lou5 jau2 gwai2 gwai2老友鬼鬼
Jyutpinglou5 jau2 gwai2 gwai2
Yalelóuh yáu gwái gwái
Definition
To have a very close and deep friendship; thick as thieves.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
The repetition of 鬼 creates a playful, rhythmic emphasis that suggests a bond beyond simple friendship. It is typically used to describe people who are inseparable or share a long history of camaraderie. While it implies a deep connection, it is strictly informal and should be avoided in professional or formal settings.
Examples
They have known each other since they were little; they are really close friends.
Related words
Common phrases
to be very close friends
Common mistake
Do not mistake the presence of 鬼 for anything negative or supernatural. It is purely an intensifier here, similar to how English speakers might use 'thick as thieves' to describe a close relationship.
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.
