gung1 lau2供樓供楼
Jyutpinggung1 lau2
Yalegūng láu
Definition
To pay a mortgage on a property, typically a residential unit.
colloquialmoneyhome
How it's used
Refers specifically to the act of paying off a home loan, which is a massive part of adult life in Hong Kong. It carries a heavy connotation of financial burden and long term commitment. People often use it to explain why they cannot afford luxuries or why they must work overtime.
Examples
He has to pay the mortgage every month, which is very stressful.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with paying rent, which is 交租. Using 供樓 implies you are the owner or co owner of the property, not a tenant.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
