lou5 se4魯蛇鲁蛇
Jyutpinglou5 se4
Yalelóuh sèh
Definition
A loser; a person who is unsuccessful in life.
slangpeopleslang
How it's used
This term is a direct phonetic loan from the English word "loser" that originated in Taiwan internet culture before spreading to Hong Kong. It carries a self-deprecating or mocking tone that is much more informal and specific to online discourse than traditional Cantonese terms for failure. It is rarely used in formal settings or by older generations who may not be familiar with internet slang.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He always calls himself a loser, he really has no self-confidence.
Related words
Common phrases
a loser in life
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a native Cantonese word, but it is a loanword. Using it in a professional or serious context will sound jarring and inappropriate.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
