手令
sau² ling⁶
The Cantonese word for judicial warrant is 手令 (sau² ling⁶). Wiktionary also lists 花令紙 / 花令纸.
Meaning: judicial writ (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 手令 | sau² ling⁶ |
| 花令紙 / 花令纸 |
The term refers to a judicial writ.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 手令 (sau2 ling6) literally translates to 'hand order' or 'handwritten order'.
How do you pronounce it?
sau² ling⁶
Did you know?
- The character 令 (ling6) in the phrase is also a common surname in Cantonese-speaking regions, meaning the word for a legal warrant is phonetically identical to a person's family name.
- Because 手令 (sau2 ling6) implies a 'hand' order, it is conceptually distinct from electronic warrants, leading some older practitioners to distinguish between traditional paper writs and digital notifications.
- In older Cantonese literature, if an official was described as 'carrying a 手令', it could imply they possessed the power to command subordinates instantly without waiting for written paperwork. It emphasizes the authority of the person rather than the physical paper.
Examples in context
- 法官簽發了逮捕手令。faat3 gwaan1 zin1 faat3 liu5 dai2 bu2 sau2 ling6.The judge issued an arrest warrant.
- 你需要出示搜查手令。nei5 jiu3 jiu1 ceot1 si6 sau1 caa4 sau2 ling6.You need to present a search warrant.
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a news report about a police raid.
- 子健 Tsz Kin警方搜查嗰間公司有冇手令？fung1 fong1 sau1 caa4 go2 gaan1 gung1 si1 jau5 mou5 sau2 ling6?Did the police have a warrant to search that company?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung聽講係有手令嘅。ting1 gong2 hai6 jau5 sau2 ling6 ge3.I heard that there was a warrant.
- 子健 Tsz Kin咁就合法喇。gam2 zau6 hap6 faat3 laa3.Then it was legal.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung係，子健，你唔使擔心。hai6, zi2 gin6, nei5 m4 sai2 daan1 sam1.Yes, Zi Jian, you don't need to worry.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “warrant” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
