wong4 paai2黃牌黄牌

Jyutpingwong4 paai2

Yalewòngh pái

Definition

(sports) yellow card

colloquialsportsdescriptions

How it's used

Beyond sports, this term is frequently used in office or social settings to mean a formal warning or a final notice before more serious consequences. It carries a sense of being given a chance to correct behavior before being removed or penalized. When used metaphorically, it often implies that someone has crossed a line but has not yet been completely disqualified.

Measure word

zoeng1張jēung

Examples

kau4 zing3 zik1 hak1 lo2 zoeng1 wong4 paai2 ceot1 lai4

球證即刻攞張黃牌出嚟。

The referee immediately took out a yellow card.

keoi5 tek3 bo1 gam3 cou1 lou5 hai6 mai6 jiu3 sik6 wong4 paai2 aa4

佢踢波咁粗魯，係咪要食黃牌呀？

He plays football so roughly, does he deserve a yellow card?

Common phrases

ceot1 si6 wong4 paai2

出示黃牌

to show a yellow card

sik6 wong4 paai2

食黃牌

to receive a yellow card

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with 紅牌, which signifies an immediate ejection from the game. While a yellow card is a warning, two yellow cards result in a red card, so learners should be careful not to imply that a yellow card ends the player's participation in the match.