lau1 jau1褸丘褛丘
Jyutpinglau1 jau1
Yalelāu yāu
Definition
Sloppy, messy, and untidy in one's clothing, hair, or overall appearance.
colloquialdescriptionsclothing
How it's used
Focuses specifically on a disheveled or unkempt appearance that suggests a lack of care or effort. It is commonly used to critique someone's grooming or fashion sense when they appear in public looking neglected. The term carries a slightly judgmental tone, implying that the person should have put in more effort to look presentable.
Examples
Your hair is so messy, go and comb it properly.
He usually dresses so sloppily, who knew he would look so sharp today.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with words describing general dirtiness or filth, as it specifically refers to the arrangement and state of hair or clothing. It is not used to describe a messy room or a disorganized desk.
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.
