bou3 zi2 lou2報紙佬报纸佬
Jyutpingbou3 zi2 lou2
Yalebou jí lóu
Definition
A male newsagent or newsstand vendor.
colloquialpeoplework
How it's used
The suffix 佬 is used here to denote a man who performs a specific job or role, often implying a sense of familiarity or informality. While it can sound slightly blunt or dismissive in some contexts, when referring to neighborhood vendors like a 報紙佬, it is generally neutral and reflects the close-knit nature of local street commerce. It is rarely used to address the person directly, as that might come across as rude or overly casual.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Has the newspaper seller downstairs finished his shift yet?
I buy a newspaper from the newspaper seller every day.
Related words
Common phrases
newspaper stall
Common mistake
Avoid using 佬 for professional roles or people you do not know well, as it can sound disrespectful or derogatory depending on the tone and the specific occupation.
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).



