hek3 hot3 wun6 lok6吃喝玩樂吃喝玩乐
Jyutpinghek3 hot3 wun6 lok6
Yalehek hot wuhn lohk
Definition
To indulge in eating, drinking, and having fun; to seek pleasure and enjoy life.
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
This phrase is often used with a slightly critical or judgmental tone when describing someone who lacks ambition or responsibility. While it literally translates to eating, drinking, playing, and having fun, it functions as a single unit to describe a hedonistic lifestyle. It is frequently used to contrast someone who is lazy against someone who is hardworking.
Examples
He only knows how to eat, drink, and play all day, never thinking about the future.
Related words
Common phrases
only know how to idle away time
a life of eating, drinking, and playing
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal list of activities, but it is an idiom describing a lifestyle rather than a specific plan for the day. Using it to describe a productive holiday or a healthy social gathering can sound like you are accusing the participants of being aimless or superficial.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
