to4 tit3跎鐵跎铁
Jyutpingto4 tit3
Yaletòh tit
Definition
To carry a gun, to be armed, or to work as a police officer.
- slangto carry a gun; to be armed
- slangto work in the police force
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
This term is specific to Hong Kong police culture and refers to the act of carrying a service weapon. It carries a slightly gritty or informal tone, often used when discussing the professional duties of officers or in crime-related contexts. While it literally implies carrying metal, it is exclusively understood as carrying a firearm.
Examples
He used to be a police officer and was always armed.
Related words
Common phrases
to carry a gun to work
Common mistake
Do not use this term to describe carrying any metal object, as it is strictly reserved for firearms. Using it for other items will sound confusing or nonsensical to native speakers.
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.
