lou5 gwai2老鬼
Jyutpinglou5 gwai2
Yalelóuh gwái
Definition
An old person, or an experienced senior or veteran.
- slangold person
- slangan experienced person; a senior or veteran
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Carries a dual nature depending on context: it can be a respectful way to acknowledge someone's long-standing experience in a specific field or social group, or a dismissive, ageist slur for an elderly person. When used in a workplace or hobby group, it highlights seniority and institutional knowledge rather than just chronological age.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He has worked at this company for a long time; he is an old hand here.
Is that old guy throwing a tantrum again?
Related words
Common phrases
company veteran
Common mistake
Avoid using this to address an elderly person directly, as it is often perceived as rude or disrespectful. It is safer to use it when talking about someone in the third person to describe their status as a veteran or long-timer.
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.
