geoi2 zung1 zi2舉中指举中指
Jyutpinggeoi2 zung1 zi2
Yalegéui jūng jí
Definition
To give someone the finger; to flip someone off.
colloquialbodyslang
How it's used
This gesture is universally understood as a hostile, vulgar insult in Hong Kong. It is often used in traffic disputes or heated arguments to express extreme aggression or contempt. Using this gesture can easily escalate a verbal confrontation into a physical one.
Examples
He gave me the finger while on the road.
Why did you give that person the finger for no reason?
Related words
Common phrases
to give someone the finger
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply pointing at something with your middle finger, which is not a common way to indicate direction in Hong Kong. Always ensure the context is clear, as the gesture is highly offensive.
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.
