jau3 ci2幼齒幼齿
Jyutpingjau3 ci2
Yaleyau chí
Definition
An inexperienced novice or rookie in a trade or industry.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Originally borrowed from Taiwanese slang, this term carries a slightly cynical or dismissive tone when referring to someone as naive or green. It is frequently used in professional or social settings to highlight a lack of seniority or life experience rather than just age. While it can refer to young people, it focuses specifically on their lack of practical wisdom in a given field.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
That company hired a lot of inexperienced newbies to work.
Related words
Common phrases
workplace novice
Common mistake
Do not use this term in formal business settings or when speaking to someone you want to show respect to, as it can sound condescending or belittling. It is strictly for casual conversation among peers.
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.
