naai5 maa1奶媽奶妈
Jyutpingnaai5 maa1
Yalenáaih mā
Definition
Power bank; a portable external charger used to charge electronic devices via a USB cable.
colloquialtechnologyslang
How it's used
This term is a playful metaphor that treats the power bank like a wet nurse who provides life-sustaining energy to a device. It is extremely common in casual speech among younger generations and tech users in Hong Kong. Using this term instead of the more formal 外置充電器 makes you sound much more like a local.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Does your power bank still have any charge?
I must bring my power bank when I go out today.
Related words
Common phrases
to bring a power bank
power bank is out of battery
Common mistake
Do not use this term in formal business or professional settings, as it is strictly slang. Also, be aware that the literal meaning of a wet nurse is still understood, so context is key to avoid confusion.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
