nai4 maang1泥鯭
Jyutpingnai4 maang1
Yalenàih māang
Definition
Mottled spinefoot, a type of rabbitfish commonly found in saltwater.
colloquialfoodtransport
How it's used
Beyond the literal fish, the term is famously used in the phrase 泥鯭的 to describe illegal taxis that pick up multiple passengers heading to the same destination. This usage stems from the way these fish are often caught in large groups, mirroring how passengers are packed into a single vehicle.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
The rabbit fish at the market today are very fresh.
Do you know how to steam rabbit fish?
Common mistake
Do not confuse the fish with the slang term for illegal ride sharing, as the latter carries a negative connotation regarding transport regulations.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
