dan6 dung1 gu1炖冬菇
Jyutpingdan6 dung1 gu1
Yaledahn dūng gū
Definition
To be demoted or disciplined.
slangwork
How it's used
Originating from the Hong Kong Police Force, this term refers to the practice of transferring an officer to a less desirable or remote post as a form of punishment. It carries a strong sense of professional disgrace and is used primarily in workplace contexts to describe someone being sidelined or moved to a lower-status role.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this term to describe a literal cooking process, as it is strictly a slang term for demotion. It is also specific to the Hong Kong workplace culture and might not be understood by Cantonese speakers outside of the region.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
