baai2 dong3擺檔摆档
Jyutpingbaai2 dong3
Yalebáai dong
Definition
To set up a stall for business, typically on the street.
colloquialworkshopping
How it's used
Originally referring to street hawkers, this term has evolved to describe any temporary setup for selling goods, including at weekend markets or pop-up events. It carries a sense of informality and mobility, contrasting with opening a permanent shop. Using it often implies a hands-on, grassroots approach to retail.
Examples
He sets up a stall here to sell clothes, business seems pretty good.
Are you going to set up a stall at that market tomorrow?
Related words
Common phrases
to set up a stall to sell things
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with opening a brick-and-mortar store, which is usually referred to as 開舖. Using 擺檔 for a permanent shop sounds unnatural and suggests the business is temporary or unofficial.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
