laan1 gaai1躝街
Jyutpinglaan1 gaai1
Yalelāan gāai
Definition
To roam the streets aimlessly, or to go out for fun.
colloquialdaily actionsplaces
How it's used
Suggests a sense of aimlessness or lack of a specific destination, often implying that the person is wasting time or avoiding responsibilities at home. It carries a slightly informal or even mildly critical tone when used by parents or elders to describe someone who is constantly out of the house. It is strictly a verb phrase and cannot be used as a noun to describe the act itself.
Examples
You are always roaming the streets, when will you finally come home?
I have nothing to do today, let's go out and roam the streets for fun.
Related words
Common phrases
always roaming the streets
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply going out to run errands or commute, as it specifically implies wandering without a clear purpose. It is considered colloquial and potentially rude depending on the context, so avoid using it in professional or formal settings.
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.
