gau6 haai4舊鞋旧鞋
Jyutpinggau6 haai4
Yalegauh hàaih
Definition
Old shoes, or a slang term for an ex-girlfriend.
- old shoes
- slangex-girlfriend
colloquialpeopleclothing
How it's used
Using this term to refer to an ex-girlfriend is highly objectifying and carries a dismissive, derogatory tone. It implies the person is worn out or discarded, much like a pair of old footwear. While it is common in some male-dominated social circles, it is considered rude and disrespectful in polite company.
Measure word
deoi3對deuiExamples
These old shoes are worn out, throw them away.
I heard he got back together with his ex-girlfriend.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this term to describe a former partner in a serious or respectful conversation, as it reduces the person to a disposable object. Stick to neutral terms like 前度 when speaking about past relationships.
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.
