ngoi6 gong1 lou2外江佬
Jyutpingngoi6 gong1 lou2
Yalengoih gōng lóu
Definition
An outsider or person from another province.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Historically used to refer to people from outside Guangdong province, this term carries a distinct sense of 'otherness' that can range from neutral description to mild exclusion. It reflects a time when Cantonese speakers identified strongly with their local roots, contrasting themselves against those who arrived later from northern or inland provinces. Using it today can sound slightly dated or even dismissive depending on the speaker's tone.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
That guy from another province speaks very loudly.
You can tell he is from another province just by his accent.
Related words
Common phrases
a genuine person from another province
Common mistake
Avoid using this term in professional or formal settings, as it can be perceived as xenophobic or derogatory. It is strictly a colloquial label for people from other provinces and is not used for foreigners or people from other countries.
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.
