bak1 dau2 sing1北斗星
Jyutpingbak1 dau2 sing1
Yalebāk dáu sīng
Definition
The Big Dipper, or figuratively, a social worker.
- the Big Dipper; Ursa Major
- dateda social worker who guides and helps vulnerable groups
colloquialpeople
How it's used
This term originated from a popular 1970s TV drama series that highlighted the work of social workers in Hong Kong. It carries a nostalgic and respectful tone, reflecting a time when social work was seen as a guiding light for the underprivileged. While still understood by older generations, it is less common in modern daily speech compared to the standard term 社工.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
When he was little, he really wanted to grow up to be a social worker to help others.
Do you know why people used to call social workers the Big Dipper?
Related words
Common phrases
to work as a social worker
Common mistake
Do not use this term in a professional or formal context today, as it is considered dated slang. Using it might confuse younger listeners who are not familiar with the 1970s television reference.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
