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 (\u8336\u9910\u5ef3) lingo and I thought I’d share the ones I hear or use most often.<\/p>\n
\u5beb\u5622<\/strong> [pronounced sheh-ye<\/em>]: I’d like to have my order taken, please.<\/p>\n \u57cb\u55ae<\/strong> [pronounced mai-darn<\/em>]: Can I have the bill please?<\/p>\n \u9910\u98f2<\/strong> [pronounced chaan yum]: Refers to the drink that comes with your set meal<\/p>\n \u6263\u5e95<\/strong> [pronounced cow-dai<\/em>]: 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.<\/p>\n \u975a\u4ed4<\/strong> [pronouced leng-zai<\/em>]: a bowl of white rice. The literal meaning of \u975a\u4ed4 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.<\/p>\n \u53c9\u9d5d\u98ef<\/strong> [pronounced cha ngor fan<\/em>]: Rice with charsiew (\u53c9\u71d2) and roast goose (\u71d2\u9d5d)<\/p>\n \u53c9\u96de\u98ef<\/strong> [pronounced cha gai fan<\/em>]: Rice with charsiew (\u53c9\u71d2) and chicken (\u96de)<\/p>\n \u6ab8\u6c34<\/strong> [pronounced leng shui<\/em>]: Water with slices of lemon in it<\/p>\n \u6ab8\u871c<\/strong> [pronounced leng mutt<\/em>]: Honeyed water with slices of lemon<\/p>\n \u6ab8\u6a02<\/strong> [pronounced leng lok<\/em>]:\u00a0Coca Cola\u00a0with slices of lemon<\/p>\n \u6ab8\u8336<\/strong> [pronounced leng cha<\/em>]: Lemon tea<\/p>\n \u5976\u8336<\/strong> [pronounced nai cha<\/em>]: Milk tea<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" 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 … Continue reading