lou1 gaa1撈家捞家

Jyutpinglou1 gaa1
Yalelōu gā
名詞

Definition

A racketeer, shady operator, or person involved in illegal business activities.

colloquialpeople

How it's used

Originally referring to someone who makes a living through questionable or illicit means, the term has evolved to describe anyone who operates in a grey area or lacks professional integrity. It carries a strong connotation of someone who is street-smart but untrustworthy. While it can be used to describe actual criminals, it is often used hyperbolically to describe people who are just overly cunning or manipulative in business.

Measure word

go3go

Examples

He always hangs out with shady characters, it's very dangerous.
That guy looks more like a racketeer than a legitimate businessman.

Common phrases

to engage in illegal or grey-market business

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 撈, which is a common verb meaning to stir, mix, or to make a living. While 撈家 contains the verb 撈, it specifically refers to the person and the shady nature of their work, not just someone who is working hard to earn money.

Grammar color guide

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