lou5 taai3老態老态
Jyutpinglou5 taai3
Yalelóuh taai
Definition
The state or appearance of old age.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Describes the physical or mental decline associated with aging, often used to comment on someone looking older than they usually do due to exhaustion or illness. It carries a slightly critical or observational tone, implying that the person's current appearance is not their best or most energetic state. It is more descriptive of a temporary or visible condition rather than just the biological process of getting old.
Examples
Although he is old, he shows no signs of senility at all.
Related words
Common phrases
senile and decrepit
showing signs of aging clearly
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply elderly, as it specifically highlights the negative or weary physical manifestations of aging. Calling someone 老態龍鍾 is a common idiom, but using it casually can sound quite rude or insensitive.
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.
