鬼佬
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
Cantonese[edit]
| simpl. and trad. | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 鬼佬 | |||
Pronunciation[edit]
- IPA: /kʷɐi˧˥ lou˧˥/
Etymology[edit]
鬼佬 means literally "ghost man" and arose as a comment on the pale complexion of white foreigners, which was seen as being ghost-like. An alternate translation is "round eyed devil".
Noun[edit]
鬼佬 (traditional and simplified, jyutping gwai2lou2, Yale gwáilóu)
Usage notes[edit]
A derogatory term commonly used by Cantonese speakers to refer to white people, mainly in speech. (A polite alternative for this term is 西人 "sai1 jan4" simply meaning "Westerner"). Prior to the 1980s the term was commonly prefixed with 死 (sei, jyutping: sei2), meaning death or damnation, to make sei gweilo meaning “damned ghost man” or “damned gweilo”.
Related terms[edit]
See also[edit]
- (Min Nan) 阿斲仔
