tit3 maa5鐵馬铁马
Definition
A metal crowd control barrier, or a police motorcycle.
- a movable metal crowd control barrier or fence
- a police motorcycle, or by extension, a police motorcyclist
How it's used
Originally referring to police motorcycles, the term has evolved to describe the interlocking metal crowd control barriers frequently seen on Hong Kong streets. When used for the barriers, it highlights their portable and temporary nature compared to permanent railings. Context is key, as the word shifts between the vehicle and the object depending on whether the speaker is discussing traffic enforcement or public event management.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin term for a bicycle, which is also sometimes called a iron horse in other regions. In Hong Kong, using this to refer to a bicycle will cause confusion, as it almost exclusively refers to police vehicles or crowd control barriers.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
