diu3 bou1吊煲
Jyutpingdiu3 bou1
Yalediu bōu
Definition
To have no food left to cook; to be unable to make ends meet or feed oneself.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Originating from the image of a pot hanging over a fire, this term describes someone who is incapable of taking care of their own basic needs. It carries a strong sense of criticism and is often used by parents or older generations to describe young adults who lack life skills or independence. It implies a state of being perpetually dependent on others for support.
Examples
He is so old yet still cannot fend for himself, he is really useless.
Related words
Common phrases
to be dependent for one's whole life
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with literal cooking terms, as it is strictly used metaphorically to describe a person's lack of self-sufficiency. It is quite a harsh term, so avoid using it in professional or polite social settings.
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.
