gaa1 ding1家丁

Jyutpinggaa1 ding1

Yalegā dīng

名詞

Definition

A male servant in a household.

neutralpeoplehome

How it's used

Refers specifically to male domestic staff in a traditional household setting, often implying a historical or period drama context. It is rarely used to describe modern domestic helpers, who are typically referred to as 工人 or 姐姐 regardless of gender. Using this term for a modern employee may sound overly formal or archaic.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

ji5以cin4前di1啲daai3大zaak6宅wui2會jau5有hou2好do1多gaa1家ding1丁。

Big houses in the past used to have many male servants.

keoi5佢uk1屋kei2企ceng2請zo2咗go3個gaa1家ding1丁bong1幫sau2手bun1搬je5嘢。

His family hired a male servant to help move things.

Common phrases

ceng2請gaa1家ding1丁

to hire a male servant

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a general term for any male worker, but it specifically implies a domestic or household role. It is not appropriate for describing a male employee in a business or office setting.