hoeng1 lou4 dan2香爐躉香炉趸

Jyutpinghoeng1 lou4 dan2

Yalehēung lòuh dán

Definition

The only male child in a family, especially one who carries on the family line.

colloquialfamilypeople

How it's used

Refers to the traditional practice where only a male descendant can inherit the responsibility of burning incense for ancestors at the family altar. It carries a nuance of being the sole bearer of family lineage and expectations. While it implies a privileged position, it also highlights the heavy burden of being the only one to carry on the family name.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

keoi5佢uk1屋kei2企dak1得keoi5佢jat1一go3個zai2仔，zan1真hai6係hoeng1香lou4爐dan2躉lai2嚟㗎。

He is the only son in his family, he really is the only male child.

zou6做hoeng1香lou4爐dan2躉aat3壓lik6力hou2好daai6大，uk1屋kei2企jan4人cyun4全bou6部kei4期mong6望baai2擺saai3晒喺hai2佢keoi5度。

Being the only male child is very stressful, the whole family puts all their expectations on him.

Common phrases

duk6獨sang1生hoeng1香lou4爐dan2躉

the one and only male heir

Common mistake

Do not use this term for any male child; it specifically emphasizes the status of being the only son in a family, often implying that he is the sole person responsible for ancestral rites.