cou1 saang1 cou1 joeng5粗生粗養粗生粗养
Jyutpingcou1 saang1 cou1 joeng5
Yalechōu sāang chōu yéuhng
Definition
To raise a child, pet, or plant with minimal care, or in less than ideal conditions.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the lack of delicate care or pampering rather than neglect. It implies a resilient nature that survives despite minimal resources or attention. Often used to describe children who grew up independent and tough, or plants that thrive without constant watering or fertilizer.
Examples
When he was little, his family raised him in a very hands-off way.
This type of cactus is very hardy, just put it by the window and it will be fine.
Related words
Common phrases
very hardy or low-maintenance
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe actual child neglect or abuse, as it carries a slightly positive or neutral connotation of being low-maintenance and hardy rather than implying a lack of love.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
