loeng5 so1 ziu1兩梳蕉两梳蕉
Jyutpingloeng5 so1 ziu1
Yaleléuhng sō jīu
Definition
To visit someone empty-handed without bringing any gifts.
colloquialpeoplefood
How it's used
Refers to the social faux pas of arriving at someone's home for a visit without bringing a small gift, such as fruit or a box of pastries. The imagery comes from the idea of carrying two bunches of bananas, which are cheap and common, implying that even the most basic token of appreciation is missing. It is frequently used in a teasing or admonishing tone to remind someone of local etiquette.
Examples
Don't visit relatives empty-handed.
Are you planning to go to their house empty-handed?
Related words
Common phrases
to go empty-handed
Common mistake
Do not interpret this literally as a request for bananas. It is strictly an idiom describing a lack of manners or social preparation when visiting.
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.
