laai1 zai2 laai1 sam1 gon1孻仔拉心肝

Jyutpinglaai1 zai2 laai1 sam1 gon1

Yalelāai jái lāai sām gōn

Definition

To spoil or deeply dote on the youngest child, who is typically the favorite.

colloquialfamilypeople

How it's used

This idiom specifically targets the cultural tendency to dote on the youngest child in a family. It carries a slightly critical tone, implying that the excessive affection or lack of discipline is detrimental to the child's character development. While it describes a common family dynamic, it is usually used by outsiders or elders to point out overindulgence.

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日dou1都laai1孻zai2仔laai1拉sam1心gon1肝，gaau2搞dou3到go3個zai2仔hou2好jam6任sing3性。

He always spoils his youngest son, making the boy very willful.

nei5你m4唔hou2好zoi3再laai1孻zai2仔laai1拉sam1心gon1肝laa1啦，zoi3再gam3咁joeng6樣wui2會hoi6害zo2咗keoi5佢㗎。

Stop spoiling your youngest child, it will only hurt him in the end.

Common phrases

gwo3過fan6分laai1孻zai2仔laai1拉sam1心gon1肝

excessively spoiling the youngest child

Common mistake

Do not use this phrase for just any child who is spoiled; it is strictly reserved for the youngest child in a family. If you want to describe a spoiled child in general, use 寵壞 instead.