bat1 kau4 jan4不求人
Jyutpingbat1 kau4 jan4
Yalebāt kàuh yàhn
Definition
Backscratcher; a long claw-shaped tool used to scratch one's own back without needing help from others.
colloquialhomedaily actions
How it's used
The term relies on a clever pun where the literal meaning of not needing others' help aligns perfectly with the function of the tool. It is a classic example of how Cantonese uses idiomatic, descriptive names for everyday household objects. While most people use the term for the physical tool, it can occasionally be used figuratively to describe someone who is self reliant.
Measure word
zi1支jīExamples
My back is so itchy, I'll grab the back scratcher to scratch it first.
Related words
Common phrases
grab a back scratcher
Common mistake
Learners often treat this as a verb phrase because of the literal meaning, but it is strictly a noun referring to the object itself. Do not use it to describe the act of being independent.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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).
