daa2 zyu6 gaa1 gung1打住家工
Jyutpingdaa2 zyu6 gaa1 gung1
Yaledá jyuh gā gūng
Definition
To work as a live-in domestic helper, maid, or nanny.
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
This term specifically implies a live-in arrangement where the worker resides in the employer's home. It carries a slightly more informal tone than the more common term 工人, which is the standard way to refer to a domestic helper in Hong Kong. While it describes the nature of the work, it is often used when discussing the specific lifestyle constraints of living where one works.
Examples
She works as a live-in nanny abroad to take care of the kids.
Are you planning to work as a domestic helper forever?
Related words
Common phrases
to go work as a live-in helper
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply working as a helper, as the term strongly emphasizes the live-in aspect. Using it to describe someone who commutes daily would be inaccurate.
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.
