ngaau4 lou5 can3熬老襯熬老衬
Jyutpingngaau4 lou5 can3
Yalengàauh lóuh chan
Definition
To mock fellow criminals who have gone straight to earn an honest living.
slangslangwork
How it's used
Originating from triad subculture, this term carries a heavy sense of disdain for anyone abandoning the criminal lifestyle for conventional employment. It frames honest work as a form of suffering or foolishness, implying that the person has lost their edge or status. It is strictly derogatory and should be avoided in polite company as it signals an association with or knowledge of underworld slang.
Examples
He is going to work a regular job now, he really has no future.
Related words
Common phrases
to go and work a regular job
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone working hard in general, as it specifically implies a betrayal of a criminal or 'street' identity. Using it in a professional or casual setting will sound aggressive and highly inappropriate.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
