lam4 lou5 m4 gwo3 dak1 sai3臨老唔過得世临老唔过得世
Jyutpinglam4 lou5 m4 gwo3 dak1 sai3
Yalelàhm lóuh m̀h gwo dāk sai
Definition
To be unable to spend one's final years of life in comfort.
colloquialpeoplemoney
How it's used
This phrase carries a strong sense of warning or moral judgment regarding financial planning and life choices. It specifically highlights the irony or tragedy of someone who might have lived comfortably for decades but failed to secure their future, leading to hardship precisely when they are most vulnerable. It is often used as a cautionary tale to encourage younger people to be prudent.
Examples
He didn't save money when he was young, so he can't live comfortably in his old age.
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general term for aging, but it specifically implies a failure to prepare for the future. It is not used to describe natural aging or health decline, but rather the socioeconomic outcome of poor life management.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
