paai3 tong2派糖
Jyutpingpaai3 tong2
Yalepaai tóng
Definition
To hand out candy, or figuratively to distribute welfare, benefits, or handouts.
- to hand out candies
- figurativeto distribute welfare, benefits, or handouts
colloquialmoneyother
How it's used
Originating from the literal act of handing out sweets to children, this term has evolved into a common political metaphor for government handouts or tax relief measures. It is frequently used in news reports and casual discussions about the annual budget announcement. The tone is slightly informal and sometimes carries a hint of cynicism, implying that the benefits might be temporary or superficial.
Examples
Will there be any welfare handouts in this year's budget?
The government distributed welfare, so grassroots citizens are a bit happier.
Related words
Common phrases
government handouts
budget welfare measures
Common mistake
Do not use this term to describe actual candy distribution at a birthday party or event, as it is almost exclusively reserved for financial or social welfare contexts. Using it in a literal sense can sound confusing or sarcastic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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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.
