女傭
neoi5 jung4
The Cantonese word for maid is 女傭 (neoi5 jung4).
女傭 is used to refer to a female servant or cleaner.
Meaning: female servant or cleaner (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 女, meaning female and 傭, meaning servant or hireling.
Which one should you use?
You may encounter the more formal terms 家庭傭工 (domestic helper) or 佣人 (servant or domestic helper).
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For more formal contexts, use 家庭傭工 (domestic helper) or 佣人 (servant or domestic helper). In colloquial settings in Hong Kong, domestic workers are often referred to as 阿姐 (older sister).
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong, the term 阿姐 is commonly used colloquially to refer to domestic workers.
How do you pronounce it?
neoi5 jung4
When do people say it?
In Hong Kong, it is common to use the term 阿姐 (older sister) when referring to domestic workers as a way to show familiarity or respect.
Did you know?
- In old Cantonese cinema and literature, a maid might be called 丫鬟 (ya waan), a term referring to the traditional hairstyle of young female servants in imperial China.
- The character 傭 in 女傭 shares a root with the concept of 'mercenary' or 'hired' work, highlighting the contractual nature of the role.
- Depending on the household, a domestic worker may be called 阿姨 (auntie), another kinship term that signals a different level of familiarity or age compared to 阿姐.
Examples in context
- 嗰個女傭好勤力。go2 go3 neoi5 jung4 hou2 kan4 lik6.That maid is very hardworking.
- 我搵緊新嘅女傭。ngo5 wan2 gam2 san1 ge3 neoi5 jung4.I am looking for a new maid.
Example conversation
Yating and Zikien are talking about their household help.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting子健，你屋企有女傭嗎？zi2 gin6, nei5 uk1 kei2 jau5 neoi5 jung4 maa1?Zikien, do you have a maid at home?
- 子健 Tsz Kin冇呀，我哋自己做家務。mou5 aa3, ngo5 dei6 zi6 gei2 zou6 gaa1 mou6.No, we do the housework ourselves.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting我諗緊請個女傭幫手。ngo5 lam2 gan2 cing2 go3 neoi5 jung4 bong1 sau2.I am thinking about hiring a maid to help.
- 子健 Tsz Kin咁會方便好多。gam2 wui5 fong1 bin1 hou2 do1.That would be much more convenient.
