tou2 zyun1 gaa1土專家土专家
Jyutpingtou2 zyun1 gaa1
Yaletóu jyūn gā
Definition
Self-taught expert; a local, practical expert without formal academic credentials.
colloquialpeoplework
How it's used
Refers to someone who has acquired deep practical knowledge or skills through experience rather than formal academic training. It carries a slightly informal tone and can be used either as a respectful acknowledgment of someone's hands-on ability or, depending on the context, as a gentle jab at their lack of professional credentials. It is frequently applied to people who are exceptionally good at fixing machines, gardening, or traditional crafts.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is a self-taught expert, he knows how to fix everything.
Don't look down on these self-taught experts.
Related words
Common phrases
folk self-taught expert
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with someone who is an expert in soil science or agriculture, as the term is almost exclusively used metaphorically for self-taught individuals.
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.



