jin1 jau5煙友烟友
Jyutpingjin1 jau5
Yaleyīn yáuh
Definition
An opium addict; a person who smokes opium.
colloquialpeoplehealth
How it's used
This term is specifically associated with historical opium use rather than modern drug addiction. It carries a strong sense of social stigma and is often used in a narrative or historical context to describe someone from a bygone era. Using it to describe modern drug users is inaccurate and can be confusing as it lacks the contemporary nuance of illicit substance abuse.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He used to be an opium addict, luckily he has quit.
Back then, many opium addicts used to hang out here.
Related words
Common phrases
a heavy opium addict
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 煙民, which is a common, neutral term for someone who smokes cigarettes. Using 煙友 to describe a regular cigarette smoker is incorrect and sounds overly dramatic or archaic.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
