dau1 mau1兜踎
Jyutpingdau1 mau1
Yaledāu māu
Definition
Scruffy, shabby, or idle; describing someone who is untidy, dirty, or doing nothing.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Describes a state of being unkempt, down on one's luck, or aimless. It carries a slightly derogatory or judgmental tone, implying that the person has let their appearance or life situation slide. It is often used to describe someone who looks like they have been sleeping rough or living without a proper routine.
Examples
Why did you let yourself get so scruffy?
He is always hanging around on the street looking dishevelled, like he has nothing to do.
Related words
Common phrases
looking completely dishevelled
a scruffy appearance
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being poor or having no money. While a person who is 兜踎 might be struggling financially, the word specifically highlights the messy, unkempt, or aimless vibe they project.
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.
