hat1 ji1乞兒乞儿
Jyutpinghat1 ji1
Yalehāt yī
Definition
Beggar; a person who asks others for money and food.
- beggar; a person who asks others for money and food
- figurativea selfish, stingy, or contemptible person
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Using this term to describe someone is highly offensive and derogatory. While it literally refers to a person who begs for money, it is frequently used as an insult to label someone as pathetic, stingy, or desperate. Avoid using it in polite conversation to describe actual homeless individuals, as it carries a strong social stigma.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
That beggar has been sitting on the street for a long time.
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the verb 乞討, which is a more formal or neutral way to describe the act of begging. Calling a person a 乞兒 is a direct personal attack, whereas describing the action is more descriptive.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
