lou5 jau4 tiu2老油條老油条
Jyutpinglou5 jau4 tiu2
Yalelóuh yàuh tíu
Definition
An experienced yet useless person who has grown slick, lazy, or ineffective with age.
colloquialpeoplework
How it's used
This term carries a strong negative connotation of someone who is cynical, lazy, and resistant to change due to their long experience in a workplace or environment. It implies the person has become 'slipperier' and more cunning at avoiding work rather than actually becoming more skilled. It is specifically used to criticize people who use their seniority to shirk responsibilities.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
keoi5 zou6 zo2 gam3 do1 nin4 dou1 hai6 lou5 jau4 tiu2 me1 dou1 m4 hang2 bong1 sau2
佢做咗咁多年都係老油條，咩都唔肯幫手。
He has been a slacker for years and refuses to help with anything.
nei5 m4 hou2 hok6 go2 baan1 lou5 jau4 tiu2 seng4 jat6 zing6 hai6 sik1 dak1 tau1 laan5 aa4
你唔好學嗰班老油條，成日淨係識得偷懶呀。
Don't act like those lazy old-timers who only know how to slack off.
Related words
Common phrases
zik1 coeng4 lou5 jau4 tiu2
職場老油條
workplace slacker
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal food item, which is a common breakfast snack. In a culinary context, it is just a piece of fried dough, but when applied to a person, it is a harsh insult regarding their work ethic.
Tone guide
T1High level
T2High rising
T3Mid level
T4Low falling
T5Low rising
T6Low level
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
