jau5 bou2有寶有宝
Jyutpingjau5 bou2
Yaleyáuh bóu
Definition
Valuable, important, or highly beneficial; often used sarcastically to mock something as being no big deal.
- valuable, important, or highly beneficial
- slangused sarcastically to mock something as being no big deal
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Often used sarcastically to deflate someone's ego or to mock their attachment to something objectively worthless. It functions as a predicate adjective or a verb phrase, implying that the person is overvaluing an object or their own importance. When applied to a person, it suggests they are acting arrogant or self-important.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal meaning of having a treasure. The sarcastic usage is far more common in daily speech, so be careful when using it to describe someone's actual possessions, as it may sound dismissive rather than complimentary.
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.
