zok3 sai3作勢作势
Jyutpingzok3 sai3
Yalejok sai
Definition
To pretend to do an action; to make a gesture or pose as if about to do something.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the performative aspect of an action rather than a full attempt. It implies the person is putting on a show to provoke a reaction or to test someone's response. Often used when someone makes a dramatic gesture like raising a hand or stepping forward without any real intention to follow through.
Examples
He pretended to leave, but ended up being pulled back.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 扮嘢, which is a broader term for acting fake or pretentious in personality. 作勢 is specifically about the physical movement or gesture of an intended action that is not actually carried out.
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.
