jin1 fo2煙火烟火
Jyutpingjin1 fo2
Yaleyīn fó
Definition
Pyrotechnics, specifically small-scale fireworks or those used in film, television, and performances in Hong Kong.
colloquialother
How it's used
Distinguish this from 煙花, which refers to the large scale fireworks displays seen during festivals like Lunar New Year. 煙火 is specifically used for controlled, smaller scale pyrotechnics, often found in professional settings like film production, stage performances, or special effects. It carries a more technical or industrial nuance compared to the festive connotation of 煙花.
Measure word
zung3種jungExamples
The pyrotechnic effects in this movie are very realistic.
Do you know where there is a pyrotechnic show to watch?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 煙花, but using 煙火 to describe a public holiday fireworks display sounds unnatural and overly technical. Stick to 煙花 for public celebrations and reserve 煙火 for professional or theatrical contexts.
Grammar color guide
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Verb
Adjective
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Classifier
Particle
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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.
