lam3 gung1 tau4冧宮頭冧宫头
Jyutpinglam3 gung1 tau4
Yalelam gūng tàuh
Definition
Roof, used figuratively to mean shelter or protection.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Refers specifically to the act of providing shelter or protection, often in a social or hierarchical context. It carries a slightly informal or underworld connotation, as it implies someone powerful is shielding another from trouble. The imagery evokes the idea of a roof covering someone to keep them safe from the elements.
Examples
He was lucky to find a big brother to protect him.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe literal architecture or physical roofs, as it is strictly a figurative expression for protection or patronage.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
