仆街
puk1 gaai1
The Cantonese word for bastard is 仆街 (puk1 gaai1).
仆街 is used to refer to a contemptible person, but it is also very frequently used as an expletive similar to 'damn it' or 'fuck' to express frustration or anger at a situation. Other ways to describe a bastard include 私生仔 (male) or 私生女 (female), or the informal term 賤種 to insult someone by questioning the legitimacy of their birth as 'despicable offspring'.
Meaning: contemptible etc. person (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 仆街 literally means 'fall on the street'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
仆街 is a vulgar slang term and should not be used in formal or polite settings.
How do you pronounce it?
puk1 gaai1
Did you know?
- While 仆街 means 'fall on the street', the imagery refers to someone dying in the street and being left there for people to walk over.
- Because 仆街 is so versatile, it can function as a verb meaning 'to fail miserably' or 'to go bankrupt' in certain slang contexts.
- While 仆街 is a vulgar insult, it is sometimes used between very close male friends as a rough term of endearment, similar to how 'bastard' can be used affectionately in some English dialects.
Examples in context
- 呢個仆街真係好衰。ni1 go3 puk1 gaai1 zan1 hai6 hou2 seoi1.This bastard is really bad.
- 個仆街竟然偷咗我啲錢。go3 puk1 gaai1 ging2 jin4 tau1 zo2 ngo5 di1 cin2.That bastard actually stole my money.
- 唔好同呢個仆街講嘢。m4 hou2 tung4 ni1 go3 puk1 gaai1 gong2 je5.Don't talk to that bastard.
Example conversation
Two friends are complaining about a dishonest coworker.
- 子健 Tsz Kin你聽講未？個經理又呃我哋。nei5 ting1 gong3 mei6? go3 ging1 lei5 jau6 ngak1 ngo5 dei6.Have you heard? The manager lied to us again.
- 美玲 Mei Ling真係個仆街，完全冇信用。zan1 hai6 go3 puk1 gaai1, jyun4 cyun4 mou5 seon3 jung6.He's such a bastard, he has no credibility at all.
- 子健 Tsz Kin我唔想再同佢共事。ngo5 m4 soeng2 zoi3 tung4 keoi5 gung6 si6.I don't want to work with him anymore.
- 美玲 Mei Ling我都係，快啲搵新工啦。ngo5 dou1 hai6, faai3 di1 wan2 san1 gung1 laa1.Me too, let's find new jobs quickly.
