caak6 syun4賊船贼船
Jyutpingcaak6 syun4
Yalechaahk syùhn
Definition
Pirate ship, or figuratively, an immoral group or criminal enterprise.
- pirate ship
- figurativea criminal gang, immoral group, or dishonest enterprise
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Applying this term to a situation implies that once you are involved, it is extremely difficult to back out or quit without suffering consequences. It carries a strong sense of regret and entrapment, often used when someone realizes they have been lured into a shady business or a toxic group. The imagery focuses on the inability to escape a vessel that is already out at sea.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
You really joined the wrong crowd, leave quickly.
This company is like a pirate ship, whoever joins regrets it.
Related words
Common phrases
to join a bad group or venture
to quit a bad group or venture
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a literal pirate ship in a historical or adventure context, as it is almost exclusively used metaphorically in daily speech to describe bad situations or groups.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
