suk6 gam1贖金赎金
Jyutpingsuk6 gam1
Yalesuhk gām
Definition
Ransom; money demanded by kidnappers for the release of a hostage.
neutralmoneypeople
How it's used
This term is almost exclusively used in the context of criminal kidnappings or hostage situations. It carries a heavy, serious tone and is frequently encountered in news reports or crime dramas rather than casual conversation. While it refers to money, it is distinct from generic terms like 錢 because it specifically implies a coercive demand for the release of a person.
Measure word
bat1筆bātExamples
The kidnappers demanded a very high ransom.
Have they managed to raise the ransom yet?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with 賠償, which refers to compensation or damages paid for losses or accidents. Remember that 贖金 is specifically linked to extortion or kidnapping scenarios.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
