baan2 gaan3 fong2板間房板间房

Jyutpingbaan2 gaan3 fong2

Yalebáan gaan fóng

名詞

Definition

Cubicle apartment; a small room partitioned by wooden or fibre boards.

colloquialplaceshome

How it's used

This term refers specifically to subdivided living spaces created by temporary partitions, often associated with older, low-income housing conditions. It carries a strong social connotation of cramped living and poverty, reflecting the historical and ongoing housing challenges in Hong Kong. While modern subdivided units are often called 劏房, the term specifically highlights the use of thin, non-permanent board materials.

Measure word

gaan1間gān

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋jat1一gaa1家sei3四hau2口bik1逼喺hai2間gaan1板baan2間gaan3房fong2入jap6面。

Their family of four is cramped inside a cubicle apartment.

nei5你zi1知m4唔zi1知bin1邊dou6度jau5有peng4平di1啲ge3嘅baan2板gaan3間fong2房zou1租aa4呀？

Do you know where there are cheaper cubicle apartments to rent?

Common phrases

zou1租baan2板gaan3間fong2房

to rent a cubicle apartment

zyu6住baan2板gaan3間fong2房

to live in a cubicle apartment

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 劏房, which is a broader term for any subdivided unit. While all 板間房 are types of subdivided units, the latter can include more permanent structures like concrete walls or self-contained studios with private toilets.