Greetings, Hong Kong expats! Settling into a new city is exciting, but navigating a different language can add a layer of complexity. Fear not! While mastering Cantonese might take time, learning some key terms can significantly smooth your transition.

Here at The List HK, we’ve compiled a glossary of essential Cantonese terms and abbreviations commonly used in Hong Kong. This cheat sheet will equip you to understand everyday conversations, decipher signs, and even impress your local colleagues with your newfound knowledge.

Let’s dive in!

Greetings and Basic Phrases:

• Nei hou maa? (你好嗎？): Hello? (informal)
• Nei goi a? (你貴姓？): What’s your last name? (formal) *Doh jeh see hou ma? (多謝 晒嗎？) [Do jeh see ho ma]:Thank you very much. *M goi dou (唔好意思) [M goi ngoi si]: Excuse me (polite). *Hei luk (你好得閒) [Hei lok]:Nice to see you (informal).

Numbers (1-10):

• Yat (一) – One
• Yi (二) – Two
• Saam (三) – Three
• Sei (四) – Four
• Ngo (五) – Five
• Luk (六) – Six
• Saat (七) – Seven
• Baat (八) – Eight
• Gau (九) – Nine
• Jyuu (十) – Ten

Places and Transportation:

• MTR (地鐵) [Di tit]: Mass Transit Railway (Hong Kong’s subway system)
• 巴士 (baa si) [baa si]: Bus *的士 (dik si) [dik si]: Taxi
• 樓下 (lou haa) [lau haa]: Downstairs
• 樓上 (lou seung) [lau seung]: Upstairs

Food and Drinks:

• 茶餐廳 (chah chaan teng) [chaa chaan teng]: Hong Kong-style cafe
• 凍飲 (dong yäm) [dung yam]: Cold drink
• 熱飲 (yit yäm) [yet yam]: Hot drink
• 街頭小吃 (gaai tau siu hak) [gaai tau siu haak]: Street food

Common Abbreviations:

• HK$ (港幣) [gong bi] : Hong Kong Dollar
• ATM (自動櫃員機) [zi dong gwai yuen kei] : Automated Teller Machine
• Kowloon (九龍) [gau lung] : Kowloon (one of the three main areas of Hong Kong)

Bonus Tip:

Learning how to say “thank you” (doh jeh see hou ma) is a great way to show respect and appreciation to locals.

Remember, this is just a starting point! As you explore Hong Kong, you’ll naturally encounter more Cantonese terms.Don’t be afraid to embrace the challenge and ask questions – locals often appreciate the effort expats make to learn their language.

Do you have any favorite Cantonese terms or funny language learning experiences in Hong Kong? Share them in the comments below!

Stay tuned for more helpful tips and resources from The List HK!