bak1 soeng5北上
Jyutpingbak1 soeng5
Yalebāk séuhng
Definition
To go north; also refers to going to mainland China from Hong Kong.
- to head north; to travel northward
- to travel or go to mainland China from Hong Kong
colloquialtravelplaces
How it's used
Refers specifically to traveling from Hong Kong to mainland China, reflecting the geographical orientation where the mainland lies to the north. It has evolved from a formal term for official travel into a common, neutral way to describe any trip across the border for leisure, shopping, or work. The term is deeply embedded in the modern Hong Kong lifestyle, especially regarding weekend trips for dining or entertainment.
Examples
Many Hong Kong people like to go up north to spend money these days.
When are you heading up north to visit relatives?
Related words
Common phrases
to go north for shopping or dining
to go north for career development
Common mistake
Avoid using this term for travel within Hong Kong or to other countries, as it is strictly reserved for crossing the border into mainland China. It is not used for traveling to northern parts of Hong Kong like Sheung Shui or Fanling.
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.
