laan6 san1 laan6 sai3爛身爛勢烂身烂势
Jyutpinglaan6 san1 laan6 sai3
Yalelaahn sān laahn sai
Definition
To dress in tattered, worn-out, or shabby clothing.
colloquialclothingdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom describes someone whose appearance is disheveled, unkempt, or wearing clothes that are visibly torn or falling apart. It carries a strong sense of disapproval or judgment, implying that the person looks sloppy or lacks self-respect in their presentation. It is frequently used by older generations to criticize younger people's fashion choices, especially if they wear intentionally distressed or ripped clothing.
Examples
Why are you going to a job interview dressed in such rags?
He usually dresses in tatters even when going to school.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply poor or homeless, as it specifically focuses on the state of the clothing and the resulting unkempt appearance rather than socioeconomic status.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
