naam4 m4 lou2喃嘸佬喃呒佬
Jyutpingnaam4 m4 lou2
Yalenàahm m̀h lóu
Definition
Male Taoist priest of the Zhengyi school who performs rites and chants scriptures.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
This term is specific to the Taoist priests who perform funeral rites and exorcisms in Hong Kong. While it is the common way to refer to them in daily life, it can sometimes carry a slightly dismissive or informal tone compared to the more formal 道士. It is exclusively used for men, as the traditional role is male-dominated.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
The family hired a Taoist priest to perform a ritual.
Do you know where to find a Taoist priest to help out?
Related words
Common phrases
to hire a Taoist priest
Common mistake
Do not use this term in a formal or respectful setting, as it can sound like you are belittling the person's profession. If you are speaking to the priest directly, use the respectful title 道長 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
