zou6 gwai2 zou6 maa5做鬼做馬做鬼做马

Jyutpingzou6 gwai2 zou6 maa5

Yalejouh gwái jouh máh

Definition

To pull pranks, play tricks, or make funny faces and gestures in a mischievous manner.

colloquialpeopledaily actions

How it's used

This expression captures a sense of mischievous or even slightly malicious deception rather than just a harmless prank. It often implies that the person is acting in a sneaky or underhanded way to manipulate a situation. While it can describe lighthearted teasing, it frequently carries a negative connotation of being untrustworthy or intentionally troublesome.

Examples

nei5你zou6做gwai2鬼zou6做maa5馬aak3呃ngo5我，ji5以wai4為ngo5我m4唔zi1知me1咩？

You played a trick to deceive me, did you think I wouldn't know?

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日zung1鍾ji3意zou6做gwai2鬼zou6做maa5馬，gaau2搞dou3到daai6大gaa1家gam3咁gaam3尷gaai3尬。

He always likes to play tricks, making everyone feel so awkward.

Common phrases

seng4成jat6日zou6做gwai2鬼zou6做maa5馬

always playing tricks

zung1鍾ji3意zou6做gwai2鬼zou6做maa5馬

likes to play tricks

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the idiom 做牛做馬, which means to work like a horse or slave for someone else. The two phrases sound similar but have completely opposite meanings regarding one's behavior and intent.