mau1 dan1踎墩
Jyutpingmau1 dan1
Yalemāu dān
Definition
To be unemployed or out of work.
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
This term carries a slightly derogatory or self-deprecating tone, implying that the person is idle and not actively contributing to society. It visually evokes the image of someone squatting or sitting aimlessly in a corner rather than being productive. It is strictly colloquial and should be avoided in professional or formal settings.
Examples
Ever since he lost his job, he has been sitting around unemployed every day.
Are you still unemployed? You should hurry up and find a job.
Related words
Common phrases
long-term unemployment
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply taking a break or on vacation, as it specifically implies a lack of employment or a state of being stuck without work.
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).
