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Definition
The Cowherd, a male protagonist in the traditional Chinese mythological folk tale of the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl.
How it's used
Beyond the mythological context, this term is frequently used in modern slang to describe a male host working in a club who provides companionship to female customers. It carries a specific connotation of a man who makes a living by charming or entertaining women, often implying a transactional relationship. Using it in this way can sound quite cynical or judgmental depending on the tone.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the term 織女, which refers specifically to the female counterpart in the legend. Learners sometimes mix up the roles or assume the term applies to any male farmer, but it is strictly tied to the specific folk tale or the modern slang for a male host.
Grammar color guide
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.
