zyu6 nin4 mui6住年妹

Jyutpingzyu6 nin4 mui6

Yalejyuh nìhn muih

Definition

A young, untrained female servant who lives with her employer.

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How it's used

This term refers specifically to young girls from rural areas who were sent to work as domestic helpers in urban households. It carries a historical connotation of a lower social status and often implies a lack of formal training or experience compared to a professional maid. It is rarely used in modern contexts except when discussing historical social structures or personal family histories.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

ji5以cin4前uk1屋kei2企ceng2請zyu6住nin4年mui6妹bong1幫sau2手zou6做gaa1家mou6務。

In the past, families hired young untrained maids to help with housework.

keoi5佢sai3細go3個go2嗰zan6陣zou6做gwo3過zyu6住nin4年mui6妹㗎。

She worked as a young untrained maid when she was little.

Common phrases

ceng2請zyu6住nin4年mui6妹

to hire a young untrained maid

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with modern domestic helpers or professional housekeepers, as the term implies a specific historical role involving young, often indentured or impoverished, girls.