daai6 ngaan5 gai1大眼雞大眼鸡
Definition
Bigeye (a type of red saltwater fish), or a front-loading washing machine.
- bigeye; a type of red, edible saltwater fish
- slanga front-loading washing machine
How it's used
The term functions as a classic example of how Cantonese speakers apply visual metaphors to everyday objects. While it refers to a specific type of fish, the extension to front-loading washing machines comes from the circular, glass door that resembles a large, prominent eye. It is a very common colloquialism that is understood by almost everyone in Hong Kong, regardless of whether they are referring to the seafood or the appliance.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Context is essential because the word is a homonym for two completely unrelated things. If you are in a wet market, people will assume you are talking about fish, but if you are in an electronics store or discussing household chores, they will immediately think of the washing machine.
Grammar color guide
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.
