bou2 zaap6 se5補習社补习社

Jyutpingbou2 zaap6 se5

Yalebóu jaahp séh

名詞

Definition

A tutorial school, tutorial centre, or cram school.

colloquialschool

How it's used

Refers specifically to private after school tutoring centres that focus on academic subjects or exam preparation. These are ubiquitous in Hong Kong due to the intense pressure of the local education system. Unlike formal schools, these are often commercial businesses that operate in the evenings or on weekends.

Measure word

gaan1間gān

Examples

ngo5我sai3細go3個fong3放hok6學zi1之hau6後jiu3要heoi3去bou2補zaap6習se5社zou6做gung1功fo3課。

I had to go to the tutorial centre to do my homework after school when I was little.

le1呢gaan1間bou2補zaap6習se5社sau1收fai3費hou2好gwai3貴，daan6但hai6係hou2好do1多jan4人bou3報meng2名。

This tutorial centre is very expensive, but many people sign up for it.

Common phrases

lin4連so2鎖bou2補zaap6習se5社

tutorial-school chains

bou3報duk6讀bou2補zaap6習se5社

to enroll in a tutorial centre

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with a regular school, which is called 學校. While 補習社 provides academic support, it is strictly supplementary and does not replace the formal education system.