baak3 je1 gung1伯爺公伯爷公
Jyutpingbaak3 je1 gung1
Yalebaak yē gūng
Definition
An old man, or a term of endearment used by an elderly woman for her husband.
- an old man; an elderly male
- slanga term of endearment used by an elderly woman to refer to her husband
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to an elderly man with a sense of respect or endearment, rather than just describing age. While it can be used by elderly women to refer to their own husbands, it is more commonly used by younger people to describe a generic elderly man they encounter in public. It carries a slightly warmer, more colloquial tone than the more formal 老人家.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
That old man really likes playing chess in the park.
Did you see an old man pass by just now?
Related words
Common phrases
kindly old man
Common mistake
Avoid using this term to address an elderly man directly to his face, as it can sound overly informal or even slightly patronizing depending on the tone. It is safer to use it when talking about someone in the third person.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
