Things we don't say as HongKongers

I believe learning a language isn’t only about knowing what the word for 🍎 is. It’s more about building a whole identity in your target language.

Instead of thinking different languages as different ways of expressing the same thing, think of it as an entirely different system of expression based on different cultural context.

In a world dominated by the English language, it’s very easy to assume that there are equivalents of every phrases and expressions in other languages. And while that might be true in some languages, that’s not the case in Hong Kong’s Cantonese.

If you already speak Cantonese well, you already know 'how to speak'. Now, read on and master 'what to speak' to make your Cantonese sound even more natural!

I want you to think about this. In an English day-to-day conversation, what are the most commonly used phrases?

I’ll name a few.

1. How are you? / How’s it going?
2. I’m good, thanks. And you?
3. How was your day?
4. Have a good day/weekend!
5. It was good talking to you./ Nice seeing you!
6. Good afternoon/good evening.

These are very common curtesy speech that we come across all the time, and it might even be considered rude if we don’t use these phrases. Right?

Here’s the twist: we don’t say these in Hong Kong.

Yes, technically there are translations for these phrases, but they are almost non-existent in conversations between locals.

So, when you connect with Hong Kong locals with the mindset of how westerners socialise, you might be disappointed or even find us a bit rude or cold. However, I swear we don’t hate you! (well unless you did something messed up, can’t help with that) We are just not the biggest fan of small talks. We like to cut straight to the chase.

HOWEVER, if you still feel uncomfortable not having a standard conversation opener, I’ve got you. Here are a few ways you can include small talk phrases in a conversation:

Openers:

1. 你今日返工/返學點呀 (nei5 gam1 jat6 faan1 gung1/faan1 hok6 dim2 aa3) - How is your work/school today?
2. 呢排點呀 (ni1 paai4 dim2 aa3) - How have you been lately?
3. 食咗飯未呀 (sik6 zo2 faan6 mei6 aa3) - Have you eaten yet?

Responses:

1. 都係咁啦 (dou1 hai6 gam3 laa1) - It's just like that / Same as usual
2. 幾好呀 (gei2 hou2 aa3) - Pretty good
3. 好好呀 (hou2 hou2 aa3) - Very good
4. ok啦 (ok laa1) - It's okay

Endings:

1. 遲啲再講 (ci4 di1 zoi3 gong2) - Talk to you later
2. 下次再傾 (haa6 ci3 zoi3 king1) - Talk to you next time
3. 聽日見 (teng1 jat6 gin3) - See you tomorrow
4. 拜拜 (baai1 baai3) - Bye bye
5. 玩得開心啲 (waan2 dak1 hoi1 sam1 di1) - Have fun (Used when someone is going for a trip/vacation)
6. 保重 (bou2 zung6) - Take care (Used when you’re not going to see someone for a long time)

Disclaimer: Cantonese has a lot of variations. Here I am providing the cultural context of Hong Kong because that’s the culture I am familiar with.