hung4 kei4紅旗红旗
Jyutpinghung4 kei4
Yalehùhng kèih
Definition
Red flag or banner, typically representing danger or a warning.
neutralplacesother
How it's used
Beyond the literal meaning of a red banner, this term is frequently used in the context of beach safety to indicate dangerous swimming conditions. It carries a strong sense of immediate warning or prohibition. While it can metaphorically refer to warning signs in other contexts, its most common daily usage remains linked to water safety and weather alerts.
Measure word
min6面minhExamples
The beach has a red flag up, don't go into the water today.
A red flag is flying at sea, do you still dare to go out?
Related words
Common phrases
to fly a red flag
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the metaphorical red flag used in English to describe a warning sign in a relationship or person, as that idiom does not translate directly into Cantonese using this term.
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.
