zi6 faa1字花
Jyutpingzi6 faa1
Yalejih fā
Definition
An illegal lottery game formerly popular in Hong Kong, based on guessing one of thirty-six names or objects.
colloquialother
How it's used
Refers to a specific historical form of lottery that was deeply embedded in the social fabric of old Hong Kong before the legalization of Mark Six. It functioned as a community activity where people would interpret riddles or dreams to guess the winning character. While the game itself has largely vanished, the term remains a cultural touchstone for discussing the city's past gambling habits.
Measure word
zung3種jungExamples
Old people in the past really liked playing Zi Hua.
Related words
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.
