laan6 zai2爛仔烂仔
Jyutpinglaan6 zai2
Yalelaahn jái
Definition
Hooligan, rascal, or gangster.
- delinquent youth; hooligan; rascal
- triad member; gangster
colloquialpeople
How it's used
This term carries a strong sense of social disapproval and is often used to describe someone who lacks discipline or is associated with street gangs. It is distinctly derogatory and should be avoided in formal settings or when speaking to people you do not know well. While it implies a rough or aggressive nature, it is less specific than terms like 黑社會 which refer directly to organized crime members.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
That hooligan is always picking fights on the street.
Why are you hanging out with these hooligans?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 爛人, which is a broader term for a person of low moral character or a scoundrel, whereas 爛仔 specifically evokes the image of a street-level troublemaker or thug.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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.
