lou5 faan1老翻
Jyutpinglou5 faan1
Yalelóuh fāan
Definition
Pirated goods, especially CDs.
colloquialshoppingtechnology
How it's used
Originally referring specifically to pirated optical discs like VCDs and DVDs, the term has expanded to cover almost any counterfeit or unauthorized reproduction of intellectual property. It carries a slightly informal and dismissive tone, often implying that the quality is inferior to the genuine article. It is widely understood across all generations in Hong Kong.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
This disc is a pirated copy, the picture quality is terrible.
Why did you buy so many pirated goods to bring home?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this term in formal business or legal contexts, as it is strictly colloquial. Use 盜版 instead when writing official reports or discussing copyright law seriously.
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.
