Since moving to Hong Kong, my Cantonese has improved because I speak to my colleagues and local friends in Cantonese and I use it as much as I can when I’m at the shops. I have also come to learn some cha chaan teng (茶餐廳) lingo and I thought I’d share the ones I hear or use most often.

寫嘢 [pronounced sheh-ye]: I’d like to have my order taken, please.

埋單 [pronounced mai-darn]: Can I have the bill please?

餐飲 [pronounced chaan yum]: Refers to the drink that comes with your set meal

扣底 [pronounced cow-dai]: Less rice please. This is not used that often but if you do hear it, it just means you have asked for a smaller serving of rice.

靚仔 [pronouced leng-zai]: a bowl of white rice. The literal meaning of 靚仔 is a handsome man. Why it is used to refer to a bowl of rice is a question I have yet to find the answer to. Again this is not used that often and you will probably only hear it in a very traditional cha chaan teng.

叉鵝飯 [pronounced cha ngor fan]: Rice with charsiew (叉燒) and roast goose (燒鵝)

叉雞飯 [pronounced cha gai fan]: Rice with charsiew (叉燒) and chicken (雞)

檸水 [pronounced leng shui]: Water with slices of lemon in it

檸蜜 [pronounced leng mutt]: Honeyed water with slices of lemon

檸樂 [pronounced leng lok]: Coca Cola with slices of lemon

檸茶 [pronounced leng cha]: Lemon tea

奶茶 [pronounced nai cha]: Milk tea