faa1 sau2 gan1花手巾
Jyutpingfaa1 sau2 gan1
Yalefā sáu gān
Definition
Paradise fish; a small, aggressive fish with green stripes and a beautiful tail.
colloquialanimals
How it's used
This term is a specific local name for the paradise fish, often used by older generations or hobbyists in Hong Kong. It highlights the fish's distinct, colorful appearance which resembles a patterned handkerchief. While widely understood in the context of aquarium fish, it is less commonly used in formal scientific or academic settings.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
There are a few paradise fish kept in the fish tank.
Common phrases
to keep paradise fish
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal meaning of a floral handkerchief, as the context of fish tanks or aquatic pets is essential to distinguish the two.
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).
