lam4 gei3臨記临记
Definition
An extra in a film, television show, or play, usually playing a minor role with few or no lines.
How it's used
Short for 臨時演員, this term specifically refers to background actors who are hired for short-term, non-speaking roles. It carries a slightly informal or even self-deprecating tone, highlighting the transient and low-status nature of the work compared to professional actors. You will often hear it used in the context of film production logistics or when someone is describing a temporary, low-impact role they played in a larger event.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with a general term for a substitute or temporary worker in other industries. It is strictly tied to the film and television industry and would sound unnatural if used to describe a temporary office worker or a substitute teacher.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
