leoi4 gung1 gwang1雷公轟雷公轰
Jyutpingleoi4 gung1 gwang1
Yalelèuih gūng gwāng
Definition
A pawnshop that charges unreasonably high interest.
colloquialmoneyslang
How it's used
Literally referring to the thunder god striking, this term captures the feeling of being hit by an impossibly high price or interest rate. It is used metaphorically to describe any business or person that exploits customers through extreme greed. It carries a strong sense of moral indignation rather than just being a description of high costs.
Examples
That pawnshop is basically a total rip-off.
Related words
Common phrases
simply a total rip-off
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe actual weather or literal thunder, as it is strictly a slang term for exploitative practices. It is also not used for high prices in general retail, but specifically for predatory lending or pawnshop-style transactions.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
