baau3 zuk1爆竹
Jyutpingbaau3 zuk1
Yalebaau jūk
Definition
Firecracker; small festive explosives typically wrapped in red paper.
colloquialfestivalother
How it's used
Although 爆竹 is the standard term, many locals prefer the word 炮竹 when referring to the traditional long strings of firecrackers. Note that the private use of these is strictly prohibited in Hong Kong due to safety regulations, so the word is now largely associated with childhood memories or rural village celebrations.
Measure word
cyun3串chyunExamples
Setting off firecrackers during the New Year is very lively.
Did you play with firecrackers when you were a kid?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 煙花, which refers specifically to fireworks that launch into the sky to create patterns, whereas 爆竹 are the small, ground-based crackers that just make a loud popping sound.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
