Learn Chinese Cantonese Slang Terms
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Learn Chinese Cantonese Slang TermsMain Menu | Cantonese Lessons | Chinese Tutoring | Bookmark & Share | Link to Us |
| About these Cantonese slang terms: |
| • The recordings below are in Cantonese. The Chinese
proverbs are in Mandarin. • If the audio links are not appearing or not working, please check this help page. • You may also download a complete audio transcript for listening in your car. • If you're trying to learn Cantonese, you should start with the lessons. |
| English: | GREED CHARACTER TRANSFORMS INTO ONE (FOR) POVERTY |
| Explanation: | The word "greed" in Chinese is very similar to the word "poverty" - only one stroke of difference; And so it is in life. |
| Listen: | |
| Pinyin EZ: | tchahm djee duk gwoh pun |
| English: | SMART PEOPLE PUT FORTH MOUTH, DUMB PEOPLE PUT FORTH HAND |
| Explanation: | Smart ones say what needs to be sone, and the dumb one's do it; Often said about gangsters taking orders from their bosses. |
| Listen: | |
| Pinyin EZ: | djayng yun cheut hau, bun yun cheut sau |
| English: | HAVE MONEY CAN-EMPLOY GHOST TO PUSH WHITTLE |
| Explanation: | Means if you have money you can do anything; As hard as it is to find a ghost (impossible), if you have money you will be able to find a ghost to do the job. |
| Listen: | |
| Pinyin EZ: | yau tcheen sie duk gwie teui moh |
| English: | RICE BOWL |
| Explanation: | Job or means of income; Similar to English "bread and butter", but for Chinese, bread is rice. |
| Listen: | |
| Pinyin EZ: | fahn woon |
| English: | BREAK THE RICE BOWL |
| Explanation: | You break your means of eating rice - this means you lost your job. |
| Listen: | |
| Pinyin EZ: | dah lahn fahn woon |
| English: | TO PROTECT RICE BOWL |
| Explanation: | Securing or protecting one's means of making a living. |
| Listen: | |
| Pinyin EZ: | boh jeu fahn woon |
| English: | IRON RICE BOWL |
| Explanation: | An iron rice bowl would not break, so this describes a very secure job. |
| Listen: | |
| Pinyin EZ: | tcheet fahn woon |
| English: | GOLD RICE BOWL |
| Explanation: | Same as an "iron rice bowl", but perhaps more emphasis on "good pay". |
| Listen: | |
| Pinyin EZ: | gum fahn woon |