bun3 lou6 ceot1 gaa1半路出家

Jyutpingbun3 lou6 ceot1 gaa1

Yalebun louh chēut gā

動詞Rare

Definition

To switch careers or take up a new trade without formal training or a solid foundation.

to switch careers or take up a new trade without formal training
literalto become a monk or nun later in life

colloquialworkpeople

How it's used

Originally referring to someone who becomes a monk or nun later in life, this term has evolved into a common metaphor for anyone changing career paths without formal background. It carries a nuance of being an outsider or a latecomer to a professional field. While it can imply a lack of deep foundation, it is often used in a neutral or even slightly admiring tone to highlight someone's courage or adaptability in learning a new craft.

Examples

keoi5佢ji5以cin4前zou6做wui6會gai3計，bun3半lou6路ceot1出gaa1家zou6做cyu4廚si1師dou1都gei2幾jau5有tin1天fan6份。

He used to be an accountant, he is quite talented for someone who switched to being a chef later in life.

nei5你bun3半lou6路ceot1出gaa1家hok6學se2寫cing4程sik1式，wui2會m4唔wui2會gok3覺dak1得hou2好naan4難aa1呀？

Is it hard for you to learn programming since you switched into this field from something else?

Common phrases

bun3半lou6路ceot1出gaa1家zou6做

to switch to a new career as

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe someone who is simply a beginner or a novice. It specifically requires the context of switching from a previous, different career or field of expertise.