hong4 waa2行話行话

Jyutpinghong4 waa2

Yalehòhng wá

名詞

Definition

Jargon; the specialized language and terminology used by people in a specific industry or trade.

colloquialcommunicationwork

How it's used

Often implies a sense of exclusivity, as the primary purpose is to create a barrier that keeps outsiders from understanding the conversation. It is frequently used in contexts involving specialized trades or even criminal subcultures where secrecy is paramount. Unlike formal technical terminology, it carries a strong connotation of being an insider code.

Measure word

tou3套tou

Examples

ni1呢di1啲hai6係cyu4廚fong2房ge3嘅hong4行waa2話，nei5你teng1聽m4唔ming4明hou2好zeng3正soeng4常。

These are kitchen jargon, it is normal that you do not understand.

keoi5佢dei6哋gong2講gan2緊hong4行waa2話，ngo5我dei6哋jyun4完cyun4全caap3插m4唔dou3到zeoi2嘴。

They are speaking in jargon, we cannot join the conversation at all.

Common phrases

gong2講hong4行waa2話

to speak in jargon

hong4行noi6內hong4行waa2話

industry-specific jargon

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 術語, which refers to standard technical or academic terminology that is often taught in schools or manuals. While 術語 is neutral and professional, 行話 specifically highlights the informal or secretive nature of the language used by a specific group.