有關當局

The Authorities Concerned

Level 6Sounds Like jau5 gwaan1 dong1 guk6

有關當局 (jau5 gwaan1 dong1 guk6) is a high-level formal expression used to refer to government bodies or administrative organizations responsible for a specific matter. It is the standard term for 'the authorities' in news and official documents.

How It Works

有關當局 (jau5 gwaan1 dong1 guk6) is a Level 6 formal expression. While everyday Cantonese uses terms like 政府 (zing3 fu2 - 'government'), professional contexts require specific administrative terms. For example, while 差人 (caai1 jan4) is common for 'police', the professional term is 警方 (ging2 fong1), and 有關當局 serves as a broader umbrella term for any relevant governing body.

1. Usage Contexts:

  • News Media: Reporting on investigations, policy changes, or public safety warnings.
  • Legal/Official Documents: Referring to the body with jurisdiction over a contract or regulation.
  • Public Announcements: Urging citizens to report issues to the 'relevant authorities.'

2. Grammatical Role:
It acts as a standard noun. In formal writing, it does not require the possessive marker 嘅 (ge3) between the two parts; adding it (有關嘅當局) can sound like 'translationese.' However, in natural spoken Cantonese, such as during government hearings or formal speeches, speakers may occasionally include 嘅 (ge3) for clarity or emphasis.

3. Nuance and Phonology:
It carries a sense of official distance, referring to the 'office in charge' (當局) rather than specific individuals. Crucially, 當局 mostly refers to government or statutory bodies; for private companies, the usual word is 管理層 (gun2 lei5 cang4 - 'management') instead. Unlike many Cantonese words that undergo a tone change in speech, 當局 is an abstract collective noun and is strictly pronounced dong1 guk6 (tone 6) in all contexts; using tone 2 (dong1 guk2) would sound incorrect. A common alternative for this phrase is 有關部門 (jau5 gwaan1 bou6 mun4), which specifically refers to 'relevant departments.'

Examples (4)

  1. 有關當局正跟進個案，暫時未有進一步消息。

    The authorities concerned are following up on the case; there is no further news at the moment.

    Word by Word: Related authorities [progressive marker] follow up case, temporary not yet have further news.

    Here, 有關當局 acts as the subject. The verb 跟進 (gan1 zeon3 - 'follow up') is a common formal collocation.

  2. 市民如發現可疑物品，應立即通知有關當局。

    If members of the public find suspicious objects, they should immediately notify the relevant authorities.

    Word by Word: Citizens if find suspicious objects, should immediately notify related authorities.

    In this public safety context, 有關當局 is the object of the verb 通知 (tung1 zi1 - 'notify').

  3. 有關當局已批准該項建築工程。

    The authorities concerned have already approved the construction project.

    Word by Word: Related authorities already approve that [item] construction project.

    This demonstrates the phrase used in an administrative approval context. 批准 (pai1 zeon2 - 'approve') is another high-level formal verb.

  4. 有關當局呼籲市民保持冷靜。

    The authorities concerned urge the public to remain calm.

    Word by Word: Related authorities appeal citizens maintain calm.

    呼籲 (fu1 jyu6 - 'appeal/urge') is a classic 'news-style' verb frequently paired with this pattern.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the phrase in casual conversation.

    我會問下有關當局邊度有廁所。
    我會問下職員邊度有廁所。

    Using 有關當局 to ask where a toilet is sounds unnaturally stiff or sarcastic. In casual settings, use specific terms like 職員 (zik1 jyun4 - 'staff') or simply 'the government'.

  • Adding the possessive marker 'ge3' between the words.

    有關嘅當局
    有關當局

    In formal administrative Cantonese, the relationship is direct. Adding 嘅 (ge3) makes the phrase sound like a clunky translation rather than a native term.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

有關當局Level 6The Authorities Concerned

Learn This First

To understand '有關當局' (the authorities concerned), learners need to be familiar with formal Cantonese registers. It is a set phrase used in official contexts, news reporting, and written announcements rather than casual conversation. Understanding the formal use of '有關' (related/concerned) and the general vocabulary of officialdom is essential.

Words in This Pattern

当局有关