tou2 jan4土人
Jyutpingtou2 jan4
Yaletóu yàhn
Definition
Indigenous people or natives, typically referring to those from less developed areas.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Carries a strong condescending or colonial undertone when used in modern contexts. It implies a lack of modernization or sophistication, often reflecting outdated attitudes from the colonial era. Avoid using this to describe indigenous groups, as it is widely considered offensive and derogatory.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
They are the natives there, living very simple lives.
Don't look down on them as if they were primitive people.
Related words
Common phrases
native customs
Common mistake
Do not use this to mean a local person from Hong Kong, as that would be extremely insulting. Use 本地人 instead for neutral descriptions of locals.
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.
