baau1 zin2 dap6包剪揼
Jyutpingbaau1 zin2 dap6
Yalebāau jín dahp
Definition
Rock, paper, scissors; a hand game played to make decisions or for fun.
colloquialdaily actions
How it's used
Native speakers often use this term as a verb phrase, treating it as an action to be performed rather than just a noun. It is the standard way to settle minor disputes or make quick decisions among friends and colleagues. The rhythm of the game is essential, and the final word 揼 is always the moment the hand gesture must be revealed.
Examples
Let's play rock, paper, scissors to decide who goes to buy takeout.
Related words
Common phrases
to play rock, paper, scissors
Common mistake
Learners sometimes mistakenly use the Mandarin term 剪刀石頭布, which is understood but sounds unnatural in a local Hong Kong context. Stick to 包剪揼 to sound like a local.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
