tung4 lou1 tung4 bou1同撈同煲同捞同煲
Jyutpingtung4 lou1 tung4 bou1
Yaletùhng lōu tùhng bōu
Definition
To share everything, sticking together through both good times and hard times.
colloquialpeoplework
How it's used
This expression evokes a strong sense of camaraderie born from shared struggle and survival. It is frequently used to describe business partners or close friends who have built their success from the ground up by working side by side. The imagery of sharing the same pot implies a deep level of trust and mutual reliance that goes beyond simple cooperation.
Examples
When we were young, we really stuck together through thick and thin.
If you are willing to join forces with me, I will definitely not treat you unfairly.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe casual working relationships or colleagues who just happen to work in the same office. It specifically implies a shared history of hardship or a long-term, high-stakes partnership.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
