baak6 tau4 lou2白頭佬白头佬
Definition
A white-haired man, or a traffic police officer.
- a white-haired or grey-haired man
- slanga traffic police officer, referring to their white helmets
How it's used
This term functions as a slang nickname for traffic police officers because of their distinctive white helmets. It can also be used literally to describe any older man with grey or white hair, so context is essential to determine if the speaker is referring to a police officer or just someone's appearance. Using it for police is common in informal settings, especially when warning others about speed traps.
Measure word
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Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Be careful not to use this term in a formal or professional setting, as it can sound disrespectful or overly casual. When referring to a police officer, ensure the context makes it clear you are talking about a traffic cop, otherwise, people might simply think you are describing an elderly man.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
