lou5 baak3 sing3老百姓

Jyutpinglou5 baak3 sing3

Yalelóuh baak sing

Definition

Ordinary people; the masses; commoners.

writtenpeople

How it's used

This term is borrowed from Mandarin and carries a slightly formal or political tone in Cantonese. It is rarely used in casual, everyday conversation among friends, where people would instead use terms like 普通人 or 市民. Using it in a relaxed setting can sound overly dramatic or like you are quoting a news report.

Examples

ni1呢di1啲zing3政caak3策deoi3對lou5老baak3百sing3姓jau5有me1咩jing2影hoeng2響aa4呀？

How do these policies affect the common people?

zing3政fu2府jing1應goi1該do1多di1啲gwaan1關sam1心lou5老baak3百sing3姓ge3嘅sang1生wut6活。

The government should care more about the lives of the common people.

Common phrases

gwaan1關sam1心lou5老baak3百sing3姓

care about the common people

Common mistake

Learners often use this to refer to a specific person, but it is a collective noun for the general public. It cannot be used to describe an individual person.