siu2 faan2小販小贩
Jyutpingsiu2 faan2
Yalesíu fáan
Definition
Hawker or street vendor; a person who sets up a roadside stall to sell goods.
colloquialpeopleplaces
How it's used
Refers specifically to unlicensed street vendors who operate informally on sidewalks or in public spaces. It carries a slightly nostalgic or gritty connotation, often associated with the bustling street culture of older Hong Kong districts. While the term is neutral, the activity itself is strictly regulated by the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
The fish balls sold by that hawker are delicious.
Do you see any hawkers set up at the street corner?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe shop owners or employees in permanent retail stores, as it implies a mobile or temporary setup on the street.
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.
