gou3 dei6 zong6告地狀告地状
Jyutpinggou3 dei6 zong6
Yalegou deih johng
Definition
The sad life story written on the ground by beggars to ask for money and help.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Historically, this refers to a written account of one's misfortunes displayed on the ground to solicit sympathy and alms from passersby. While rarely seen in modern Hong Kong, the term persists in literature and older descriptions of street life. It carries a heavy sense of desperation and public exposure of personal tragedy.
Examples
He is writing his sad life story on the ground by the street, looking very miserable.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with a formal legal petition or a written complaint, as the term is strictly associated with the performative act of begging in public spaces.
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.
