zuk1 se4捉蛇
Jyutpingzuk1 se4
Yalejūk sèh
Definition
To catch snakes, or to catch employees who are slacking off from work.
- to catch snakes
- to catch employees who are slacking off or bunking off
colloquialworkdaily actions
How it's used
Slacking off at work is the primary figurative meaning of this term in modern Hong Kong. It draws a clear parallel between a worker who hides from their duties and a snake that is difficult to find or capture. The term is often used in a slightly humorous or accusatory way to point out someone who is avoiding their responsibilities.
Examples
He is always slacking off at work; he will get fired by the boss sooner or later.
Related words
Common phrases
a person who habitually slacks off
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with literal snake hunting, which is a specific professional or hobbyist activity. In a professional setting, calling someone a 蛇王 is a direct way of labeling them as a habitual slacker.
Grammar color guide
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Adjective
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
