luk1 got3碌葛
Jyutpingluk1 got3
Yalelūk got
Definition
An idiot, a fool, or a dim-witted person.
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
Originating from the Cantonese term for a tuber or yam, this word paints a picture of someone who is as motionless and unthinking as a vegetable. It is a lighthearted way to tease someone for being slow on the uptake or acting dazed, rather than a harsh insult for someone with low intelligence. You will often hear it used in the structure 似個碌葛 to describe someone standing around doing nothing.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Why are you standing there like a total idiot?
He is usually smart, but he turns into a fool whenever he sees his crush.
Related words
Common phrases
like a fool
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone with a genuine intellectual disability, as it is strictly for teasing people who are acting clumsy or slow in a specific moment. It is also not a formal term, so avoid using it in professional settings.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
