song3 gaa1 zi1 hyun2喪家之犬丧家之犬
Jyutpingsong3 gaa1 zi1 hyun2
Yalesong gā jī hyún
Definition
An outcast; a person who has nobody to turn to and has lost their home or support.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of pity or self-deprecation, often used to describe someone who has been defeated or abandoned. While it literally refers to a dog, it is exclusively used for people in a metaphorical sense. It is quite a dramatic expression that implies a complete loss of dignity or social standing.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
After losing all his money, he looks like a stray dog with nowhere to go.
Stop acting like a lost soul, just come home.
Related words
Common phrases
to act like a stray dog
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe an actual stray dog, as the term is strictly for human social status. Using it for an animal would sound confusing or bizarre to a native speaker.
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.
