haa6 hoi2下海
Jyutpinghaa6 hoi2
Yalehah hói
Definition
To enter the sex industry, such as becoming a prostitute or performing in adult videos.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Carries a heavy sense of moral judgment and social stigma, reflecting the traditional view that such work is a descent from respectable society. It is almost exclusively used to describe women entering the sex industry, rather than men. Because of its sensitive nature, it is rarely used in polite conversation and is often employed in gossip or when discussing someone's downfall.
Examples
I heard she decided to enter the sex industry to pay off her debts.
Do you know why she ended up working in the sex industry?
Related words
Common phrases
decide to enter the sex industry
forced into the sex industry
Common mistake
Do not use this term to describe someone starting a business or a new career in a general sense, as it is strictly reserved for the sex industry. Using it in a professional context would be extremely offensive and confusing.
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.
