se4 zai2蛇仔
Jyutpingse4 zai2
Yalesèh jái
Definition
An assistant driver, a surveyor's assistant, or a tilde symbol.
- assistant driver whose duties include vehicle maintenance and passenger care
- chainman; surveyor's assistant
- tilde; the symbol ~ used to represent a headword in a dictionary entry
colloquialworktransport
How it's used
Refers specifically to the assistant who accompanies a professional driver, often responsible for loading and unloading cargo or navigating. While the term literally translates to little snake, it has no connection to the animal and is strictly professional jargon within the logistics and transport industries. It is distinct from a co-driver, as the primary focus is on manual labor and support rather than operating the vehicle.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He used to work as a driver's assistant, always having to help move goods.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal meaning of a small snake, as it is a specific occupational title. Using it to describe a person who is sneaky or untrustworthy is incorrect, as that would be described using different slang terms.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
