lau4 on3 dai2留案底
Jyutpinglau4 on3 dai2
Yalelàuh on dái
Definition
To get or have a criminal record.
colloquialother
How it's used
Refers specifically to the permanent record of a criminal conviction maintained by the police. It is frequently used as a warning to deter someone from committing a crime, emphasizing the long term impact on future employment and travel opportunities. The phrase is strictly reserved for legal contexts and carries a serious, cautionary tone.
Examples
It is really not worth it to get a criminal record from fighting.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being arrested or questioned by police. A person only gets a 案底 after being convicted of an offense in court, so using it to describe a minor police interaction is factually incorrect.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
