hung4 jau4紅油红油
Jyutpinghung4 jau4
Yalehùhng yàuh
Definition
Red paint, or red-dyed tax-free diesel in Hong Kong.
- red paint, often used in criminal vandalism
- red diesel; marked tax-free diesel used as fuel
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How it's used
Distinguish clearly between the two distinct meanings: the literal red paint used for vandalism or marking, and the illicit tax-free fuel. When referring to the fuel, the term carries a strong connotation of illegality and potential mechanical damage to vehicles. The act of splashing red paint as a debt collection tactic is a specific cultural phenomenon in Hong Kong.
Measure word
gun3罐gunExamples
They used red paint to write big characters to demand debt repayment.
It will be a huge disaster if the car is filled with red diesel.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with regular red-colored paint for art or decoration. Using the term in a casual context might lead listeners to assume you are talking about illegal activities or debt collection.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
