hei2 paau2 sin3起跑線起跑线
Jyutpinghei2 paau2 sin3
Yalehéi páau sin
Definition
Starting line in a race, or a starting point in life or a competition.
- starting line in a race
- figurativestarting point in life, career, or a competition
colloquialpeopleschool
How it's used
Beyond its literal use in sports, this term is deeply embedded in Hong Kong's competitive culture regarding education and social mobility. It is frequently used in the phrase 贏在起跑線 to describe the intense pressure on parents to provide their children with every possible advantage from a very young age. The term carries a slightly cynical or weary tone when applied to life, suggesting that some people are perceived to have an unfair head start over others.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
Children should not lose at the starting line.
Do you really think there is a starting line in life?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to refer to the starting point of a journey or a project, as it is strictly associated with races or metaphorical competitive contexts. For general starting points, use 起點 instead.
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.
