siu2 faan2 zung1 sam1小販中心小贩中心
Jyutpingsiu2 faan2 zung1 sam1
Yalesíu fáan jūng sām
Definition
Hawker centre.
neutralfoodplaces
How it's used
This term is standard in Singapore and Malaysia but is rarely used in Hong Kong. Locals typically refer to similar open air food venues as 大牌檔 or simply use the term 食街. If you use this term in Hong Kong, people will understand you, but they will immediately identify you as someone familiar with Southeast Asian culture rather than a local.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Let's go to the hawker centre for lunch later.
What good food do you recommend at this hawker centre?
Related words
Common phrases
go to a hawker centre
eat at a hawker centre
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 大牌檔, which refers specifically to traditional Hong Kong street stalls that often have open seating on the pavement. Hawker centres are typically indoor or covered complexes with centralized seating, which is a different dining experience.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
