paa4 je5扒嘢

Jyutpingpaa4 je5

Yalepàh yéh

Definition

To pickpocket; to steal from someone's pocket or bag.

colloquialpeopledaily actions

How it's used

This verb is specifically used for the act of stealing items from someone's person, such as from a pocket or bag. It carries a strong sense of stealth and opportunism. While it functions as a verb, it is often used in the passive construction with 俾人 to describe the victim's experience.

Examples

keoi5佢喺hai2地dei6鐵tit3站zaam6俾bei2人jan4扒paa4咗zo2嘢je5呀。

He got pickpocketed at the MTR station.

siu2小sam1心di1啲aa4呀，nei1呢dou6度hou2好do1多jan4人paa4扒je5嘢㗎。

Be careful, there are many pickpockets around here.

Common phrases

bei2俾jan4人paa4扒je5嘢

to have one's pockets picked

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 偷, which is a general term for stealing. 扒嘢 implies the specific technique of lifting items off a person in a public space, whereas 偷 can apply to any theft, including burglary or shoplifting.