me1 zai2孭仔
Jyutpingme1 zai2
Yalemē jái
Definition
To carry a baby on one's back.
colloquialfamilydaily actions
How it's used
Refers specifically to the traditional method of carrying an infant using a cloth carrier or sling on the back. While modern strollers are common in urban areas, this term remains deeply embedded in the culture as it evokes the image of hardworking parents juggling childcare and daily chores. It is often used figuratively to describe someone burdened with heavy responsibilities or dependents.
Examples
It is very tiring for her to carry the baby on her back while going out.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply holding a baby in your arms, which would be 抱. Using 孭 implies the baby is physically strapped to your back.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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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).
