haa1 bing1 haai5 zoeng3蝦兵蟹將虾兵蟹将

Jyutpinghaa1 bing1 haai5 zoeng3

Yalehā bīng háaih jeung

名詞

Definition

Unimportant and uninfluential people in an organization.

colloquialpeople

How it's used

Originally derived from Chinese mythology where they represent the low-ranking minions of the Dragon King, this idiom is now used to dismiss people who lack real authority or influence. It carries a strong sense of condescension and is often used to belittle an opponent's team or a group of people who are deemed insignificant. You will frequently hear it used in business or political contexts to describe the lack of high-level talent in an organization.

Examples

le1呢gaan1間gung1公si1司dak1得di1啲haa1蝦bing1兵haai5蟹zoeng3將，bin1邊jau5有sat6實lik6力tung4同jan4人zaang1爭？

This company only has small fries, how could they have the strength to compete?

keoi5佢dei6哋zi2只hai6係haa1蝦bing1兵haai5蟹zoeng3將，m4唔sai2使lei5理wui6會keoi5佢dei6哋gong2講mat1乜。

They are just unimportant people, no need to pay attention to what they say.

Common phrases

jat1一baan1班haa1蝦bing1兵haai5蟹zoeng3將

a group of small fries

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe someone who is simply new or inexperienced, as the term specifically implies that the person is fundamentally unimportant or lacks the power to make decisions.