go1

Jyutpinggo1
Yale
詞綴Very common

Definition

An honorific suffix used to address a male who is slightly older, higher in rank, or respected.

  1. used to address a respected male or one slightly older or of higher rank
  2. slangused with sarcastic irony when addressing a male
colloquialpeople

How it's used

Adding this suffix to a person's name or a nickname creates an immediate sense of familiarity or respect, often used to bridge the gap between strangers or colleagues. It is frequently employed in a slightly playful or exaggerated way to butter someone up, especially when asking for a favor. When used sarcastically, it can imply that the person is acting overly bossy or self-important.

Examples

Related words

Common phrases

the top boss or leader
a respectful term for a senior male peer

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the term for an actual older brother, which is usually pronounced with a high level tone. When used as a suffix for someone who is not a relative, the tone often shifts to a lower or mid-level pitch to sound more natural and less like a family title.

Grammar color guide

Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector