gam1 ngan4 tung4 tit3 sek3金銀銅鐵錫金银铜铁锡

Jyutpinggam1 ngan4 tung4 tit3 sek3

Yalegām ngàhn tùhng tit sek

Definition

The five metals of antiquity, specifically gold, silver, copper, iron, and tin.

colloquialother

How it's used

This sequence is a traditional way to list the five basic metals known in ancient times. While it functions as a collective noun phrase, it is most commonly encountered in the context of hardware stores or metal recycling, where the term 五金 is used as a more practical, modern shorthand.

Examples

keoi5佢gaan1間pou3舖tau2頭zyun1專maai6賣gam1金ngan4銀tung4銅tit3鐵sek6錫。

His shop specializes in selling gold, silver, copper, iron, and tin.

ni1呢di1啲gam1金ngan4銀tung4銅tit3鐵sek6錫nei5你baai2擺喺hai2邊bin1呀？

Where did you put these metals?

Common phrases

ng5五gam1金pou3舖

hardware store

Common mistake

Do not use this phrase to refer to modern alloys or precious metals in a scientific context. It is a cultural, idiomatic grouping rather than a technical list of elements.