saa1 zeng2沙井

Jyutpingsaa1 zeng2

Yalesā jéng

名詞

Definition

Manhole; an opening to an underground utility or sewer system used for access and maintenance.

colloquialplaceswork

How it's used

Refers specifically to the access point for underground utility networks like sewage or drainage systems. While it literally translates to sand well, it is the standard term for any maintenance hole in the street. It is frequently used in news reports regarding road works or flooding issues.

Measure word

go3個go

Examples

siu2小sam1心aa4呀，cin4前min6面jau5有go3個saa1沙zeng2井hoi1開zo2咗koi3蓋。

Watch out, there is a manhole open ahead.

gung1工jan4人lok6落zo2咗heoi3去saa1沙zeng2井zou6做wai4維sau1修mei6未aa4呀？

Have the workers gone down into the manhole to do repairs yet?

Common phrases

saa1沙zeng2井goi3蓋

manhole cover

hoi1開saa1沙zeng2井

open a manhole

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with a literal well for water, which is usually called 水井. Using 沙井 to refer to a water well will cause confusion as it implies a sewage or drainage access point.