籮柚
lo jau
The Cantonese word for bum is 籮柚 (lo jau).
籮柚 is used to refer to the buttocks. It is a colloquial and slightly playful term rather than a clinical or vulgar one.
Meaning: informal: butt(ocks) specifically (noun)
Which one should you use?
While 籮柚 is colloquial and playful, you may encounter other terms depending on the setting. 臀部 is the formal way to refer to the buttocks, and 屁屁 is an informal way to say bum.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
籮柚 is a colloquial term. For a formal context, use 臀部, while 屁屁 serves as an informal alternative.
How do you pronounce it?
lo jau
Did you know?
- The word 籮柚 is actually the name of a fruit, the loquat. To use this word for a person's body part is to make a playful comparison to the shape of the fruit.
- The word 籮 in 籮柚 also means 'basket', suggesting a shape that is both wide and containing.
- In Cantonese, using the word 屁屁 sounds much more 'childish' or 'cute' than the slightly more mature colloquialism 籮柚.
Examples in context
- 坐得耐臀仔好痛。Sitting for a long time makes my bum sore.
- 佢個籮柚好大。keoi5 go3 lo1 jau6 hou2 daai6.Her bum is very big.
- 我坐到籮柚痛。ngo5 co5 dou3 lo1 jau6 tung3.My bum hurts from sitting.
- 佢件衫縮到好似遮住個籮柚咁。keoi5 gin6 saam1 suk1 dou3 hou2 ci5 ze1 zyu6 go3 lo1 jau6 gam2.Her shirt is so short it looks like it's covering her bum.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a fitness class.
- 家明 Ka Ming做完深蹲，我個籮柚好酸。zou6 jyun4 sam1 dyun1, ngo5 go3 lo1 jau6 hou2 syun1.After doing squats, my bum feels very sore.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung家明，你要多休息下。kaa1 ming4, nei5 jiu3 do1 jau4 sik1 haa6.Ka Ming, you need to rest more.
- 家明 Ka Ming曉彤，你都係。hiu2 tung4, nei5 dou1 hai6.Hau Tung, you too.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我個籮柚都好痛。ngo5 go3 lo1 jau6 dou1 hou2 tung3.My bum is very sore too.
