ham6 gwok3 kei4冚國旗冚国旗

Jyutpingham6 gwok3 kei4

Yalehahm gwok kèih

Definition

To be killed in the line of duty, especially of disciplined services personnel.

colloquialpeoplework

How it's used

This term is highly specific to members of the disciplined services, particularly the police force. It carries a heavy, somber tone and is used exclusively to describe death while on active duty. Because it references the formal state funeral practice of draping a flag over the coffin, it is never used for accidental or natural deaths outside of professional service.

Examples

keoi5佢zou6做je5嘢gam3咁bok3搏meng6命，zan1真hai6係geng1驚keoi5佢jau5有jat1一jat6日wui2會ham6冚gwok3國kei4旗。

He works so hard, I am really afraid he might die in the line of duty one day.

teng1聽gong2講go2嗰go3個ging2警caat3察hang4行dung6動go2嗰zan6陣kam2冚gwok3國kei4旗，cyun4全sing4城dou1都hou2好soeng1傷sam1心。

I heard that police officer died in the line of duty during the operation, the whole city is very sad.

Common phrases

zap1執kan4勤kam2冚gwok3國kei4旗

to die in the line of duty

Common mistake

Do not use this term to describe any death other than a professional in the disciplined services. Using it for a civilian or someone who died of natural causes is considered extremely disrespectful and inappropriate.