細佬
sai lou
The English phrase "little brother" is translated into Cantonese as 細佬 (sai lou).
細佬 refers to a brother who is younger than the speaker. Beyond biological siblings, it can also be used colloquially to refer to a younger male person or a junior in a social hierarchy.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 細 (sai), meaning small or little and 佬 (lou), a colloquial term for a male person or man.
Which one should you use?
While 細佬 refers to a younger brother, 阿哥 is the common way to refer to an older brother.
How do you pronounce it?
sai lou
Did you know?
- In the underworld of Hong Kong triads, 細佬 is used to describe a lower-ranking member or a protégé, regardless of their actual age.
- While 細佬 is the colloquial term, the formal written version is 弟弟, which is rarely spoken in daily Cantonese conversation.
- The character 佬 is often used in highly informal or even slightly derogatory ways to describe men, such as in the term 仆街佬.
Examples in context
- 如果我有個好得意嘅細佬或者好型嘅阿哥就好喇。I wish I had a cute little brother or a cool older brother.This sentence is useful for expressing a wish about having a cute 細佬 or a cool older brother.Tatoeba #6116689 by nickyeow, translation #3195515 by Tappity
- 我細佬My little brother
- 我個細佬好鍾意打波。ngo5 go3 sai3 lou2 hou2 zung1 ji3 daa2 bo1.My little brother loves playing ball.
Example conversation
Two friends are chatting about their families at a cafe.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit你個細佬喺邊度返工呀？nei5 go3 sai3 lou2 hai2 bin1 dou6 faan1 gung1 aa3?Where does your little brother work?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan佢喺一間銀行做嘢。keoi5 hai2 jat1 gaan1 ngan4 hong4 zou6 je5.He works at a bank.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit原來係呀，佢好叻喎。jyun4 coi4 hai6 aa3, keoi5 hou2 lek1 wo3.I see, he is very smart.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan係呀，佢一直都好勤力。hai6 aa3, keoi5 jat1 zik6 dou1 hou2 kan1 lik6.Yes, he has always been very hardworking.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
