hak1 dou6黑道
Jyutpinghak1 dou6
Yalehāk douh
Definition
The underworld; a triad or criminal gang.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to the criminal underworld or organized crime syndicates. While it carries a cinematic or dramatic weight, it is less common in everyday casual speech than the more direct term 黑社會. It is frequently used in news reports or when describing someone's past history with gangs.
Examples
He used to be involved with the underworld, so it is hard for him to find a job.
You really should not get involved with people from the underworld.
Related words
Common phrases
member of the underworld
to be involved in gang life
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe general bad behavior or petty crime, as it specifically implies organized, systemic criminal activity or triad connections.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
