paa4 teng5扒艇
Jyutpingpaa4 teng5
Yalepàh téhng
Definition
To paddle a small boat, or to drive a taxi.
- to paddle a small boat
- slangto drive a taxi
colloquialtransportdaily actions
How it's used
The term carries a strong sense of labor, specifically referring to the repetitive motion of rowing or the long hours spent behind the wheel. When used in the context of taxi driving, it implies a nomadic, freelance style of work where the driver is constantly moving through the streets looking for passengers. It is a classic example of how Hong Kong slang uses physical imagery to describe modern urban occupations.
Examples
Shall we go paddle a boat in Tai O tomorrow?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 扒手, which means a pickpocket. While both share the character 扒, the former is a verb for rowing or driving, whereas the latter is a noun for a thief.
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.
