diu3 hoe1 gwai2吊靴鬼
Jyutpingdiu3 hoe1 gwai2
Yalediu hēu gwái
Definition
A clingy person who follows someone around closely and openly.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This term literally translates to a ghost hanging onto a shoe, capturing the image of someone stuck to another person's heel. It is used exclusively to describe someone who is overly attached or intrusive in a social or romantic context. While it implies annoyance, it is often used in a slightly teasing or informal way among friends to call out clingy behavior.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is always acting like a cling-on, following his girlfriend everywhere.
Stop being a cling-on, give the person some space, okay?
Related words
Common phrases
to act like a cling-on
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with a stalker, as 吊靴鬼 implies the person is physically present and visible, whereas stalking usually involves secrecy or harassment.
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.
