波氣球
bo1 hei3 kau4
The Cantonese word for balloon is 波氣球 (bo1 hei3 kau4).
The term refers to a balloon used as a child's toy.
Meaning: child’s toy (noun)
Which one should you use?
The term 氣球 is a more formal way to say balloon.
How do you pronounce it?
bo1 hei3 kau4
Did you know?
- While 氣球 refers to the object, the action of blowing up a balloon uses the verb 吹, which also means 'to brag' or 'to boast' in colloquial Cantonese.
- The word 波 (bo1) is a loanword from the English word 'ball'. It is used as a shorthand for many types of bouncy or spherical objects in Cantonese.
- The character 氣 in 氣球 refers to 'air' or 'breath' and is the same character used in 氣功, the traditional practice of controlling breath for health.
Example conversation
Yating and Zikien are at a birthday party.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting子健，你想唔想攞個波氣球？zi2 gin6, nei5 soeng2 m4 soeng2 lo2 go3 bo1 hei3 kau4?Zikien, do you want a balloon?
- 子健 Tsz Kin我想！我要藍色嗰個。ngo5 soeng2! ngo5 jiu3 laan4 sik1 go2 go3.I do! I want that blue one.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting好，等我幫你攞。hou2, dang2 ngo5 bong1 nei5 lo2.Okay, let me get it for you.
- 子健 Tsz Kin多謝你，雅婷。do1 ze6 nei5, ngaa5 ting4.Thank you, Yating.
