jau4 gai1游雞游鸡
Jyutpingjau4 gai1
Yaleyàuh gāi
Definition
A loiterer or someone charged with the offense of loitering.
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
Originating from police jargon, this term specifically describes someone hanging around a public area without a clear purpose, often implying suspicious intent. While it carries a negative connotation of being a nuisance or a potential criminal, it is also used colloquially to describe someone just wasting time in a public space. It is distinct from simply waiting for someone, as it implies a lack of destination or productive activity.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
There are a few loiterers hanging around over there, be careful.
He is always loitering in the mall and got chased away by security.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal meaning of a chicken swimming, as the term is strictly a slang label for a person. Using this word in a formal setting or to someone you do not know well can be perceived as aggressive or derogatory.
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.
