jat1 zek3 gau2 gam2一隻狗噉一只狗啖
Jyutpingjat1 zek3 gau2 gam2
Yaleyāt jek gáu gám
Definition
Exhausted, submissive, or lacking dignity; behaving or being treated like a dog.
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
This phrase is used to describe someone who is overly servile, fawning, or sycophantic, specifically towards a person in power. It carries a strong negative connotation of losing one's dignity to gain favor. It is almost exclusively used to criticize someone's submissive behavior in a professional or social hierarchy.
Examples
He acts like a dog toward his boss all the time, it is really pathetic.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply loyal or obedient, as it specifically implies a lack of self-respect and a desperate need for approval. It is an insult, not a description of personality traits.
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.
