ngong4 gwai3昂貴昂贵
Jyutpingngong4 gwai3
Yalengòhng gwai
Definition
Expensive; costly; high-priced.
neutralmoneydescriptions
How it's used
While 昂貴 is a valid term for expensive, it carries a formal or literary tone that is less common in casual daily speech. Most Hong Kongers prefer using 貴 when talking about prices in everyday life. Use 昂貴 when you want to sound more professional, descriptive, or when emphasizing the high value of an item in a slightly more serious context.
Examples
This shirt is very expensive, I cannot afford it.
Do you think this handbag is very expensive?
Related words
Common phrases
the price is very high
a high price to pay
Common mistake
Avoid using 昂貴 as a direct replacement for 貴 in every situation, as it can sound overly dramatic or stiff in casual conversation. It is best reserved for written descriptions or formal discussions about luxury goods.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
