hei1 loi4 joeng4 wong5熙來攘往熙来攘往

Jyutpinghei1 loi4 joeng4 wong5

Yalehēi lòih yèuhng wóhng

Definition

Bustling with activity, especially of a place crowded with streams of people.

writtendescriptionsplaces

How it's used

This idiom is primarily used in formal or descriptive writing to paint a vivid picture of a crowded, busy scene. While it is perfectly understood in speech, it sounds quite literary and sophisticated compared to everyday descriptors like 好多人 or 擠擁. It specifically highlights the movement of people, suggesting a constant, flowing stream of activity rather than just a static crowd.

Examples

wong6旺gok3角nei1呢dou6度seng4成jat6日dou1都hei1熙loi4來joeng5攘wong5往。

This place in Mong Kok is always bustling with people.

nei5你gin3見dou2到tiu4條gaai1街hei1熙loi4來joeng5攘wong5往，zung6仲dim2點joeng2樣wan2搵jan4人aa4呀？

How are you supposed to find someone when the street is so packed with people?

Common phrases

gaai1街dou6道hei1熙loi4來joeng5攘wong5往

the streets are bustling with people

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a general term for any kind of crowd, but it specifically implies movement and flow. It is not appropriate for describing a stationary crowd, such as people waiting in a queue or sitting in a theater.