hoeng1 san1鄉紳乡绅
Jyutpinghoeng1 san1
Yalehēung sān
Definition
Gentry in a local community; a class of people with education, power, or prestige in rural areas.
neutralpeopleplaces
How it's used
Refers specifically to influential figures in rural areas, often those with historical land ownership or political connections. It carries a traditional, somewhat formal connotation that contrasts with modern urban political roles. You will mostly encounter this term in news reports about land development or rural administrative bodies like the Heung Yee Kuk.
Measure word
wai6位waihExamples
This local gentry figure has a lot of status in the village.
Related words
Common phrases
the influence of local gentry
local gentry
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.
