mau1痞
Jyutpingmau1
Yalemāu
Definition
To squat down on one's heels.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Refers to someone who is unrefined, lazy, or behaves like a street thug. It carries a strong sense of disapproval and is often used to describe someone who lacks manners or has a bad attitude. When used as an adjective, it describes behavior that is sleazy or low-class.
Examples
He is always hanging out with those hooligans.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 疲, which relates to being tired. Also, avoid using it to describe someone who is simply poor, as the term specifically targets character and behavior rather than socioeconomic status.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
