英式桌球
jing1 sik1 zoek3 kau4
The English phrase snooker is translated into Cantonese as 英式桌球 (jing1 sik1 zoek3 kau4).
英式桌球 refers specifically to the cue sport snooker.
Meaning: cue sport (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 英式 (British style), 桌球 (table ball/billiards) and the phrase literally means 'British style billiards'.
Which one should you use?
While 英式桌球 specifically refers to snooker, the shorter term 桌球 is often used as a generic term for various cue sports or specifically for billiards/pool depending on the context.
How do you pronounce it?
jing1 sik1 zoek3 kau4
Did you know?
- In Hong Kong, the word 桌球 is used for both cue sports and table tennis, meaning you might be invited to play 'table balls' and find yourself at a ping-pong table.
- Unlike the descriptive Cantonese term, the version of the word used in mainland China is 斯诺克, which is a purely phonetic mimicry of the English sound.
- While 英式桌球 is the formal term, Cantonese speakers often use the loanword snooker in casual conversation, pronouncing it with a distinct Hong Kong accent.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing which game to play at a sports center.
- 子健 Tsz Kin美玲，我哋今日打英式桌球好唔好？mei5 ling4, ngo5 dei6 gam1 jat6 daa2 jing1 sik1 zok3 kau4 hou2 m4 hou2?Mei Ling, how about we play snooker today?
- 美玲 Mei Ling我唔太識打英式桌球，好難呀。ngo5 m4 taai3 sik1 daa2 jing1 sik1 zok3 kau4, hou2 naan4 aa3.I don't really know how to play snooker, it's very difficult.
- 子健 Tsz Kin唔緊要，我可以教你。m4 gan2 jiu3, ngo5 ho2 ji5 gaau3 nei5.It doesn't matter, I can teach you.
- 美玲 Mei Ling好呀，咁我試下啦。hou2 aa3, gam2 ngo5 si3 haa2 laa1.Okay, I will give it a try then.
