maang4氓

Jyutpingmaang4

Yalemàahng

Definition

Common people, or a rogue or gangster.

literarycommon people; subjects
literaryrogue; gangster; hooligan

colloquialpeople

How it's used

Literary in origin, this character is rarely used in modern spoken Cantonese to describe common people, as it has shifted to carry a strong negative connotation of being a hooligan or a thug. It is often used in the compound 爛氓 to describe someone who is particularly unrefined or behaves like a street urchin. When used as a noun, it implies a lack of social manners and a tendency toward disruptive behavior.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

keoi5佢seng4成jat6日喺hai2街gaai1度dou6做zou6埋maai4啲di1氓maang4嘢。

He is always doing rogue things in the street.

go2嗰baan1班maang4氓seng4成jat6日喺hai2公gung1園jyun2搞gaau2事。

That group of gangsters is always causing trouble in the park.

Common phrases

laan6爛maang4氓

a good-for-nothing thug

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the more common term 爛仔, which is the standard colloquial way to refer to a gangster or a thug in Hong Kong. Using 氓 in casual conversation can sound overly formal or even archaic unless used in specific slang-like contexts.