maai5 lau2買樓买楼
Jyutpingmaai5 lau2
Yalemáaih láu
Definition
To buy a house, apartment, or flat.
colloquialmoneyhome
How it's used
Refers specifically to purchasing residential property, which is a major life milestone in Hong Kong. It is almost exclusively used to describe buying a flat or apartment rather than a detached house, given the local housing landscape. The term carries a strong connotation of financial commitment and long term planning.
Examples
He saved money for a long time before he could afford to buy a flat.
Related words
Common phrases
to buy a property for rental income
to save money to buy a property
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with renting, which is 租樓. People often use 買樓 even when they are technically purchasing a unit in a high rise building, so do not look for a word specifically for apartment versus house.
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.
