hau6 saang1 zai2後生仔后生仔
Jyutpinghau6 saang1 zai2
Yalehauh sāang jái
Definition
Young man; a young male.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to a young male, but it is often used by older generations to address any young person regardless of gender. It carries a slightly informal and sometimes patronizing tone depending on the speaker's age. When referring to young people in general, the plural form 後生仔女 is more inclusive.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
That young man is very polite.
Did you see that young man earlier?
Related words
Common phrases
young people
Common mistake
Avoid using it to address a young woman directly, as it specifically denotes a male. Use 後生女 for a young woman instead.
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.
