faan4 syun4 paai4帆船牌
Jyutpingfaan4 syun4 paai4
Yalefàahn syùhn pàaih
Definition
The police.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Originating from the logo on the uniform buttons of the Hong Kong Police Force during the colonial era, this term is a classic example of how local slang often references visual details of authority figures. It carries a slightly playful or mocking tone compared to more neutral terms like 差人. Using it suggests a level of familiarity with local street culture and historical slang.
Examples
Hurry up and leave, the police are coming!
Related words
Common phrases
to see the police
to avoid the police
Common mistake
This term is becoming increasingly dated and is rarely used by younger generations, who may not recognize the reference to the old button design. Using it in front of actual police officers could be perceived as disrespectful or provocative.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
