ziu1 paai4 si1招牌詩招牌诗
Jyutpingziu1 paai4 si1
Yalejīu pàaih sī
Definition
Signboard poems; traditional poems recited by triad members as secret codes to identify their affiliation.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Historically, these verses served as a complex code for members of secret societies to identify one another without revealing their affiliations to outsiders. Today, the term is almost exclusively used in legal or historical contexts regarding triad activities. Because these poems are considered evidence of membership, reciting them in public can lead to immediate arrest under the Societies Ordinance.
Measure word
sau2首sáuExamples
He recited a few lines of the triad poem inside the police station.
Do you know how to interpret those triad poems?
Related words
Common phrases
recite a triad poem
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with actual poetry or literary recitations. Using this term in a casual conversation about literature or art will cause significant confusion, as it is strictly tied to criminal subculture.
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.
