hoi1 nin4開年开年

Jyutpinghoi1 nin4

Yalehōi nìhn

動詞Rare

Definition

To discipline children by spanking or scolding them during the Lunar New Year.

colloquialfamilyfestival

How it's used

Originally referring to the first meal or work session after the New Year, this term has evolved into a humorous yet stern euphemism for disciplining children. It carries a sense of irony because the New Year is supposed to be a time of harmony, making the act of spanking particularly disruptive and memorable. It is almost exclusively used by parents or elders when threatening or describing the punishment of a child.

Examples

nei5你zoi3再jai5曳ngo5我zau6就jiu3要hoi1開nei5你nin4年㗎gaa2喇。

If you misbehave again, I will have to spank you.

sai3細lou6路zai2仔gwo3過nin4年m4唔hou2好lyun6亂gam3咁lai4嚟，siu2小sam1心bei2俾aa3阿maa5媽hoi1開nin4年。

Don't act up during the New Year, or you'll risk getting a spanking from your mom.

Common phrases

bei2俾jan4人hoi1開nin4年

to be spanked by someone

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the literal meaning of starting the New Year, such as the first business day after the holiday. Using it in a professional context to mean starting work will cause significant confusion, as it implies physical punishment.