86

Loan Word

Chinese Characters

Meaning

Gung ho

I A

*Gweilo

Literally 'ghost' or 'devil man', used to refer to Westerners. Widely current in Hong Kong.

Han

Of, relating to, or having the characteristic of, the period of the Han dynasty; of, relating to, or being a nationality group of Chinese descended from the original Chinese constituting an overwhelming majority of the population and the dominant cultural group: belonging to the Chinese proper as distinguished from other nationality groups.

Hakka

客家

One of a tribe or race of Chinese dwelling in parts of southern China, particularly in the province of Canton, descendants of immigrants from northern China in the middle ages; also their dialect,

Hoey (wui)

A society of Chinese; especially a secret society. In Hong Kong a savings club.

Hong

A foreign trading establishment in China or Japan.

Hyson

熙春

A species of green tea from China.

I-ching

易經

An ancient Chinese book of divination and a source of Confucian and Taoist philosophy.

*Kaito

街渡

Literally 'street ferry', used to refer to boats plying between various points in Hong Kong.

*Kaifong

街力(坊)

Literally 'street square', used to refer to a neighbourhood, especially to community organizations.

Kaolin

高嶺

A fine white clay produced by the decomposition of feldspar, used in the manufacture of porcelain; first employed by the Chinese, but subsequently found in many places.

Ketchup

茄汁

A sauce made from the juice of mushrooms, walnuts, tomatoes, etc.

Kowtow

叩頭

The Chinese custom of touching the ground with the forehead, as an expression of respect, submission, or worship.

*Kuk

Literally 'association', 'society', 'committee'.

*Kung hei fat choy

恭喜發財

Literally 'wish you grow prosperous'. A Chinese New Year greeting.

Share This Page