biu1 haak3鏢客镖客
Jyutpingbiu1 haak3
Yalebīu haak
Definition
An armed escort or bodyguard working for a security agency in ancient China.
colloquialpeoplework
How it's used
This term is almost exclusively used in historical contexts or period dramas set in ancient China. It refers to the armed guards hired by merchant caravans to protect goods from bandits. Modern speakers rarely use this word in daily life unless they are discussing martial arts films or historical fiction.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Bodyguards in the old days were very loyal.
Related words
Common phrases
a wandering bodyguard
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with modern security guards or bodyguards, which are typically called 保鏢. Using 鏢客 to describe a contemporary security guard will sound archaic and confusing.
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.
