zi2 zyu6 tuk1 nou4 maa6 wo4 soeng2指住禿奴罵和尚指住秃奴骂和尚

Jyutpingzi2 zyu6 tuk1 nou4 maa6 wo4 soeng2

Yalejí jyuh tūk nòuh mah wòh séung

Definition

To abuse or scold someone indirectly by ostensibly pointing to and criticizing someone else.

colloquialpeoplecommunication

How it's used

This idiom describes a specific type of passive-aggressive behavior where someone insults a target by pretending to criticize a third party nearby. It is often used when the speaker is too cowardly to confront the person directly or wants to maintain a thin veil of deniability. The imagery of scolding a monk while pointing at a bald slave highlights the absurdity of attacking someone based on a shared physical trait.

Examples

keoi5佢zi2指zyu6住tuk1禿nou4奴maa6罵wo4和soeng2尚，baai2擺ming4明hai6係waa6話gan2緊nei5你aa4呀。

He is scolding you by pointing at someone else, it is obvious.

nei5你sai2使m4唔sai2使zi2指zyu6住tuk1禿nou4奴maa6罵wo4和soeng2尚gam3咁joeng2樣naau6鬧jan4人aa4呀？

Do you really have to be so indirect and passive-aggressive when scolding someone?

Common phrases

zi2指zyu6住tuk1禿nou4奴maa6罵wo4和soeng2尚

to insult someone by pointing at a third party

Common mistake

Do not use this phrase to describe simple indirect criticism. It specifically requires the act of pointing or gesturing toward a scapegoat to deliver the insult to the intended target.