lou5 goeng1老薑老姜
Jyutpinglou5 goeng1
Yalelóuh gēung
Definition
An experienced person who has seen a lot of the world; a veteran.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Refers specifically to someone who is seasoned, shrewd, and difficult to deceive due to their long experience. It carries a sense of respect for their ability to navigate complex situations without being easily manipulated. While it can be used to describe someone older, the emphasis is always on their competence and accumulated wisdom rather than just their age.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is an old hand in this industry, just ask him if anything happens.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply elderly, as it specifically highlights their expertise or cunning. Calling an elderly person who lacks life experience or street smarts a 老薑 would be incorrect and confusing.
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.
