haa6 jan4下人
Jyutpinghaa6 jan4
Yalehah yàhn
Definition
Servant or maid; a domestic helper of low social status.
colloquialpeoplehome
How it's used
This term carries a strong historical and hierarchical connotation, implying a clear social divide between the employer and the employee. It is rarely used in modern daily life to describe domestic helpers, as it sounds condescending or archaic. Most people today prefer using terms like 工人 or 姐姐 to refer to domestic staff.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Wealthy families used to employ many servants.
He treats his servants like family members.
Related words
Common phrases
to order servants around
Common mistake
Avoid using this word in casual conversation when referring to a modern domestic helper, as it can be perceived as offensive or elitist. It is best reserved for period dramas or historical discussions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
