zou6 man4 zoeng1做文章
Jyutpingzou6 man4 zoeng1
Yalejouh màhn jēung
Definition
To make a big deal out of something, often by exaggerating, modifying, or concealing facts to affect someone's reputation.
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
This expression implies a calculated effort to manipulate information for the purpose of attacking someone's character or creating a scandal. It suggests that the speaker believes the criticism is malicious or blown out of proportion rather than a genuine critique. It is frequently used in political or workplace contexts where someone is looking for a pretext to cause trouble.
Examples
They love to make a big deal out of these minor issues.
Related words
Common phrases
to make a mountain out of a molehill
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for the literal act of writing an essay. In Cantonese, it is almost exclusively used in a negative, metaphorical sense to describe stirring up trouble or finding fault where there is none.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
