laat3 lei1瘌痢
Definition
Favus; a skin disease causing scalp infections and patchy hair loss.
How it's used
Refers specifically to a fungal scalp infection that causes hair loss and crusty patches, often used to describe the appearance of the scalp rather than just the medical condition. It carries a strong negative connotation and is sometimes used as a derogatory label for someone with a messy or unkempt appearance. Unlike 鬼剃頭, which refers to alopecia areata caused by stress or autoimmune issues, 瘌痢 is infectious and typically associated with poor hygiene.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 鬼剃頭, which is sudden hair loss in circular patches without inflammation or crusting. Using 瘌痢 to describe someone's hair loss can be very offensive, so avoid using it as a casual descriptor for baldness.
Grammar color guide
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.
