gei3 jan4 lei4 haa6寄人籬下寄人篱下
Jyutpinggei3 jan4 lei4 haa6
Yalegei yàhn lèih hah
Definition
To live under another's roof and depend on them for a living.
colloquialpeoplehome
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of emotional constraint and lack of autonomy. It is typically used to describe a situation where someone is forced to suppress their own preferences or personality to avoid offending their host. It implies a power imbalance where the person living in the home feels they must walk on eggshells.
Examples
He has lived under others' roofs since he was small, which made him very introverted.
You are living under someone else's roof, how can you talk to them like that?
Related words
Common phrases
the life of living under another's roof
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for simply staying at a friend's house for a few days. It specifically implies a long-term or forced dependency rather than a casual visit or a short stay.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
