tou2 fei2土匪
Jyutpingtou2 fei2
Yaletóu féi
Definition
Bandit or brigand; an armed group with power in a local area that carries out illegal activities.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning of an armed outlaw, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe someone who is unreasonably greedy or aggressive in business. It carries a strong sense of being robbed or exploited, similar to calling someone a highwayman in English. When used in this figurative way, it often implies that the person is acting without any regard for fairness or social norms.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
There used to be many bandits appearing around there.
Related words
Common phrases
bandit-like behavior
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the term 賊, which is a more general word for a thief or criminal. 土匪 specifically implies a group or an individual acting with the lawless, intimidating nature of a bandit, whereas 賊 can refer to a simple pickpocket.
Grammar color guide
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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.
