deng6 gam1訂金订金
Jyutpingdeng6 gam1
Yaledehng gām
Definition
A deposit or down payment paid for goods or services to secure a transaction.
colloquialmoneyshopping
How it's used
Paying a deposit is a standard practice for high value items or services in Hong Kong. It acts as a binding commitment for both parties, ensuring the seller reserves the item or time slot for the buyer. When you pay this, you are effectively securing your purchase against other potential buyers.
Measure word
bat1筆bātExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 訂金 with 押金. While both involve money held by another party, 訂金 is a partial payment towards a purchase, whereas 押金 is a security deposit that is typically returned in full once the service or rental period ends.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
