zing2 gu2整蠱整蛊
Jyutpingzing2 gu2
Yalejíng gú
Definition
To play a trick, practical joke, or make fun of someone; to set a trap to make life difficult.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the intent to cause minor distress or embarrassment for amusement rather than genuine harm. It is frequently used to describe schoolyard pranks or office mischief. When someone is the victim of such an act, they might exclaim that they have been 俾人整蠱.
Examples
Why are you playing a trick on me?
He is always playing pranks on the new colleagues, it is so mean.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 玩, which is a broader term for playing or having fun. 整蠱 specifically implies a target is being tricked or set up, whereas 玩 can be entirely innocent.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
