a lack of self-awareness regarding one's own inappropriate behavior.
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.
