lou5 daai6老大
Jyutpinglou5 daai6
Yalelóuh daaih
Definition
The eldest child, a gang leader, or a respected senior in a trade.
- the eldest brother or child in a family
- a gang leader; boss
- the most senior or respected person in a trade or industry
colloquialpeoplefamily
How it's used
While often used for the eldest sibling, this term carries a strong connotation of authority or seniority in a social or professional hierarchy. When applied to someone outside the family, it can sound slightly informal or even imply a connection to underworld figures depending on the context. Using it to address a stranger in a professional setting can come across as overly familiar or cheeky.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is the eldest in the family and has to look after his younger siblings.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 大佬, which is much more commonly used in Hong Kong to refer to a big brother figure or a gang leader. Using 老大 in casual conversation might sound like you are mimicking Mandarin or watching too many crime movies.
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.
