zuk1 sing1竹升
Jyutpingzuk1 sing1
Yalejūk sīng
Definition
An ethnic Chinese person who grew up overseas, especially in Western countries.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Originating from the hollow nature of a bamboo pole, the term implies that such individuals are culturally empty or lacking in traditional Chinese values. While it is widely understood and used, it can carry a slightly derogatory or stereotypical tone depending on the speaker's intent. It is most commonly used to describe people from North America, the UK, or Australia who have limited exposure to Cantonese culture.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is an overseas Chinese, he doesn't really know how to read Chinese.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this term in formal or professional settings, as it can sound dismissive or offensive. It is strictly a colloquial label for social contexts and should not be used to address someone directly.
Grammar color guide
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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).
