waat6 bo1滑坡
Jyutpingwaat6 bo1
Yalewaaht bō
Definition
Landslide, or a steep decline or downturn used figuratively.
- landslide
- figurativea steep decline; a downturn; a slippery slope
neutralnaturework
How it's used
While 滑坡 is understood in Hong Kong, the term 山泥傾瀉 is the standard and preferred expression for a literal landslide in news reports and government communications. Using 滑坡 in a figurative sense to describe a downward trend or recession is common in formal writing or news analysis, but it sounds slightly more academic or borrowed from Mandarin compared to everyday Cantonese phrasing.
Examples
A landslide happened over there, and the road is blocked.
The economic downturn has left many people unemployed.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using 滑坡 in casual conversation to describe a literal landslide, as it may sound like you are reading a formal report; stick to 山泥傾瀉 for natural speech.
Grammar color guide
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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.
