kwong3 gung1曠工旷工
Jyutpingkwong3 gung1
Yalekwong gūng
Definition
To be absent from work without leave, a valid reason, or prior notice.
writtenwork
How it's used
Carries a formal and serious tone, often appearing in employment contracts or disciplinary warnings. While it refers to the act of missing work without notice, it implies a level of professional misconduct rather than just being late or taking a sick day. In casual conversation, people might simply say 唔返工 or 走堂 if referring to school.
Examples
He went AWOL out of nowhere, it is really irresponsible.
Why did you skip work? Why didn't you call to ask for leave?
Related words
Common phrases
absent from work without reason
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with general absence. It specifically implies an unexcused, sudden disappearance from work, whereas using 請假 covers standard, approved absences.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
