mong4 ming6 zi1 tou4亡命之徒
Jyutpingmong4 ming6 zi1 tou4
Yalemòhng mihng jī tòuh
Definition
Desperado; a reckless person who does not fear death, especially a criminal.
writtenpeople
How it's used
This term carries a strong literary and dramatic tone, often used in news reports or crime dramas to describe individuals who act with total disregard for their own safety or the law. It is rarely used in casual, everyday conversation to describe someone who is simply brave or adventurous. Using it for someone who is just a bit reckless or impulsive would sound overly intense or sarcastic.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
That group of desperadoes drives very fast and completely ignores others' safety.
Why are you hanging out with those reckless criminals?
Related words
Common phrases
reckless driving
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general term for someone who is brave or daring. It specifically implies a criminal or dangerous nature, so it should not be used to describe a thrill-seeker or an athlete.
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.
