bai6 ngon6狴犴
Jyutpingbai6 ngon6
Yalebaih ngohn
Definition
A prison or jail; a legendary dragon-like beast that guards prison gates.
- a prison or jail
- literaryone of the nine sons of the dragon, guarding prison gates
datedplaces
How it's used
This term is highly literary and archaic, almost never appearing in modern spoken Cantonese. It is primarily encountered in historical texts or classical literature to describe a place of detention. Using it in daily conversation will sound extremely unnatural and pretentious.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He broke the law and is now locked up in prison.
This place used to be a prison, but now it has become a museum.
Related words
Common phrases
to be imprisoned
Common mistake
Learners should avoid using this word in any modern context, as it is not part of the contemporary lexicon. Use 監獄 or 倉 instead for standard communication.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
