seoi2 jin1水煙水烟
Jyutpingseoi2 jin1
Yaleséui yīn
Definition
Waterpipe; hookah, a method of smoking tobacco, opium, or cannabis through water.
colloquialother
How it's used
While the literal translation is water smoke, it specifically refers to the hookah apparatus and the activity of smoking it. It is frequently used as a verb in casual speech, where people say 食水煙 to mean smoking the device. It is a popular social activity in Hong Kong, often associated with lounges or bars that cater to younger crowds.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
They often go to Tsim Sha Tsui to smoke hookah.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 煙草, which refers to tobacco in general. Beginners sometimes mistake it for vaping, but they are distinct activities in local parlance.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
