joeng4 hong2洋行
Jyutpingjoeng4 hong2
Yaleyèuhng hóng
Definition
Hong; a trading company that deals with trade between China and Western countries.
neutralworkplaces
How it's used
Historical context defines this term as specifically referring to the foreign trading houses established during the colonial era. While it technically describes a business, it carries a strong connotation of the colonial period and the specific class of wealthy compradors who acted as intermediaries. Modern usage is rare unless discussing history or family heritage.
Measure word
gaan1間gānExamples
He used to work at a trading company, the salary was very high.
Related words
Common phrases
comprador of a trading house
long-established trading house
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with modern international trading firms, as the term is heavily tied to the specific historical structure of the Canton System and colonial trade. Using it to describe a contemporary import-export business may sound archaic or slightly confused.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
