zing2 sik1 seoi2整色水
Jyutpingzing2 sik1 seoi2
Yalejíng sīk séui
Definition
To put on a show, make an insincere gesture, or feign pleasantness.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This phrase describes someone who is being deliberately fake or performative to gain an advantage or hide their true intentions. It often implies a sense of annoyance from the speaker, suggesting that the person's behavior is unnecessary and transparent. You will frequently hear it used with the verb-object structure 整色整水 to emphasize the ongoing nature of the act.
Examples
He is just putting on an act, don't believe him.
Why do you need to put on a show? Just say it directly.
Related words
Common phrases
to put on an act
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with literal coloring or painting, as the word 水 here refers to the liquid or solution used in dyeing, not water in the sense of hydration.
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.
