Greetings! If you’re eager to learn how to express the concept of “mean” in Cantonese, you’ve come to the right place. In this detailed guide, we will explore various ways to convey “mean” in both formal and informal contexts, and provide you with tips, examples, and even regional variations where necessary. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Mean” in Cantonese
Formal language is commonly used in professional settings or when speaking to someone of higher authority. Here are several ways to express “mean” formally in Cantonese:
- 刻薄 (hak^1 bok^6) – This term carries the meaning of being unkind or harsh towards others. For example: “他對別人總是刻薄” (taa1 deoi3 bit6 jan4zung2 si6 hak^1 bok^6) means “He is always mean to others.”
- 吝嗇 (lam^5 sik^1) – It refers to someone who is stingy or reluctant to share. Here’s an example: “她很吝嗇，從不借錢給別人” (taa1 han^2 lam^5 sik^1, cung^4 bat1 ze^2 cin2 gei3 bit6 jan4) meaning “She is mean and never lends money to others.”
- 心狠手辣 (sam^1 han^4 sau^2 lat^1) – This phrase describes someone who is not only mean in words but also cruel and ruthless in actions. For instance, “那個人心狠手辣，從來不留餘地” (naa5 go3 jan4 sam^1 han^4 sau^2 lat^1, cung^4 loi4 bat1 lau4 jyu4 dei6) translates to “That person is mean and ruthless, never leaving any room for compromise.”
Informal Ways to Say “Mean” in Cantonese
Informal language is used in everyday conversations among friends, family, or peers. Below are some commonly used informal terms to express “mean” in Cantonese:
- 激 (gik^1) – This slang term is often used to describe someone as being mean or nasty. For example: “佢對我好激喎” (keoi5 deoi3 ngo5 hou2 gik^1 wo3) means “He/she is mean to me.”
- 憎 (zang^1) – It refers to someone who is disliked or detested due to their mean behavior. Here’s an example: “我好憎佢㗎” (ngo5 hou2 zang^1 keoi5 gaa3) means “I really dislike him/her.”
- 慳 (him^1) – This term denotes a person who is not only mean but also unwilling to spend money. For instance: “佢好慳錢，從來唔肯請客” (keoi5 hou2 him^1 cin2, cung^4 loi4 m4 hang2 ceng2 fo^1) translates to “He/she is mean and never treats others.”
Regional Variations
While Cantonese is mostly spoken in Guangdong province, Hong Kong, and Macau, there are regional variations in vocabulary usage. Here are a couple of examples:
Guangdong Province
Cantonese speakers in Guangdong Province often use the term 剷 (zaan2) to mean “mean.” For instance, “佢好剷人” (keoi5 hou2 zaan2 jan4) means “He/she is mean to others.”
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong, the slang term 仆街 (puk^1 gaai^1) is widely used to express “mean.” For example, “佢係個仆街” (keoi5 hai6 go3 puk^1 gaai^1) means “He/she is so mean.”
Tips and Examples
Now that we’ve covered a range of phrases for “mean” in Cantonese, here are some tips to help you use them more effectively:
Tip 1: To emphasize the meaning, you can add intensifiers like “好” (hou2), meaning “very” or “really,” before the term for “mean.”
Examples:
- “佢好剷人傷心” (keoi5 hou2 zaan2 jan4 soeng1 sam1) – “He/she is very mean and hurtful.”
- “我好憎佢到爆” (ngo5 hou2 zang^1 keoi5 dou3 baau3) – “I really hate him/her.”
- “佢好激我” (keoi5 hou2 gik^1 ngo5) – “He/she is really mean to me.”
Tip 2: To express someone being mean to a specific person, use “對” (deoi3) before the term for “mean” followed by the person’s name or pronoun.
Examples:
- “佢對我吝嗇” (keoi5 deoi3 ngo5 lam^5 sik^1) – “He/she is mean to me.”
- “佢對年紀大嘅人好慳” (keoi5 deoi3 nin4 gei2 daai6 ge3 jan4 hou2 him^1) – “He/she is mean to older people.”
Wrapping It Up
Congratulations! You’ve completed this comprehensive guide on how to say “mean” in Cantonese. We explored both formal and informal expressions, provided examples, and even touched upon a few regional variations. Remember to adapt your language according to the context and the level of formality required. With practice, you’ll soon be able to confidently express different shades of “mean” in Cantonese. Happy learning!
