liu4 uk1寮屋
Jyutpingliu4 uk1
Yalelìuh ūk
Definition
Squatter hut or shack; a makeshift dwelling built illegally on occupied land, typically made of tin or wood.
neutralplaceshome
How it's used
Historical context is inseparable from this term, as it refers specifically to unauthorized structures built on government land, often associated with the post-war influx of refugees. While it technically describes a type of housing, it carries a strong connotation of poverty and precarious living conditions. It is frequently used in news reports regarding urban redevelopment or land policy.
Measure word
gaan1間gānExamples
He lived in a shantytown when he was young, and the environment was very poor.
When will the government clear those shacks?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with general terms for small houses or huts like 屋仔, as 寮屋 specifically implies an illegal or squatter status that carries legal and social implications in Hong Kong.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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.
