bo1 lo4 gai1波羅雞波罗鸡
Jyutpingbo1 lo4 gai1
Yalebō lòh gāi
Definition
A scrounger or freeloader who takes advantage of others by exploiting personal relationships.
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
Originating from the Cantonese slang phrase 波羅雞，一味靠黐, this term relies on the pun between 黐 meaning to stick and the sticky nature of the traditional paper-mache chicken toy. It specifically targets people who habitually rely on social connections to get free meals, gifts, or favors. Using this label is a direct and often harsh criticism of someone's lack of independence or integrity.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
He is always a scrounger, he never wants to pay the bill whenever he goes to a dinner gathering.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with literal chickens or actual food items, as it is strictly a derogatory term for a person. It is not used in a lighthearted way among close friends unless you are intentionally insulting their habit of freeloading.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
