mau1 dang3踎凳
Jyutpingmau1 dang3
Yalemāu dang
Definition
To do time in jail; to serve a prison sentence.
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
This term literally evokes the image of squatting on a small stool, which is how prisoners were historically forced to sit in cramped cells. It is strictly colloquial and carries a slightly dismissive or informal tone when discussing someone's criminal history. Avoid using it in formal or legal contexts, as it sounds like street slang.
Examples
He did a few years in jail because of a fight before.
If you keep acting recklessly like this, you will end up in jail sooner or later.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal action of squatting on a stool, which is also sometimes described as 踎. Context is essential to distinguish between the physical act and the slang for imprisonment.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
