zou6 zok3造作

Jyutpingzou6 zok3

Yalejouh jok

形容詞Uncommon

Definition

Affected, artificial, or unnatural in behavior, facial expression, tone, or manner.

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How it's used

This term carries a strong negative connotation, implying that someone is deliberately performing or overacting to gain attention or project a specific image. It is frequently used to critique social interactions where someone seems insincere or overly dramatic. Unlike simply being fake, it specifically highlights a lack of fluidity and a sense of forced effort in one's mannerisms.

Examples

keoi5佢gong2講je5嘢hou2好zou6造zok3作，teng1聽lok6落hou2好m4唔syu1舒fuk6服。

The way they talk is so affected, it sounds very uncomfortable.

nei5你sai2使m4唔sai2使gam3咁zou6造zok3作aa4呀？zou6做faan1返zi6自gei2己laa1啦。

Do you really have to be so artificial? Just be yourself.

Common phrases

hou2好zou6造zok3作

very affected

biu2表cing4情zou6造zok3作

artificial facial expression

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it can sometimes mean to create or produce something. In Cantonese, it is almost exclusively used as an adjective to describe behavior that is unnatural or pretentious.