zau1 geoi1 lou4 deon6舟車勞頓舟车劳顿
Jyutpingzau1 geoi1 lou4 deon6
Yalejāu gēui lòuh deuhn
Definition
Exhausted by a long journey; the fatigue of travel.
neutraltravelhealth
How it's used
This idiom carries a formal and slightly literary tone, often used to express sympathy or concern for someone who has traveled a long distance. While it is a four-character idiom, it is frequently integrated into spoken Cantonese by adding aspect markers like 咗 or particles like 啦 to soften the delivery. It is most commonly used when welcoming someone after a trip or explaining why someone needs a rest.
Examples
You have been on the plane for so long, you must be exhausted from the journey.
He was exhausted from traveling for days, so he fell asleep as soon as he got home.
Related words
Common phrases
the suffering of travel fatigue
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple verb meaning to travel, but it specifically emphasizes the physical toll and exhaustion caused by the journey. It is not used to describe the act of traveling itself, but rather the resulting state of fatigue.
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.
