haam4 taam5 coeng4鹹淡場咸淡场
Jyutpinghaam4 taam5 coeng4
Yalehàahm táahm chèuhng
Definition
A business that operates in a legal grey area, often involving slightly dodgy or sexually suggestive activities.
colloquialworkother
How it's used
This term literally combines the characters for salty and bland, which historically refers to the mixing of salt water and fresh water at an estuary. In a business context, it implies a place that operates in a grey area, often skirting legal or ethical boundaries without being explicitly criminal. It carries a strong connotation of instability or lack of professional legitimacy.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
That company seems like a bit of a dodgy operation.
Related words
Common phrases
to run a dodgy business
to accidentally end up in a shady establishment
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a place that is clearly and overtly illegal, such as a gambling den or a drug house. It specifically describes businesses that appear legitimate on the surface but have questionable practices or lack proper regulation.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
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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.
