gu1 gaa1 gwaa2 jan4孤家寡人
Jyutpinggu1 gaa1 gwaa2 jan4
Yalegū gā gwá yàhn
Definition
An isolated person who is cut off from help or has no friends or supporters.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
Originally referring to the self-referential title of an emperor, this idiom now describes someone who has alienated everyone around them through their own behavior. It carries a slightly stronger sense of self-inflicted isolation compared to simply being lonely. It is often used to describe someone who has burned bridges rather than someone who is just shy or introverted.
Examples
He is always losing his temper, which has left him all alone.
If you don't want to be a loner, you should go talk to people.
Related words
Common phrases
to become a loner
to act as a loner
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply alone or enjoying solitude, as it implies a negative state of being socially ostracized or abandoned by peers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
