bou3 gaai1 jam1報佳音报佳音
Jyutpingbou3 gaai1 jam1
Yalebou gāai yām
Definition
To go Christmas caroling; originally referring to angels announcing the birth of Jesus Christ.
colloquialfestivaldaily actions
How it's used
This term is specifically tied to the Christian tradition of singing carols in public spaces during the Christmas season. While the literal meaning relates to the biblical announcement of the birth of Jesus, it is now almost exclusively used to describe the act of carolling. It is a common activity for church groups to perform in residential areas or hospitals to spread festive cheer.
Examples
On Christmas Eve, our group went carolling.
Are you guys going carolling this year?
Related words
Common phrases
carolling on Christmas Eve
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
