laau4 maai4撈埋捞埋
Jyutpinglaau4 maai4
Yalelàauh màaih
Definition
To combine or mix together, or to work in an additional field apart from one's own.
- to combine; to mix together
- to also work in another field apart from one's own
colloquialworkdaily actions
How it's used
This term carries a strong sense of juggling multiple roles or side hustles, often implying that the person is hardworking or opportunistic. When used for physical objects, it suggests a messy or indiscriminate blending of things that should ideally be kept separate. It is frequently used to describe the common Hong Kong practice of having a side income stream.
Examples
His main job is accounting, but he also works as a personal shopper at night.
Don't mix up business matters with personal ones when you talk.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 撈亂, which specifically means to mix things up by mistake or to confuse the identity of two items. 撈埋 implies a deliberate combination or an additional role, whereas 撈亂 implies an error in sorting or recognition.
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.
