ngau1 dong3勾當勾当
Jyutpingngau1 dong3
Yalengāu dong
Definition
Shady business; dirty deals or illegitimate activities.
colloquialother
How it's used
This term carries a strong negative connotation and is almost exclusively used to describe illicit or morally questionable activities. It implies a sense of secrecy or conspiracy, suggesting that the actions are being hidden from public view. It is rarely used in professional or neutral contexts, as it immediately frames the subject matter as criminal or unethical.
Measure word
bat1筆bātExamples
What kind of shady business are they pulling behind our backs?
I will absolutely not participate in these illegal activities.
Related words
Common phrases
illegal activity
shady business that cannot be seen in the light
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a neutral word for business or trade, but it is strictly derogatory. Using it to describe a legitimate job or a standard commercial transaction will sound bizarre or accusatory to a native speaker.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
