ming4 dek6鳴笛鸣笛
Jyutpingming4 dek6
Yalemìhng dehk
Definition
To sound a horn, siren, or whistle.
neutraltransport
How it's used
Focuses on the formal or mechanical act of sounding a horn rather than the casual act of honking at someone in traffic. While it is used in formal contexts like maritime or railway operations, it sounds quite stiff and technical when applied to everyday driving in Hong Kong. Most locals would simply use 撳喇叭 instead.
Examples
The car honked at the intersection, it's so noisy.
Why did you have to sound the horn inside the tunnel just now?
Common phrases
to sound the horn as a warning
Common mistake
Using this word to describe a driver honking at a pedestrian or another car often sounds overly formal or like a news report. Stick to 撳喇叭 for daily conversation.
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.
