gau2 zai2 deoi2狗仔隊狗仔队
Jyutpinggau2 zai2 deoi2
Yalegáu jái déui
Definition
Paparazzi; photographers or reporters who follow celebrities to get gossip and photos.
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
Originally a term for police surveillance units, the meaning shifted to refer exclusively to aggressive tabloid photographers. It carries a strong negative connotation, implying an intrusive or unethical approach to gathering news. The term is widely understood across all age groups in Hong Kong due to the city's intense celebrity culture.
Measure word
deoi2隊déuiExamples
That group of paparazzi is always waiting at the hotel entrance to take photos.
Do you know which celebrity is being followed by the paparazzi?
Related words
Common phrases
to avoid the paparazzi
paparazzi stalking
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe legitimate, respectful news reporters or journalists, as it specifically targets those who use invasive tactics. It is not a neutral term for the press.
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.
