so2 si4 lou2鎖匙佬锁匙佬
Jyutpingso2 si4 lou2
Yalesó sìh lóu
Definition
Locksmith, or a slang term for a prison guard.
- locksmith; a craftsman who opens locks and makes keys
- slangprison guard; turnkey
colloquialpeoplework
How it's used
Refers primarily to a professional locksmith, but carries a secondary, slightly derogatory or slang meaning when referring to prison guards. The term highlights the physical presence of keys as the defining trait of the person. Using it for a prison guard is common in informal contexts but can sound dismissive.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
The door at home is locked, hurry up and find a locksmith to help.
I heard that prison guard used to work at Stanley Prison.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 鎖匠, which is the formal, professional title for a locksmith. Using 鎖匙佬 in a formal business setting or when speaking to a professional locksmith directly might come across as disrespectful or overly casual.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
