siu2 baa1小巴
Jyutpingsiu2 baa1
Yalesíu bā
Definition
Minibus; a light public bus in Hong Kong carrying up to 19 passengers.
colloquialtransport
How it's used
Distinguishing between red and green minibuses is essential for navigation, as red ones have flexible routes and cash-only payment, while green ones follow fixed schedules and accept Octopus cards. The term is a staple of daily life, often used in casual conversation when discussing commuting times or routes.
Measure word
gaa3架gaExamples
Do you know which minibus goes to Mong Kok?
I usually take the minibus to work.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the payment methods for different types of minibuses, which can lead to awkward moments when trying to use an Octopus card on a red minibus that only accepts cash.
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.
