gwai2 lou2鬼佬

Jyutpinggwai2 lou2

Yalegwái lóu

名Common

Definition

Gweilo; a white man or Westerner.

colloquialpeople

How it's used

Originally a derogatory term, it has evolved into a common, often neutral way to refer to Westerners in Hong Kong. While many locals use it without malicious intent, it remains informal and can still be perceived as offensive or rude depending on the context and tone. It is best avoided in professional or formal settings where terms like 外國人 are more appropriate.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

go2嗰go3個gwai2鬼lou2佬gong2講gwong2廣dung1東waa2話hou2好lau4流lei6利aa3呀。

That foreigner speaks Cantonese very fluently.

nei5你sik1識m4唔sik1識go2嗰go3個gwai2鬼lou2佬aa3呀？

Do you know that foreigner?

Common phrases

gwai2鬼lou2佬caan1餐teng1廳

Western-style restaurant

Common mistake

Avoid using this term in front of people you do not know well, as it can be interpreted as xenophobic or disrespectful. It is strictly used for white or Western foreigners and should never be applied to people of other ethnicities.