paau3 zoeng2炮仗
Jyutpingpaau3 zoeng2
Yalepaau jéung
Definition
Firecracker; a roll of gunpowder wrapped in red paper that produces a series of loud bangs when lit.
colloquialfestivaldaily actions
How it's used
Burning firecrackers is a traditional activity to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck during the Lunar New Year. While it remains a strong cultural symbol, the actual use of traditional firecrackers is strictly prohibited in Hong Kong due to safety and fire hazards. People now often use electronic versions or sound effects to replicate the atmosphere.
Measure word
cyun3串chyunExamples
During the New Year, my family likes to set off firecrackers.
Did you play with firecrackers when you were little?
Related words
Common phrases
to set off firecrackers
Common mistake
Do not confuse the verb 燒 with 點. While 點 is used for the act of lighting the fuse, 燒 is the conventional verb used to describe the entire process of setting off firecrackers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
