waang4 seoi2 dou6橫水艔
Jyutpingwaang4 seoi2 dou6
Yalewàahng séui douh
Definition
A traditional public ferry service operated on sampans or small boats.
colloquialtransportplaces
How it's used
Refers specifically to small, informal boat crossings that connect two points across a narrow waterway. It evokes a sense of nostalgia for old Hong Kong, as these services have largely been replaced by bridges or modern ferry infrastructure. The term is rarely used for large-scale commercial ferries.
Measure word
gaa3架gaExamples
In the past, you had to take the sampan ferry to get over there.
Is there still a sampan ferry service to take here?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with standard ferry services like 天星小輪, which are large, scheduled vessels. Using this word for a modern, large ferry sounds incorrect and out of place.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
