tan1 pok1吞樸吞朴
Jyutpingtan1 pok1
Yaletān pōk
Definition
To slack off, sneak away from work, or idle on the job.
colloquialworkschool
How it's used
This term carries a strong sense of laziness and avoiding responsibility, often implying that someone is physically present but mentally checked out or hiding to avoid tasks. It is frequently used in workplace or school settings to describe someone who is actively shirking their duties. The word suggests a deliberate attempt to be unproductive rather than just being busy with other things.
Examples
He is always slacking off at the office and not doing any work.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being tired or taking a break. 吞樸 specifically implies a negative, deceptive, or lazy avoidance of work that one is expected to be doing.
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.
