daai6 maa4大麻
Jyutpingdaai6 maa4
Yaledaaih màh
Definition
Marijuana; cannabis; a psychoactive drug derived from the cannabis plant.
colloquialhealthother
How it's used
Refers specifically to the drug and carries a strong negative social connotation in Hong Kong. It is almost exclusively discussed in the context of law, crime, or health warnings. Unlike in some Western cultures where it might be discussed casually, mentioning it in public settings is often treated as a serious or sensitive topic.
Examples
He acts like he's on weed, always acting silly.
Do you know that marijuana is illegal in Hong Kong?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the word 麻, which refers to numbness or the plant fiber used in textiles. Using the term loosely to describe feeling dazed or high is common, but it is a serious accusation or observation in a formal context.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
