Is It Rude to Give a Clock as a Gift in Hong Kong?
, by Divya Chatani de Tourani, 2 min reading time
Yes — giving a clock is one of the most widely recognized gifting taboos in Hong Kong, due to a phrase that sounds like "attending a funeral" in Cantonese. Here's why, plus other gifts to avoid.
Yes — in Hong Kong and across most Chinese-influenced gifting cultures, giving a clock as a gift is considered a serious faux pas. Here's why, and what to give instead.
Why clocks are avoided
In Cantonese, the phrase "give a clock" (送鐘, sùng zŭng) sounds nearly identical to a phrase associated with attending a funeral or seeing someone off at the end of their life. Because of that wordplay, gifting a clock is strongly associated with death and is considered bad luck, regardless of how nice the clock is or how well-intentioned the gift. As Cheng & Tsui, a long-established publisher of Chinese-language and culture resources, explains, giving someone a clock can be read as implying you're waiting for them to die — not the message anyone intends to send.
This isn't a minor preference — it's one of the most widely recognized gifting taboos in Cantonese culture, and it applies whether you're gifting a wall clock, a watch is generally fine, or any timepiece explicitly marketed as a "clock."
Other gifts to avoid in Hong Kong
A few other items carry similar unlucky associations, worth knowing if you're gifting in Hong Kong:
- Shoes — in Cantonese, the word for "shoes" sounds similar to a word associated with sighing or hardship
- Pears — sound similar to the word for "separation," making them an odd choice as a gift, especially for couples
- Anything in sets of four — "four" sounds close to the word for "death"
- Sharp objects like knives or scissors — can symbolize "cutting off" a relationship
- Black or white wrapping — both colors are associated with mourning and funerals
What to give instead
Safe, well-regarded choices lean toward red or gold wrapping, even numbers (pairs are considered lucky), and pieces that are useful without being tied to any of the above associations — tableware, home decor, and hand-painted objects are all safe, appreciated territory.
For more on Hong Kong gifting customs, see our full Hong Kong Gifting Guide, our guide to artisan gifting in Hong Kong, or browse Home Decor and Tableware for gift ideas that avoid every item on this list.