hung4 mou4紅毛红毛
Jyutpinghung4 mou4
Yalehùhng mòuh
Definition
A foreigner, especially one of European descent.
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Historically derived from the term for red haired people, this word is now a colloquial way to refer to Westerners. It carries a slightly old fashioned or informal nuance compared to the more neutral 外國人. While not inherently malicious, it can sound blunt or dated depending on the speaker's tone and the social context.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this term in professional or formal settings, as it can be perceived as reductive or impolite. It is strictly limited to describing people of European or Western descent and should not be used for other groups.
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.
