laau4 bin1 faan6撈邊瓣捞边瓣
Jyutpinglaau4 bin1 faan6
Yalelàauh bīn faahn
Definition
An inquiry asking someone what line of work they are in or how they make a living.
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
This phrase uses the verb 撈, which carries a slightly informal, streetwise nuance of hustling or making a living. It is often used when you are curious about someone's specific industry or trade rather than just their job title. The term 瓣 refers to a specific sector, branch, or field of activity.
Examples
What kind of work are you doing these days?
What does he do for a living? Why is he so free?
Related words
Common phrases
working in a shady or illegal industry
Common mistake
Avoid using this in formal business settings or when speaking to superiors, as it sounds too casual and potentially intrusive. It is best reserved for conversations with friends or acquaintances where you want to sound like a local.
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.
