旗袍
kei4 pou2
The English phrase qipao is translated into Cantonese as 旗袍 (kei4 pou2).
旗袍 refers to a traditional dress worn by Chinese women.
Meaning: a traditional dress worn by Chinese women (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 旗 (kei4), meaning 'banner' or 'flag' and 袍 (pou2), meaning 'robe'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong, some locals might refer to qipao as coeng4 ba1.
How do you pronounce it?
kei4 pou2
Did you know?
- Despite being a symbol of femininity, the 旗袍 was adopted by some women in early 20th-century urban centers as a political statement of liberation and gender equality.
- The modern, tight-fitting silhouette of the 旗袍 was actually developed in 1920s Shanghai, evolving from the loose, wide robes originally worn by Manchu women.
- In Hong Kong, the term 旗袍 can sometimes be used interchangeably with 'Cheongsam', but 'Cheongsam' is specifically the Cantonese romanization of 長衫.
Examples in context
- 你着嗰件紅色嘅長衫好漂亮！You look stunning in that red cheongsam!
- 着隻黑色嘅長衫好時髦㗎喎！That black chèuhngsaam looks so stylish!
- 呢件旗袍好靚。ni1 gin6 kei4 pou4 hou2 leng3.This qipao is very beautiful.
- 佢著咗件紅色旗袍。keoi5 zoek6 zo2 gin6 hung4 sik1 kei4 pou4.She is wearing a red qipao.
- 我想買件旗袍。ngo5 soeng2 maai5 gin6 kei4 pou4.I want to buy a qipao.
Example conversation
Yating and Kam Ming are getting ready for a wedding.
- 家明 Ka Ming雅婷，你著旗袍好靚呀。aa2 ting4, nei5 zoek3 kei4 pou4 hou2 leng3 aa3.Yating, you look beautiful in a qipao.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting多謝你，家明。do1 ze6 nei5, gaa1 ming4.Thank you, Kam Ming.
- 家明 Ka Ming呢件旗袍喺邊度買嘅？ni1 gin6 kei4 pou4 hai2 bin1 dou6 maai5 ge3?Where did you buy this qipao?
- 雅婷 Nga Ting喺市中心嗰間舖頭買嘅。hai2 si5 zung1 sam1 go2 gaan1 pou3 tau4 maai5 ge3.I bought it at that shop in the city center.
