deng3 bou1掟煲
Jyutpingdeng3 bou1
Yaledeng bōu
Definition
To break up with a partner; to end a romantic relationship.
slangpeopleslang
How it's used
Literally meaning to throw the clay pot, this term originates from the old practice of throwing household items during a heated argument. It carries a slightly dramatic or informal tone, often implying a messy or noisy separation rather than a quiet mutual agreement. Use it when talking about friends or peers, but avoid it in formal or professional settings.
Examples
The two of them broke up last week.
Related words
Common phrases
break-up fee or compensation
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the formal term 分手. While both mean to break up, 掟煲 specifically evokes the image of a volatile or sudden split, making it inappropriate for describing a calm or amicable parting of ways.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
