zaat3 paau3扎炮
Jyutpingzaat3 paau3
Yalejaat paau
Definition
To endure hunger; to go hungry.
colloquialfooddaily actions
How it's used
Originating from the slang of the older generation, this term vividly describes the physical sensation of an empty stomach. It is often used in a slightly humorous or self-deprecating way when someone has been busy and missed a meal. While it is widely understood, it carries a distinctly informal and slightly retro feel compared to simply saying 肚餓.
Examples
I didn't eat lunch, I'm starving right now.
How much longer do you have to endure hunger before you can eat?
Related words
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
