cyun4 seon3傳信传信
Jyutpingcyun4 seon3
Yalechyùhn seun
Definition
To subpoena; to summon to court as a witness.
writtenother
How it's used
Legal terminology in Hong Kong often retains specific formal characters that are rarely used in daily speech. While 傳信 is the formal term for a subpoena, you will frequently hear people use the English loanword subpoena directly in casual conversation. It is strictly a legal term and should not be confused with general messaging or communication.
Measure word
zoeng1張jēungExamples
He received the subpoena and has to go to court next week.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 傳訊, which refers to the act of summoning or arraignment in court. Using the wrong character can change the meaning from the physical document to the legal procedure itself.
Grammar color guide
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Verb
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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.
