to4 paau3跎炮
Jyutpingto4 paau3
Yaletòh paau
Definition
To carry a gun; to be armed with a firearm, typically referring to police officers on duty.
- slangto carry a gun; to be armed with a firearm
- slangto work in the police force
slangworkpeople
How it's used
This term is specific to the Hong Kong police force and carries a slightly rough, streetwise edge. It is rarely used in formal settings or official reports, as it functions more like slang among the public to describe the act of carrying a firearm or being a cop. It captures the visual image of the heavy equipment police carry on their belts.
Examples
Why are you so nervous? It is not like you are going to be armed.
Related words
Common phrases
to go to work as an armed police officer
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe carrying any type of weapon, as it is almost exclusively reserved for police officers and their service pistols. Using it for a criminal carrying a weapon would sound unnatural and incorrect.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
