luk6 ji1綠衣绿衣
Jyutpingluk6 ji1
Yaleluhk yī
Definition
A Hong Kong police officer during the early 20th century, named after their green uniforms.
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How it's used
This term refers specifically to the uniform worn by the Hong Kong Police Force during the colonial era, which was a distinct dark green color. It is now a historical term used primarily by older generations or in period dramas to evoke the atmosphere of the mid 20th century. Using it to describe a modern police officer would be confusing or sound like a deliberate attempt to sound archaic.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
People back then would be very scared when they saw a police officer.
Back then, who would dare to go against the police?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe modern police officers, as it is strictly a historical term for the colonial era uniform. Modern police are referred to as 差人 or 阿Sir.
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.
