caak6 lou2賊佬贼佬
Jyutpingcaak6 lou2
Yalechaahk lóu
Definition
A thief, robber, or burglar.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
This term carries a slightly informal and sometimes derogatory tone, often used when describing a criminal in a narrative or a news report context. While it specifically refers to a thief or robber, it is frequently used in casual conversation to describe someone who has stolen something, regardless of the scale of the theft. It feels more grounded and descriptive than the more formal terms for criminal activity.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
A thief broke into the house earlier.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this term to refer to a pickpocket, which is specifically called a 扒手. Using 賊佬 for a minor petty thief can sound overly dramatic or aggressive.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
