mai5 faan6 baan1 zyu2米飯班主米饭班主
Jyutpingmai5 faan6 baan1 zyu2
Yalemáih faahn bāan jyú
Definition
Breadwinner or employer; the person on whom one's livelihood or financial support depends.
colloquialpeoplemoney
How it's used
This term carries a slightly cynical or humorous undertone, highlighting the power dynamic between a provider and a recipient. It is often used to describe clients, bosses, or even parents who provide financial support. While it literally references rice, it is strictly used in a metaphorical sense regarding financial dependency.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
They are the ones who pay my salary, I dare not offend them.
When will your boss finally pay your salary?
Related words
Common phrases
to serve one's patron
Common mistake
Do not use this to refer to a literal chef or someone who cooks rice for you, as the term is exclusively about financial patronage.
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.
