潮語
ciu4 jyu5
The Cantonese word for slang is 潮語 (ciu4 jyu5).
潮語 refers specifically to modern internet slang or trendy buzzwords used by younger generations.
Meaning: unconventional language (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 潮 (trendy/fashionable) and 語 (language).
Which one should you use?
While 潮語 refers to trendy/new slang, 俗語 refers to traditional colloquialisms or common sayings that have been part of the language for a long time.
How do you pronounce it?
ciu4 jyu5
Did you know?
- The character 潮 originally means 'tide' in English. In modern Cantonese, it shifted to mean 'trendy' because trends are seen as waves that flow in and out of popularity.
- Many 潮語 terms are created using numeric codes or homophones from Mandarin, which are then adapted into Cantonese pronunciation to bypass internet sensors.
- Because 潮語 evolves so rapidly, Hong Kong newspapers often publish specialized dictionaries or guides to help older generations keep up with the latest terms.
Examples in context
- 白痴Idiot
- 佢哋成日用潮語。keoi5 dei6 seng4 jat6 jung6 ciu4 jyu5.They use slang all the time.
- 呢啲潮語好難明。ni1 di1 ciu4 jyu5 hou2 naan4 ming4.This slang is very hard to understand.
- 我想學吓啲新潮語。ngo5 soeng2 hok6 aa3 di1 san1 ciu4 jyu5.I want to learn some new slang.
Example conversation
A young man and woman are chatting about internet trends.
- 子健 Tsz Kin你知唔知呢個潮語？nei5 zi1 m4 zi1 ni1 go3 ciu4 jyu5?Do you know this slang?
- 美玲 Mei Ling我唔係好明。ngo5 m4 hai6 hou2 ming4.I don't really understand it.
- 子健 Tsz Kin呢個潮語好流行。ni1 go3 ciu4 jyu5 hou2 lau4 hang4.This slang is very popular.
- 美玲 Mei Ling咁我再去查吓。gam2 ngo5 zoi3 heoi3 caa4 aa3.Then I'll go look it up.
