zok3 lyun6作亂作乱
Jyutpingzok3 lyun6
Yalejok lyuhn
Definition
To start a rebellion or stage a revolt.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
While formally meaning to stage a rebellion, in everyday Cantonese, this is frequently used in a hyperbolic sense to describe someone, especially a child or a pet, acting out or causing a scene. It carries a sense of active, disruptive behavior rather than just being naughty. You will often hear it used to describe someone creating a mess or causing a disturbance in a public space.
Examples
They are always causing trouble there, it is so annoying.
Who dares to cause chaos here?
Related words
Common phrases
to take the opportunity to cause trouble
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simple misbehavior like 曳, as it implies a more active, chaotic, or rebellious form of disruption. It is too strong to describe a minor mistake or a quiet child.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
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.
