zoek3 fu3著褲着裤
Jyutpingzoek3 fu3
Yalejeuk fu
Definition
To put on trousers, or colloquially, to be convicted of an offence.
- to put on one's trousers; to wear pants
- slangto be convicted of an offence; to go to jail
colloquialclothingdaily actions
How it's used
The literal meaning refers to the simple act of dressing, but the figurative sense is a specific piece of legal slang. It implies being formally charged or sentenced for a crime, often carrying a sense of finality or bad luck. It is distinct from just being caught or suspected, as it specifically points to the legal consequence of the act.
Examples
Hurry up and put on your trousers, the car is about to leave.
He messed up this time, he is really going to be convicted and go to jail.
Related words
Common phrases
to be convicted and imprisoned
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage of 穿, as 著 is the standard Cantonese verb for wearing items on the body. Learners often mistake the figurative legal sense for simply being in trouble, but it specifically implies the legal process of conviction.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).



