siu2 baak3 fo3小百貨小百货

Jyutpingsiu2 baak3 fo3

Yalesíu baak fo

Definition

Sundry goods; small household articles of daily use.

colloquialshoppingplaces

How it's used

Refers specifically to small, independent shops that stock a wide variety of inexpensive household necessities. While modern convenience stores have largely replaced them, the term evokes a nostalgic feeling of traditional neighborhood retail. It is distinct from larger supermarkets because the focus is on utility items like sewing kits, plastic basins, or basic hardware.

Measure word

gaan1間gān

Examples

le1呢gaan1間siu2小baak3百fo3貨maai6賣hou2好do1多sang1生wut6活zaap6雜fo3貨。

This sundry shop sells many household items.

nei5你heoi3去go2嗰gaan1間siu2小baak3百fo3貨maai5買zo2咗mei6未aa4呀？

Have you bought it from that sundry shop yet?

Common phrases

sang1生wut6活siu2小baak3百fo3貨

daily household sundry goods

gau6舊sik1式siu2小baak3百fo3貨

old style sundry shop

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with a department store, which is much larger and carries higher end goods. It is also not a place to buy fresh food or groceries, as those are typically found in a街市.