gau2 baa1九巴
Jyutpinggau2 baa1
Yalegáu bā
Definition
Kowloon Motor Bus (KMB); a major bus company operating in Hong Kong.
colloquialtransport
How it's used
Refers specifically to the Kowloon Motor Bus company, which serves the majority of Kowloon and the New Territories. Locals often use it as a shorthand for any bus operated by this company, distinguishing it from other operators like Citybus or New World First Bus. It is a household name that appears on bus stops and vehicle livery throughout the city.
Measure word
gaan1間gānExamples
I am taking the KMB bus to work.
Is there a KMB bus stop around here?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this term for buses operated by other companies, as Hong Kongers are very specific about which bus company they are referring to due to different route networks and fare structures.
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.
