haang4 lou5 man4行老文
Jyutpinghaang4 lou5 man4
Yalehàahng lóuh màhn
Definition
A pickpocket.
slangpeopleslang
How it's used
This term is specific to Hong Kong street slang and carries a slightly old-fashioned, gritty tone. It is rarely used in formal writing or news reports, where terms like 扒手 are preferred. The term implies a professional or habitual thief who operates in crowded public spaces.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Be careful, there are many pickpockets around here.
His wallet was stolen by a pickpocket.
Related words
Common phrases
beware of pickpockets
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general thieves or robbers, as it specifically refers to someone skilled at stealing items from pockets or bags without the victim noticing. Using it to describe a violent mugger would be inaccurate.
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.
