kung4 gwai2窮鬼穷鬼
Jyutpingkung4 gwai2
Yalekùhng gwái
Definition
An impoverished or penniless person.
colloquialpeoplemoney
How it's used
Carries a strong derogatory and mocking tone when used to label others. It is rarely used for self-deprecation unless the speaker is being extremely cynical or dramatic about their own financial situation. The term focuses more on the lack of money as a character flaw or social status rather than just a temporary state of being broke.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He always acts like a big spender, but he is actually a penniless guy.
Why are you hanging out with these penniless people?
Related words
Common phrases
damn penniless person
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply going through a rough patch, as it is an insult that implies a permanent or pathetic state of poverty. Using it to describe a friend can be seen as highly offensive and condescending.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
