sai3 maa5細馬细马
Jyutpingsai3 maa5
Yalesai máh
Definition
A police patrol motorcycle assigned to local districts rather than traffic headquarters.
colloquialtransportpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to the smaller motorcycles used by district-level police units for routine patrol duties. It contrasts with the heavier, more powerful motorcycles used by the Traffic Branch, which are colloquially known as 大馬. Using this term signals a familiarity with local police operations and vehicle types.
Measure word
gaa3架gaExamples
That police patrol motorcycle stopped the car at the intersection.
Did you see a police patrol motorcycle pass by just now?
Related words
Common phrases
patrol by police motorcycle
Common mistake
Do not use this term to refer to any small motorcycle in general, as it is strictly reserved for police vehicles. Calling a regular civilian scooter a 細馬 will cause confusion.
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.
