kei4 hou6旗號旗号
Jyutpingkei4 hou6
Yalekèih houh
Definition
Banner, flag, or slogan; also used to mean in the name of or under the guise of.
- banner; flag; slogan used to represent a cause or group
- figurativein the name of; under the guise of; banner
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
This term is almost exclusively used in the phrase 打住...旗號 to describe someone acting under a specific pretext or authority. It carries a strong connotation of insincerity or manipulation, suggesting that the stated reason is merely a cover for ulterior motives. It is rarely used to describe a genuine or transparent mission.
Examples
He uses the banner of environmental protection, but actually he just wants to scam money.
Are you causing trouble in the name of the company?
Related words
Common phrases
to use as a banner or pretext
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the more neutral 名義. While both can mean in the name of, 旗號 implies a sense of deception or using a facade, whereas 名義 is a neutral term for acting on behalf of someone or something.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
