zau2 lou2走佬
Jyutpingzau2 lou2
Yalejáu lóu
Definition
To flee, run away, or go into hiding to escape responsibility, debts, or imprisonment.
colloquialpeoplemoney
How it's used
Carries a strong connotation of cowardice or evasion of serious consequences, such as legal trouble or massive financial debt. It is rarely used for simply leaving a place or going on a trip, as it implies a permanent or long-term disappearance to avoid facing the music. The term is heavily associated with people who abandon their obligations to creditors or partners.
Examples
He owed a lot of money and finally decided to run away.
Don't you think about running away, you must take responsibility.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe someone simply leaving a room or a party, as it implies a shameful or illicit escape rather than a neutral departure.
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.
