daa2 gwan2打滾打滚
Jyutpingdaa2 gwan2
Yaledá gwán
Definition
To roll about, or to make a living and spend one's life in a particular environment.
- to roll about; to wallow
- figurativeto make a living or get by in a particular environment
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
This term implies a sense of accumulated experience and survival skills gained through long-term immersion in a specific professional or social circle. It carries a slightly gritty connotation, suggesting that the person has navigated the ups and downs of that environment rather than just holding a job there. It is almost exclusively used for careers or social spheres where one has 'paid their dues'.
Examples
He has spent many years working in the entertainment industry.
Related words
Common phrases
to have spent time in the business world
to have spent time in the underworld
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe simply working somewhere for a short time. It specifically emphasizes a long, seasoned history of navigating a complex environment, so it sounds unnatural if applied to a casual or temporary job.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
