lap1 saam1笠衫
Jyutpinglap1 saam1
Yalelāp sāam
Definition
An undershirt, t-shirt, or pullover.
colloquialclothing
How it's used
Refers specifically to a thin, often white, cotton garment worn directly against the skin under a shirt or uniform. It is distinct from a regular t-shirt, which is generally considered outerwear. Older generations use this term more frequently than younger speakers, who might simply use the English loanword t-shirt.
Measure word
gin2件gínExamples
It is so cold, remember to wear an undershirt.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with a regular t-shirt meant to be seen. Wearing a worn-out or stained undershirt as a standalone top is generally considered sloppy or inappropriate in public settings.
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.
