gong1 wu4江湖
Jyutpinggong1 wu4
Yalegōng wùh
Definition
The wider world of traveling merchants, martial artists, outlaws, and the underworld.
- literarya vast geographical space spanning across rivers, lakes, and provinces
- the community of itinerant buskers, martial artists, doctors, and craftsmen
- figurativethe underworld; the world of secret societies, martial arts, and criminality
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Refers to a social sphere outside of mainstream society, often implying a world of professional risk, secret codes, or underworld activities. While it originates from the idea of itinerant performers and craftsmen traveling between provinces, it is now frequently used to describe any competitive or cutthroat professional environment. It carries a sense of romanticized danger or the harsh reality of having to survive on one's own wits.
Examples
He spent his youth roaming around the world.
You have been in this industry for so long, you should be used to everything by now.
Related words
Common phrases
to roam the world and gain experience
the world is a dangerous place
status in the underworld or a specific industry
Common mistake
Do not use this word to refer to actual geographical rivers and lakes, as it is strictly a metaphorical term for a social or professional world. It is not a place you can visit on a map.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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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.
