se5 wui2 fuk1 lei6 cyu5社會福利署社会福利署
Jyutpingse5 wui2 fuk1 lei6 cyu5
Yaleséh wúi fūk leih chyúh
Definition
The Social Welfare Department of the Hong Kong government.
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How it's used
Locals almost always refer to this government department by its abbreviated name, 社署. Using the full name is reserved for formal documents, official correspondence, or when speaking to someone who might not be familiar with the shorthand. It carries a bureaucratic tone and is rarely used in casual conversation unless discussing specific policy or welfare applications.
Examples
You can go to the Social Welfare Department for help if you have problems.
Did you go to the Social Welfare Department to apply for the allowance?
Related words
Common phrases
Social Welfare Department staff
Social Welfare Department office
Common mistake
Learners often try to translate the full name word for word in casual speech, which sounds overly stiff and unnatural. Always use 社署 when speaking about the department in daily life.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
