lou5 zoek3老雀
Jyutpinglou5 zoek3
Yalelóuh jeuk
Definition
An old hand, an experienced person, or a shrewd and calculating person.
- an old hand; an experienced person
- figurativea shrewd, cunning, or calculating person
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This term carries a nuance of being street-smart or cunning rather than just having seniority. It is often used to describe someone who is difficult to deceive because they have seen it all before. While it can be used as a compliment for expertise, it sometimes implies a slightly cynical or guarded personality.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
He has been in this industry for a long time; he is an old hand.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal meaning of an old bird, as it is almost exclusively used to describe people. Using it to describe an actual animal would sound nonsensical to native speakers.
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.
