saam1 luk6三六
Jyutpingsaam1 luk6
Yalesāam luhk
Definition
Dog meat.
colloquialfoodother
How it's used
Using numbers to refer to taboo or sensitive food items is a traditional way to avoid direct mention in public settings. The logic relies on the homophony between 九 and 狗, which is a common linguistic device in Cantonese wordplay. This term is becoming increasingly rare as cultural attitudes toward eating dog meat shift significantly in modern society.
Examples
I heard that shop sells dog meat.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with other numerical slang, as the meaning is highly specific to this context and is not a general way to count items. It is considered an old-fashioned or euphemistic term that might sound strange or outdated to younger generations.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
