faan1 gwai2 lou2番鬼佬
Jyutpingfaan1 gwai2 lou2
Yalefāan gwái lóu
Definition
A Westerner; a white foreigner.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
This term carries a historical nuance of being an outsider, though it is often used neutrally in casual speech today. It specifically refers to people of Western descent and is not typically applied to other foreigners. Using it in professional or formal settings can sound impolite or dated, so it is best reserved for informal conversations among friends.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
That Westerner knows how to speak Cantonese.
Related words
Common phrases
Westerner look
Common mistake
Avoid using this term in front of the person being described, as it can be perceived as derogatory or rude. It is safer to use 外國人 when speaking to or about someone in a polite or neutral context.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
