gou1 maai5高買高买

Jyutpinggou1 maai5

Yalegōu máaih

動詞

Definition

To shoplift; to steal goods from a store.

writtenshoppingother

How it's used

Originating from police jargon and formal legal terminology, this term is widely understood by the public but carries a distinctly official tone. Using it in casual conversation often sounds like you are quoting a security sign or a news report rather than describing an action in everyday life. For informal contexts, people prefer using the more direct verb 偷嘢.

Examples

go2嗰go3個jan4人喺hai2超ciu1市si5高gou1買maai5俾bei2人jan4捉zuk1到dou3呀。

That person was caught shoplifting at the supermarket.

nei5你zi1知m4唔zi1知gou1高maai5買hai6係faan6犯faat3法㗎？

Do you know that shoplifting is against the law?

Common phrases

jim4嚴gam3禁gou1高maai5買

shoplifting strictly prohibited

sip3涉jim4嫌gou1高maai5買

suspected of shoplifting

Common mistake

Avoid using this as a general verb for stealing. It is strictly reserved for the act of stealing goods from a retail store, so it cannot be used for stealing a wallet or a friend's idea.