ngaai4 leoi4 zai2捱騾仔挨骡仔
Jyutpingngaai4 leoi4 zai2
Yalengàaih lèuih jái
Definition
To work hard like a slave or donkey; to put up with a very difficult, grueling job.
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
This expression vividly captures the feeling of being overworked and underappreciated, drawing a direct comparison to the tireless, heavy lifting associated with a donkey. It is frequently used by employees to vent about their workload or to describe someone who is stuck in a dead end, demanding job. The term carries a strong sense of self pity or empathy for the person being described.
Examples
He works like a slave every day, it is really exhausting.
Related words
Common phrases
to slave away every single day
to endure hardship like a donkey
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply working hard, as it implies a sense of suffering or exploitation rather than just diligence. It is strictly for describing labor that feels demeaning or physically draining.
Grammar color guide
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Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Particle
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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.
