taai3 hung1 jan4太空人
Definition
An astronaut, or a breadwinner who remains in their home country while their family emigrates.
- astronaut; cosmonaut
- slanga breadwinner who stays in their home country while the family emigrates
How it's used
Originally referring to space explorers, this term became a common social label in Hong Kong during the late 20th century to describe men living apart from their families who had emigrated abroad. It carries a sense of loneliness and sacrifice, as the person is effectively living in a different world from their spouse and children. While the literal meaning of space traveler is still understood, the metaphorical usage is far more frequent in daily conversation.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal profession of a space traveler. If you are talking about someone who actually works for NASA or a space agency, the context usually makes it clear, but in casual conversation, most people will assume you are talking about the family separation scenario.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
