luk6 lei1六喱
Jyutpingluk6 lei1
Yaleluhk lēi
Definition
A derogatory term for a mainland Chinese immigrant in Hong Kong.
slangpeopleslang
How it's used
This term is derived from the pronunciation of the number 66 in Mandarin, which sounds like the word for a mainland immigrant in Cantonese. It carries a strong derogatory and xenophobic tone, often used to mock the accent or cultural habits of new arrivals. Using this word is considered offensive and socially unacceptable in polite or neutral conversation.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He speaks like a mainland immigrant, I cannot understand him.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners should avoid using this term entirely, as it is a slur rather than a neutral descriptor. It is not a standard way to refer to people from the mainland and will likely cause significant offense if used in public.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
