mui1 zai2妹仔
Definition
A maidservant or female servant; also used to describe a woman who does chores for others.
- dateda young maidservant or female slave in ancient times
- figurativea woman who is expected or volunteers to do chores and run errands for others
How it's used
Originally referring to domestic servants in traditional households, this term has evolved into a common metaphor for someone who is expected to do all the menial or tedious tasks for others. It carries a strong sense of resentment or sarcasm when used in modern contexts, implying that the speaker feels exploited or treated as inferior. Using it to describe a professional helper is considered derogatory and should be avoided in polite conversation.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the term 妹仔大過主人婆, which is a specific idiom used to describe a situation where a subordinate or a less important person exerts more power or influence than their superior. Using the term to refer to a modern domestic helper is offensive, as it carries historical connotations of servitude and lack of agency.
Grammar color guide
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.
