gaai1 si5 zai2街市仔

Jyutpinggaai1 si5 zai2

Yalegāai síh jái

名詞

Definition

Someone who hangs around, lives, or grew up in wet markets; usually implies a lowly social status.

colloquialpeopleplaces

How it's used

This term carries a strong connotation of social class and upbringing, often used to describe someone whose life revolves around the rough-and-tumble environment of traditional wet markets. It implies a lack of formal education or refined manners, sometimes used by others to belittle someone's background. While it can be used self-deprecatingly, it is generally considered derogatory when applied to others.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

keoi5佢sai3細go3個喺hai2街gaai1市si5大，daai6係hai6個go3街gaai1市si5仔zai2嚟㗎。

He grew up in the wet market, he is a market kid.

nei5你m4唔hou2好tai2睇siu2小jan4人dei2哋hai6係gaai1街si5市zai2仔aa4呀。

Don't look down on people just because they are market kids.

Common phrases

ceot1出san1身gaai1街si5市zai2仔

to come from a wet market background

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 街市佬, which specifically refers to a male vendor or worker in the market. 街市仔 emphasizes the person's identity as someone 'from' that environment rather than just their occupation.