daai6 go1 daai6大哥大
Jyutpingdaai6 go1 daai6
Yaledaaih gō daaih
Definition
An influential figure in a criminal gang, or a brick phone (early bulky mobile phone).
- a person of high status in a criminal gang; a mob boss
- slanga brick phone; an early, bulky type of mobile phone
colloquialpeopletechnology
How it's used
The term originated as a nickname for the first generation of bulky mobile phones, which were often associated with wealthy businessmen or powerful figures in movies. It eventually became a common way to refer to the leader of a triad or a person with significant influence in a criminal organization. Using it to address someone directly can sound either respectful or sarcastic depending on the context and tone.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He has a lot of influence in that district, everyone calls him the big boss.
That brick phone from back in the day was so big, it was really heavy to carry around.
Related words
Common phrases
to act as the big boss
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 老大, which is a more general term for a boss or leader. While both can refer to gang leaders, 大哥大 carries a specific cultural weight linked to the 1980s and 90s Hong Kong cinema aesthetic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
