nou4 dai6奴隸奴隶

Jyutpingnou4 dai6

Yalenòuh daih

名詞Common

Definition

Slave; a person who is owned as property, controlled by a master, and forced to work without pay.

neutralpeoplework

How it's used

Refers specifically to the historical or literal status of being owned by another person. In modern colloquial speech, it is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone who is overworked or feels trapped by their job, such as being a "corporate slave" or "mortgage slave."

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

gu2古doi6代se5社wui2會hou2好do1多jan4人zou6做nou4奴dai6隸。

Many people were slaves in ancient society.

nei5你m4唔hou2好dong1當keoi5佢hai6係nou4奴dai6隸gam3咁sai2使aa4呀。

Don't treat him like a slave.

Common phrases

nou4奴dai6隸zai3制dou6度

slavery system

gung1工zi1資nou4奴dai6隸

wage slave

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe someone who is simply working hard or helping out. It carries a very strong, negative connotation of total loss of freedom and human rights, so using it lightly to describe chores or minor tasks can sound overly dramatic or offensive.