tiu4 sin3條線条线

Jyutpingtiu4 sin3

Yaletìuh sin

Very common

Definition

A thread, a line, or a police informer.

a thread; a line
slanga police informer

colloquialslangother

How it's used

Beyond the literal meaning of a thread or line, this term is deeply embedded in Hong Kong crime slang to refer to a police informant. It carries a strong sense of betrayal or secrecy, often used in contexts involving triads or underground activities. When referring to the physical object, it is interchangeable with other words for string or wire, but the metaphorical usage is highly specific to law enforcement contexts.

Measure word

tiu4條tìuh

Examples

gin2件saam1衫ngau1勾zyu6住zo2咗tiu4條sin3線，hou2好naan4難caak3拆aa4呀。

The shirt got caught on a thread, it is hard to untangle.

keoi5佢hai6係caai1差jan4人sau1收maai5買ge3嘅tiu4條sin3線，zyun1專mun4門sau1收fung1風。

He is an informer bought by the police, specializing in gathering intelligence.

Common phrases

sau1收fung1風

to gather intelligence

ngau1勾zyu6住

to get snagged

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the general word for line or route, which is usually just 線. Using 條線 to describe a bus route or a queue would sound unnatural or incorrect to a native speaker.