po4 noeng4婆娘
Jyutpingpo4 noeng4
Yalepòh nèuhng
Definition
A derogatory term for a middle-aged woman; a hag.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of disrespect and is often used to belittle a woman by reducing her to a stereotype of being shrewish or annoying. It is distinctly different from the neutral term 女人 or the respectful term 太太, as it implies the speaker has a low opinion of the person being described. Avoid using this in any professional or polite social setting to prevent causing significant offense.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
That woman is making a racket again.
Why do you care what that woman does?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a neutral way to refer to a wife or a lady, but it is strictly derogatory. Using it to refer to someone you do not know well or in a public setting will likely lead to an immediate confrontation.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
