ziu1 je5招惹
Jyutpingziu1 je5
Yalejīu yéh
Definition
To provoke, incur, or attract unwanted things or people.
colloquialdaily actionsemotion
How it's used
This verb carries a negative connotation, specifically implying that the subject has brought something undesirable or troublesome upon themselves through their own actions or speech. It is frequently used in contexts involving conflict, gossip, or unwanted attention. Unlike neutral verbs for causing something, it suggests a lack of foresight or a foolish decision to engage with a source of trouble.
Examples
Don't just say whatever you want and bring trouble upon yourself.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general term for 'causing' something, but it is strictly limited to negative outcomes like trouble, anger, or suspicion. You would not use it to describe causing a positive result or a neutral event.
Grammar color guide
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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.
