lou1 pin1 mun4撈偏門捞偏门

Jyutpinglou1 pin1 mun4

Yalelōu pīn mùhn

Definition

To earn a living from illegal business or illicit activities.

colloquialworkmoney

How it's used

Refers specifically to activities that exist in a legal gray area or are outright criminal, often implying a sense of desperation or moral compromise. It carries a strong negative connotation and is used to warn others or describe someone who has strayed from a conventional career path. The term is deeply rooted in local street culture and is rarely used in professional or formal settings.

Examples

keoi5佢zeoi3最gan6近hou2好ci5似lou1撈gan2緊pin1偏mun2門，zaan6賺cin2錢hou2好faai3快。

He seems to be working in an illegal business lately, making money really fast.

nei5你cin1千kei4祈m4唔hou2好heoi3去lou1撈pin1偏mun2門，hou2好ngai4危him2險㗎。

You must never get involved in illegal work, it is very dangerous.

Related words

Common phrases

lou1撈pin1偏

to work in illegal business (shortened form)

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply having a side job or a part-time gig, which is referred to as 撈兼職. Using this term to describe a legitimate second job will cause significant confusion or offense.