laam4 dang1 lung4藍燈籠蓝灯笼

Jyutpinglaam4 dang1 lung4

Yalelàahm dāng lùhng

名詞

Definition

Blue lantern; can refer to a funeral lantern, a police vehicle, or an unofficial triad recruit.

a blue lantern hung outside a home during a traditional Chinese funeral
slanga police car
slangan unofficial triad recruit who has a protector but has not been formally initiated

slangpeopleslang

How it's used

This term carries a strong underworld connotation when referring to a triad associate, distinguishing them from a full member. In the context of police, it is slang used to avoid saying the word police directly, often serving as a warning to others in the vicinity. The funeral usage is literal and distinct from the criminal slang, though both share the same visual imagery of a marker or signal.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

keoi5佢zung6仲hai6係go3個laam4藍dang1燈lung4籠，mei6未zing3正sik1式jap6入wui2會㗎。

He is still a blue lantern, not yet formally initiated into the triad.

cin4前min6面jau5有gaa3架laam4藍dang1燈lung4籠，daai6大gaa1家siu2小sam1心di1啲。

There is a police vehicle ahead, everyone be careful.

Common phrases

zou6做laam4藍dang1燈lung4籠

to act as a triad associate

Common mistake

Be careful not to use this term in a formal setting, as it is heavily associated with triad jargon and street slang. Using it to refer to an actual blue-colored lantern in a non-funeral context might cause confusion due to the strong criminal association.