社工
se5 gung1
The English phrase "social worker" is translated into Cantonese as 社工 (se5 gung1).
The term refers to a person whose profession is social work.
Meaning: person whose profession is social work (noun)
Which one should you use?
社會工作者 is a more formal version of the term.
How do you pronounce it?
se5 gung1
Did you know?
- The word 社 in 社工 comes from 社會, meaning 'society', which literally translates to 'the gathering of altars' in ancient Chinese history.
- In Hong Kong, 社工 are often the gatekeepers for essential government services, as they are the primary intermediaries for accessing housing and financial subsidies.
- While 社工 refers to the professional, if you want to describe someone who is just being 'socially helpful' without a job title, you would use different terms to avoid sounding like you are assigning them a career.
Examples in context
- 佢係一位社工。keoi5 hai6 jat1 wai2 se5 gung1.She is a social worker.
- 我諗我需要搵社工。ngo5 sam2 ngo5 seoi1 jiu3 wan2 se5 gung1.I think I need to find a social worker.
- 呢間機構有好多社工。ni1 gaan1 kau1 kau1 jau5 hou2 do1 se5 gung1.This organization has many social workers.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing their career paths.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan俊傑，你將來想做咩工作？jun2 kit3, nei5 zoeng1 loi4 soeng2 zou6 me1 gung1 zok3?Jun Kit, what job do you want to do in the future?
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我想做社工去幫啲弱勢社群。ngo5 soeng2 zou6 se5 gung1 heoi3 bong1 di1 joek3 sai3 se5 kwan4.I want to be a social worker to help underprivileged communities.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan做社工壓力好大㗎。zou6 se5 gung1 aat3 lik6 hou2 daai6 gaa3.Being a social worker is very stressful.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我知道，但我好想嘗試。ngo5 zi1 dou6, daan6 ngo5 hou2 soeng2 si4 dong3.I know, but I really want to try.
