zeot1 zai2卒仔
Jyutpingzeot1 zai2
Yalejēut jái
Definition
A low-ranking soldier, pawn, or minor character of low status.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Originally referring to the foot soldier in Chinese chess, this term is now widely used to describe someone with low status or little influence within an organization. It carries a slightly self-deprecating or dismissive tone depending on whether you are describing yourself or someone else. It is common to pair this with the word 棋子 to emphasize that the person is being manipulated by others.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is just a small fry in the company and has no decision-making power.
You think you are a big shot, but actually you are just a pawn.
Related words
Common phrases
to act as a pawn or low-level worker
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 卒, which can mean to die or finish in certain contexts. When referring to a person as a minor character, always use the full term 卒仔 to avoid ambiguity.
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.
