hung4 mun4洪門洪门
Jyutpinghung4 mun4
Yalehùhng mùhn
Definition
An ancient secret society; in modern times, a general term for all triad organizations.
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How it's used
Historical accounts often link this term to anti Qing resistance movements during the Ming dynasty. In modern discourse, it carries a heavy weight of secrecy and criminal association, making it inappropriate for casual conversation. It is best reserved for discussions about history, literature, or cinema.
Examples
He used to be a member of the triad society.
Do you know how the triad society originated?
Related words
Common phrases
a member of the triad society
Common mistake
Do not use this term to describe modern gangs or street thugs, as it specifically evokes the traditional, ritualistic, and historical roots of secret societies rather than contemporary criminal activity.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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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.
