Why Learning Even a Little Cantonese Changes Everything
You can live in Hong Kong for years speaking only English. The MTR announcements are bilingual, most restaurant menus have pictures, and your colleagues will switch to English mid-sentence if they sense you are struggling. But there is a difference between surviving and belonging.
The moment you say “m4 goi1” instead of “thank you” at a cha chaan teng, the staff’s body language shifts. Drop a “hou2 leng3” when a colleague shows you their weekend photos and watch them light up. These are small gestures, but in a city where expats are often seen as transient, they signal something important: you are trying.
This is not a textbook. We have collected the phrases that come up most often in daily life for expats living in Hong Kong, grouped by the situations where you will actually use them. Each phrase includes Chinese characters, a simplified pronunciation guide, and a literal or contextual translation. You will not be fluent after reading this, but you will be noticeably less lost.
A Quick Note on Pronunciation and Tones
Cantonese has six tones, which means the same syllable can carry completely different meanings depending on pitch. The classic example: “fan” can mean sleep, divide, or powder depending on how you say it.
We use a simplified romanisation throughout this guide rather than full Jyutping (the academic standard). Where it helps, we add tone numbers: 1 is high and flat, 2 rises, 3 is mid-level, 4 falls, 5 rises from low, and 6 is low and flat.
Do not let the tones intimidate you. Most locals will understand you from context even if your tones are off. The goal is communication, not perfection. If someone looks confused, just point at the Chinese characters on your phone.
Greetings and Everyday Politeness
These are the phrases you will use ten times a day without thinking.
你好 (nei5 hou2) means “hello” and works in any situation, any time of day. It literally translates to “you good.”
早晨 (zou2 san4) means “good morning” and is used before about 11am. You will hear security guards, doormen, and colleagues say this first thing.
唔該 (m4 goi1) is the single most useful word in Cantonese. It means “thank you” when someone does something for you (holds a door, brings your food, gives you change). It also doubles as “excuse me” when you need to get past someone on a crowded escalator or get a waiter’s attention. Think of it as gratitude for service or effort.
多謝 (do1 ze6) is “thank you” for gifts, compliments, or something given to you. If someone hands you a birthday present, this is the one to use. The distinction: m4 goi1 for actions, do1 ze6 for things.
對唔住 (deoi3 m4 jyu6) means “sorry” in the proper, apologetic sense. You bumped into someone on the street, you are late for a meeting, you accidentally took the wrong umbrella from the stand.
拜拜 (baai1 baai3) is “goodbye,” borrowed from English and used universally. Simple, familiar, hard to get wrong.
At the Restaurant and Cha Chaan Teng
Hong Kong revolves around food, and eating out is where most expats first attempt Cantonese. The good news: restaurant staff in local spots hear the same dozen phrases all day, so even shaky pronunciation gets understood. The trick is knowing which phrase fits which moment.
幾多錢？ (gei2 do1 cin2?) means “how much?” and works everywhere, from dai pai dong stalls to wet markets.
埋單 (maai4 daan1) means “bill please.” This is how you ask for the check at any restaurant. Raise your hand, catch the waiter’s eye, and say “m4 goi1, maai4 daan1.”
一位 (yat1 wai2) means “one person” when being seated. For two people, say 兩位 (loeng5 wai2). Useful at busy cha chaan tengs where they need a headcount.
唔該，一杯奶茶 (m4 goi1, yat1 bui1 naai5 ca4) means “excuse me, one milk tea please.” Swap 奶茶 for 凍檸茶 (dong3 ning4 ca4, iced lemon tea) or 咖啡 (gaa3 fe1, coffee) as needed.
好好食 (hou2 hou2 sik6) means “very delicious.” Say this to the auntie at the noodle shop after finishing your bowl and you will probably get a bigger portion next time.
唔辣 (m4 laat6) means “not spicy.” Useful when ordering, especially at Sichuan or Southeast Asian places where the default heat level may surprise you.
走冰 (zau2 bing1) means “no ice.” Essential for drinks in summer. Similarly, 少甜 (siu2 tim4) means “less sweet.”
打包 (daa2 baau1) means “takeaway” or “to go.” Point at the item, say “m4 goi1, daa2 baau1” and you are set. At dim sum restaurants, you will also hear 加單 (gaa1 daan1), which means “add to the order” if you want another round of har gow after the first plate vanishes.
Getting Around: MTR, Taxi, and Minibus
有落 (jau5 lok6) means “getting off” and is the phrase you shout on a minibus when you want the driver to stop. This is non-negotiable. If you ride minibuses, you need this phrase. Press the bell if there is one, or shout “yau5 lok6” clearly. Hesitate and you will sail past your stop.
去 (heoi3) means “go to.” In a taxi, say “m4 goi1, heoi3” followed by your destination. “M4 goi1, heoi3 Central” or “m4 goi1, heoi3 Tsim Sha Tsui” is all you need. Using Cantonese place names gets better results than English: 尖沙咀 (zim1 saa1 zeoi2) for Tsim Sha Tsui, 銅鑼灣 (tung4 lo4 waan1) for Causeway Bay, 中環 (zung1 waan4) for Central.
呢度 (ni1 dou6) means “here.” Tell the taxi driver “ni1 dou6, m4 goi1” when you want to be dropped off at your current location.
地鐵站 (dei6 tit3 zaam6) is “MTR station.” 巴士站 (baa1 si2 zaam6) is “bus stop.” 的士站 (dik1 si2 zaam6) is “taxi stand.”
Shopping and Markets
幾多錢？ (gei2 do1 cin2?) comes up again here. “How much?” is universal.
平啲啦 (peng4 di1 laa1) means “cheaper please” and is your haggling phrase at markets like the Ladies Market in Mong Kok or the Jade Market in Yau Ma Tei. Say it with a smile.
有冇 (jau5 mou5) means “do you have” and precedes whatever you are looking for. 有冇大啲？ (jau5 mou5 daai6 di1?) means “do you have a bigger one?”
我睇吓 (ngo5 tai2 haa5) means “I’m just looking.” Perfect for when a shop assistant approaches you the second you walk in.
太貴啦 (taai3 gwai3 laa1) means “too expensive.” Useful in markets and small shops where prices are not fixed.
Numbers That Come Up Every Day
Numbers are essential for prices, phone numbers, and floor numbers in lifts. Here are the ones you need:
一 (yat1) is one, 二 (ji6) is two, 三 (saam1) is three, 四 (sei3) is four, 五 (ng5) is five, 六 (luk6) is six, 七 (cat1) is seven, 八 (baat3) is eight, 九 (gau2) is nine, 十 (sap6) is ten.
For larger numbers: 百 (baak3) is hundred, 千 (cin1) is thousand. So HK$350 would be 三百五十蚊 (saam1 baak3 ng5 sap6 man1). The word 蚊 (man1) is the colloquial term for dollars in Cantonese, equivalent to “bucks” in English.
One quirk: when saying phone numbers, Cantonese speakers often use 二 (ji6) for the digit two rather than 兩 (loeng5). Listen for it when someone reads out a number.
Floor numbers in lifts follow the same system. Hong Kong uses British-style floor numbering (ground floor, then 1/F, 2/F, etc.), and many buildings skip the fourth floor because 四 (sei3) sounds similar to 死 (sei2), which means “death.” Do not be surprised when the lift buttons go from 3 to 5.
Emergency and Problem-Solving Phrases
我唔識講廣東話 (ngo5 m4 sik1 gong2 gwong2 dung1 waa2) means “I don’t speak Cantonese.” Ironically, saying this in Cantonese tends to impress people.
我識少少 (ngo5 sik1 siu2 siu2) means “I know a little.” A humble follow-up that usually prompts the other person to slow down and simplify.
唔好意思 (m4 hou2 ji3 si1) means “sorry” or “pardon me” in a lighter, less formal way than 對唔住. Use it when you mishear something or need to ask someone to repeat themselves.
邊度 (bin1 dou6) means “where.” 廁所喺邊度？ (ci3 so2 hai2 bin1 dou6?) means “where is the toilet?” One of the most practical questions you can memorise.
救命 (gau3 meng6) means “help” in an emergency. You will hopefully never need it, but it is worth knowing.
打電話 (daa2 din6 waa2) means “make a phone call.” 打999 (daa2 gau2 gau2 gau2) is how locals refer to calling emergency services.
Phrases That Make You Sound Like You Have Been Here a While
Once you have the basics down, these are the phrases that earn genuine surprise and respect from locals.
得 (dak1) means “OK” or “can do.” Short, casual, and used constantly. Someone asks if you can meet at 7? “Dak1.”
唔使 (m4 sai2) means “no need.” When someone offers to bag your purchase and you have a tote bag already: “m4 sai2, m4 goi1.”
靚 (leng3) means “pretty” or “nice” and is applied to everything from people to handbags to a well-presented bowl of wonton noodles.
食咗飯未？ (sik6 zo2 faan6 mei6?) means “have you eaten yet?” This is the Cantonese equivalent of “how are you?” It is not an actual dinner invitation, just a greeting that shows warmth. The standard reply is 食咗啦 (sik6 zo2 laa3), meaning “yes, I’ve eaten.”
好耐冇見 (hou2 noi6 mou5 gin3) means “long time no see.” The English phrase is actually believed to be a calque from this Cantonese original.
加油 (gaa1 jau2) means “add oil” and is used as encouragement, like “keep going” or “you can do it.” You will hear it at sporting events, in the office before a big presentation, and from friends when you tell them you are learning Cantonese.
咁貴！ (gam3 gwai3!) means “so expensive!” An involuntary reaction that escapes from every Hong Kong resident at least once a week.
冇問題 (mou5 man6 tai4) means “no problem.” Relaxed, easy to say, and useful in a hundred situations from confirming plans to reassuring someone that you can handle something.
收工 (sau1 gung1) means “knock off work” or “end of shift.” You will hear colleagues say it with palpable relief at 6pm. It also works as a question: 幾點收工？ (gei2 dim2 sau1 gung1?) means “what time do you finish work?”
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best apps for learning Cantonese in Hong Kong?
We covered this in detail in our guide to the best apps for learning Cantonese. The short version: Drops for vocabulary, Ling for structured lessons, and HelloTalk for practising with native speakers. Watching TVB dramas with subtitles is also surprisingly effective for picking up conversational rhythm.
How long does it take to learn conversational Cantonese?
With consistent daily practice (even just 15 minutes), most expats can handle basic transactions and greetings within two to three months. Holding a proper conversation takes longer, typically six months to a year. The tones are the steepest learning curve, but your ear adjusts faster than you expect.
Will people just switch to English when they hear my accent?
Often, yes. Many Hong Kongers are keen to practise their English, and some may switch out of politeness. If you want to keep practising, a simple 我想練習廣東話 (ngo5 soeng2 lin6 zaap6 gwong2 dung1 waa2), meaning “I want to practise Cantonese,” usually does the trick. Most people appreciate the effort and will slow down for you.
