jung2 jyun4冗員冗员
Jyutpingjung2 jyun4
Yaleyúng yùhn
Definition
Surplus staff or deadwood; members of an organization who are incompetent and burden the group.
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to employees who contribute little to nothing while drawing a salary, often implying they are protected by seniority or nepotism. It carries a strong negative connotation and is typically used when criticizing organizational inefficiency or budget cuts. Unlike general terms for lazy people, it emphasizes the person as a drain on the company resources.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
The company hired a lot of deadwood, it is such a waste of money.
Who do you think is the deadwood in the department?
Related words
Common phrases
to lay off surplus staff
to purge deadwood
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being lazy or slow. It specifically implies that the person is redundant or a burden to the organization's structure, rather than just an individual personality trait.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
