zou6 caak6做賊做贼
Jyutpingzou6 caak6
Yalejouh chaahk
Definition
To be a thief; to steal or commit a robbery.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Often used metaphorically to describe someone acting suspiciously or feeling guilty, rather than literally committing theft. It carries a strong connotation of moral failing or being caught in a lie. Using this term to describe someone is a serious accusation that implies they are untrustworthy.
Examples
He was a thief when he was young and got arrested.
Are you feeling guilty like a thief? Why are you so afraid of me?
Related words
Common phrases
having a guilty conscience like a thief
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who has stolen a specific object once, as it implies a habitual identity or a state of being a criminal. For a single act of stealing, use 偷嘢 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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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.
