caak6 jan4賊人贼人
Jyutpingcaak6 jan4
Yalechaahk yàhn
Definition
A thief, robber, or bandit.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to someone committing a crime, often implying a sense of malice or a more serious criminal act than just petty theft. It is frequently used in news reports or when describing a dramatic situation where someone has been caught in the act. While it sounds slightly more formal than the common term 賊, it is still perfectly natural in spoken Cantonese when describing a criminal.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a petty shoplifter or a child who steals a snack, as it carries a heavier connotation of a dangerous criminal or a villain. For minor theft, people usually prefer using 賊 or even descriptive phrases like 偷嘢嘅人.
Grammar color guide
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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.
