zaap6 caai1 fong4雜差房杂差房
Jyutpingzaap6 caai1 fong4
Yalejaahp chāai fòhng
Definition
The criminal investigation department of a police station, or a police detention cell.
colloquialplaces
How it's used
This term is heavily associated with older Hong Kong police dramas and colonial-era terminology. While it specifically refers to the detective or investigation unit within a local station, it is rarely used in modern professional or official contexts. Younger generations might find it slightly dated or associated with the gritty, underworld-adjacent atmosphere of classic cinema.
Measure word
gaan1間gānExamples
He was taken into the CID office for questioning.
Do you know where the CID office is?
Related words
Common phrases
to be taken into the CID office
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with a general police station, which is simply 差館. Using this term to refer to the entire building will sound unnatural or archaic.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- 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.
- 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.
