zou6 hei3做戲做戏

Jyutpingzou6 hei3

Yalejouh hei

動詞Uncommon

Definition

To act or perform in a show or movie, or to pretend and put up a facade.

to act or perform in a play, movie, or drama
figurativeto pretend, put on a show, or put up a facade to cover up the truth

colloquialpeopledaily actions

How it's used

Beyond the literal sense of performing in a play or movie, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone who is being insincere or putting on a performance to manipulate others. It carries a slightly cynical nuance when applied to real-life behavior, implying that the person is not being genuine. You will often hear it used to call out someone who is overreacting or faking their emotions.

Examples

keoi5佢sai3細go3個hou2好zung1鍾ji3意zou6做hei3戲，seng4成jat6日喺hai2屋uk1企kei2扮baan6鬼gwai2扮baan6馬。

He loved acting when he was a kid, always dressing up and playing pretend at home.

nei5你sai2使m4唔sai2使zou6做hei3戲zou6做dak1得gam3咁kwaa1誇zoeng1張aa4呀？

Do you really have to be so dramatic about it?

Common phrases

zou6做hei3戲gam3咁zou6做

to go through the motions

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 演戲, which is a more formal or standard term for acting. Using 做戲 in a professional context to describe a career as an actor might sound too casual or dismissive.