hung4 gai1紅雞红鸡
Jyutpinghung4 gai1
Yalehùhng gāi
Definition
Red taxi; an urban taxi in Hong Kong.
colloquialtransport
How it's used
Refers specifically to the red taxis that operate in the urban areas of Hong Kong, including Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. The term is a playful nickname based on the vehicle's color and the common practice of using animal metaphors for transport. It is distinct from the green taxis, known as 綠的, which serve the New Territories.
Measure word
gaa3架gaExamples
It is really hard to hail an urban taxi here.
How much does it cost to take an urban taxi to the airport?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this term in formal settings or when speaking to taxi drivers directly, as it sounds overly casual or potentially disrespectful. Stick to 紅的 or 的士 in professional or polite contexts.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
