ce4 paai4邪牌
Jyutpingce4 paai4
Yalechèh pàaih
Definition
An indecent or loose person; a woman of loose morals or a prostitute.
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
Originally referring to illicit sex workers or massage parlors operating outside legal bounds, the term has broadened to describe anyone or anything perceived as morally dubious or shady. It carries a strong sense of disapproval and social stigma, often used by older generations to warn against bad influences. Using it to describe a person implies they are involved in illicit activities or have a questionable lifestyle.
Examples
He always goes to those indecent places, really don't follow his example.
Why did you end up knowing such indecent friends?
Related words
Common phrases
shady or illicit place
shady business or illicit stuff
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being a bad person or a criminal, as it specifically carries connotations of sexual impropriety or illicit nightlife. It is a highly judgmental term that can cause offense if used casually to describe someone's character.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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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.
