giu1 sang1 gwaan3 joeng5嬌生慣養娇生惯养
Jyutpinggiu1 sang1 gwaan3 joeng5
Yalegīu sāng gwaan yéuhng
Definition
To be pampered, spoiled, and raised in luxury without learning self-care.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong critical tone, implying that someone lacks independence or resilience due to over-protection. It is frequently used by older generations to describe younger people who are perceived as soft or unable to handle basic life challenges. Unlike simply being pampered, it specifically highlights the long-term negative impact on a person's character and self-sufficiency.
Examples
He was spoiled growing up, how can he take care of himself?
Don't be so spoiled, you need help with everything.
Related words
Common phrases
to have a spoiled personality
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a neutral description of a comfortable upbringing, but it is almost always used as a criticism or a complaint about someone's lack of capability.
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.
