dou6 hoi2 siu2 leon4渡海小輪渡海小轮

Jyutpingdou6 hoi2 siu2 leon4

Yaledouh hói síu lèuhn

Definition

Ferry; a passenger boat used to cross a harbor or channel.

neutraltransportplaces

How it's used

Locals almost exclusively refer to this as 天星小輪 when specifically talking about the iconic Star Ferry service. The term 渡海小輪 is more of a formal or descriptive category rather than the everyday name used for the specific boats crossing Victoria Harbour. Using the full name sounds slightly formal or like you are reading from a tourist brochure.

Measure word

gaa3架ga

Examples

ngo5我dei6哋daap6搭dou6渡hoi2海siu2小leon4輪gwo3過hoi2海aa4呀。

Let's take the ferry to cross the harbor.

nei5你zung1鍾m4唔zung1鍾ji3意co5坐dou6渡hoi2海siu2小leon4輪tai2睇fung1風ging2景？

Do you like riding the ferry to see the scenery?

Common phrases

daap6搭dou6渡hoi2海siu2小leon4輪

to take the ferry

co5坐dou6渡hoi2海siu2小leon4輪

to ride the ferry

Common mistake

Avoid using this term for modern high speed ferries that travel to outlying islands, as those are typically called 快船 or 船. 渡海小輪 specifically evokes the traditional, slower cross-harbour vessels.