zaa1 tit3 bat1揸鐵筆揸铁笔
Jyutpingzaa1 tit3 bat1
Yalejā tit bāt
Definition
To do manual labor or work with hand tools to make a living, in contrast to doing office work.
colloquialwork
How it's used
This expression serves as a metaphorical contrast to office workers who use pens. It carries a sense of respect for the physical labor involved in construction or industrial trades. While it literally refers to a crowbar, it is used broadly to describe any blue collar work involving heavy tools.
Examples
He used to work with manual tools for a living, it was very tough.
Related words
Common phrases
to make a living through manual labor
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who simply uses a screwdriver or a hammer for home repairs. It specifically implies that this is their primary occupation and source of income.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
