Everyday Phrasebook

Real Hong Kong Cantonese for real situations.

Daily Greetings

你好

nei5 hou2

Hello

Polite and universal, though locals often just say 哈囉 (haa1 lou3).

Daily Greetings

早晨

zou2 san4

Good morning

Used until about noon — literally “early morning”.

Daily Greetings

食咗飯未呀？

sik6 zo2 faan6 mei6 aa3?

Have you eaten yet?

A warm “how are you” — you don't need to have actually eaten!

Daily Greetings

拜拜

baai1 baai3

Bye-bye

Borrowed from English and used by everyone.

Daily Greetings

你叫咩名呀？

nei5 giu3 me1 meng2 aa3?

What's your name?

Dining & Dim Sum

飲茶

jam2 caa4

Go for dim sum (lit. drink tea)

Yum cha is a weekend family ritual in Hong Kong.

Dining & Dim Sum

唔該，埋單

m4 goi1, maai4 daan1

Excuse me, the bill please

Drawing a check mark in the air also works!

Dining & Dim Sum

蝦餃

haa1 gaau2

Shrimp dumpling

A dim sum must-order — judged by its translucent skin.

Dining & Dim Sum

燒賣

siu1 maai2

Pork & shrimp dumpling

Dining & Dim Sum

好好食

hou2 hou2 sik6

Very delicious

Dining & Dim Sum

唔該加水

m4 goi1 gaa1 seoi2

More hot water for the tea, please

Leave the teapot lid ajar to signal a refill quietly.

Slang & Colloquial

得閒飲茶

dak1 haan4 jam2 caa4

Let's grab tea sometime

Often a friendly goodbye, not a real plan.

Slang & Colloquial

冇問題

mou5 man6 tai4

No problem

Slang & Colloquial

好正

hou2 zeng3

Awesome / so good

For food, places, outfits — anything great.

Slang & Colloquial

收工

sau1 gung1

Done for the day / clock off

Slang & Colloquial

加油

gaa1 jau2

You can do it!

Shopping

幾多錢？

gei2 do1 cin2?

How much is it?

Shopping

平啲得唔得？

peng4 di1 dak1 m4 dak1?

Can it be cheaper?

Bargaining is fine at street markets, not in malls.

Shopping

我睇吓先

ngo5 tai2 haa5 sin1

I'm just looking first

Shopping

可唔可以碌卡？

ho2 m4 ho2 ji5 luk1 kaat1?

Can I pay by card?

Transport

有落

jau5 lok6

Stop here, please (on a minibus)

Shout it clearly to the minibus driver before your stop!

Transport

地鐵站喺邊度？

dei6 tit3 zaam6 hai2 bin1 dou6?

Where is the MTR station?

Transport

唔該去機場

m4 goi1 heoi3 gei1 coeng4

To the airport, please

Transport

八達通

baat3 daat6 tung1

Octopus card

Hong Kong's transit card — also works in shops.

Politeness

唔該

m4 goi1

Thank you (for a service) / excuse me

Use for small favours and services.

Politeness

多謝

do1 ze6

Thank you (for a gift)

Use when receiving a gift or compliment.

Politeness

對唔住

deoi3 m4 zyu6

I'm sorry

Politeness

唔使客氣

m4 sai2 haak3 hei3

You're welcome