Wherever we travel, we always try to pick up a few local phrases to show our respect for the local culture. The best part is that it almost always makes the trip more enjoyable, as the locals genuinely appreciate it when we try to connect with them in their language. Today, let's talk about some essential Cantonese phrases that will make your Hong Kong getaway more enjoyable!
(1) 你好 "nei hou" - Hello
The most commonly used greeting among the locals. It means hi or hello. Hong Kongers like to shake hands when meeting someone for the first time. Therefore, you can say "nei hou" while shaking hands with your new Hong Kong friends.
(2) 唔該 "m goi" - Thank You (casual)
Probably the most used phrase, even among locals, in daily life is "m goi," which is usually used when someone does a small favor for you, such as opening the door for you or helping you with your luggage.
(3) 多謝 "do ze" - Thank You (formal)
This also means thank you, but it's more formal than "m goi". When someone gives you a gift or does you a more enormous favor, such as upgrading your room to a presidential suite (every traveler's dream!), we will definitely say "do ze" with the biggest smile.
(4) 靚仔 "leng zai" - Good-looking Guy
This is an interesting one! In Hong Kong, when we go to a local restaurant or store, we like to call the male waiters or the store assistants "leng zai". It's almost like our way of saying "sir" but in a more friendly and casual way.
Fun Fact: It also means a bowl of steamed white rice in Cantonese restaurant.
(5) 靚女 "leng neoi"- Pretty Girl
Rule of Thumb - use it; women of all ages love to hear it! But don't worry; we will not take it the wrong way as it's so ingrained in our culture. Very similar to how we use "leng zai" a.k.a good-looking guy, we use "leng neoi" to address female waitresses or store assistants.
(6) 幾多錢 "gei do cin" - How much is it?
This is a handy phrase when you are shopping in a local market and want to ask for the price. It is socially acceptable in Hong Kong to bargain for prices in markets like the Flowers Markets, Ladies Markets, or Temple Street Night Market.
(7) 好好味 "hou hou mei" - Delicious!
When you go on our tours, you will likely use this phrase often! "hou hou mei" is almost like an exclamation, saying the food is very delicious with great enthusiasm! Leave a comment below and tell us your favorite Hong Kong food.
(8) 廁所喺邊 "ci so hai bin" - Where is the bathroom?
This is another handy phrase. Most public bathrooms in Hong Kong have acceptable hygiene standards. Still, we always recommend that our guests find a nearby shopping mall (which is everywhere!) or, even better, a hotel for a more enjoyable bathroom break.
(9) 埋單 "maai daan" - Check please.
Very self-explanatory, we probably don't need to explain much on this one. In Hong Kong, most restaurants have a built-in 10% service charge on top of the bill. Tipping is not required, but it's always much appreciated, and locals usually have a habit of rounding up bills.
There you have it, 9 phrases that are essential to your upcoming Hong Kong trip. We know that Cantonese may not be the easiest language to learn, but we love it when you try to speak our language, and we surely will give you the biggest smile when you do that:)
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