zou6 cau2 jan2做醜人做丑人

Jyutpingzou6 cau2 jan2

Yalejouh cháu yán

動詞

Definition

To mediate or settle a conflict, often risking resentment from the parties involved.

colloquialpeopledaily actions

How it's used

Acting as the one who delivers bad news or enforces rules often earns this label, as the role inherently risks being disliked by both parties involved. It implies a sense of sacrifice where you accept social friction to restore order or reach a compromise. The term is frequently used when someone is forced into a situation they would rather avoid.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋loeng5兩go3個aai3嗌gaau1交，jau6又jiu3要ngo5我heoi3去zou6做cau2醜jan2人。

The two of them are arguing, and now I have to be the one to mediate.

nei5你m4唔hou2好zou6做cau2醜jan2人laa1啦，jau2由dak1得keoi5佢dei6哋zi6自gei2己gaai2解kyut3決。

Don't play the peacemaker, just let them resolve it themselves.

Related words

Common phrases

m4唔soeng2想zou6做cau2醜jan2人

don't want to be the one to mediate

wai4唯jau5有zou6做cau2醜jan2人

have no choice but to be the mediator

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply being a bad person. It specifically refers to the social role of a mediator who risks their own reputation or popularity to resolve a conflict, rather than describing a person's character.