wong4 syu2 long4黃鼠狼黄鼠狼
Jyutpingwong4 syu2 long4
Yalewòhng syú lòhng
Definition
Siberian weasel; a slender animal with short legs, a long tail, and reddish-yellow fur.
neutralanimals
How it's used
The term is most famous for the idiom 黃鼠狼畀雞拜年，冇安好心， which describes someone who approaches others with malicious intent. Because of this cultural association, the animal is often viewed as a symbol of treachery or a bad omen in folk tales. It is rarely encountered in urban Hong Kong, so the word is primarily used in the context of stories or metaphors.
Measure word
zek3隻jekExamples
I heard there is a Siberian weasel appearing around there.
Do Siberian weasels really steal chickens to eat?
Related words
Common phrases
a weasel wishing a happy new year (a metaphor for someone with ulterior motives)
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with a common pet ferret, as the cultural baggage of being a 'chicken thief' is very specific to the image of the wild animal in Chinese folklore.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
