daai6 je4大爺大爷
Jyutpingdaai6 je4
Yaledaaih yèh
Definition
A wealthy and powerful man, or a lazy person who refuses to help with work.
- dateda wealthy and powerful man; lord; master
- figurativea lazy person who sits around doing nothing while others work; couch potato
- one's father's elder brother; uncle
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
Originally a respectful term for a master or a wealthy man, the word has evolved into a biting sarcastic label for someone who acts entitled and lazy. It specifically targets people who sit idle while others around them are busy working. Using this term implies that the person is behaving as if they are superior and entitled to be served.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Why are you sitting there like a lazy master instead of helping with the dishes?
He is lazy at work and acts like a spoiled master once he gets home.
Related words
Common phrases
to act like a spoiled master
like a complete couch potato
Common mistake
Do not use this to address someone directly in a polite or neutral context, as it carries a strong tone of mockery and confrontation. It is almost exclusively used to complain about someone's lack of contribution or arrogant attitude.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
