Cantonese Phrases for Getting Around and Eating in Hong Kong

On a Hong Kong minibus you call out your stop, and at a cha chaan teng, a Hong Kong-style cafe, you answer a few quick questions. This page has the Cantonese for both, plus MTR exit signs and a few lines for when you don't understand.

These are spoken Cantonese lines, written as people in Hong Kong say them and in traditional characters. That is why you will see 唔 (m4) for not and 咩 (me1) for what, two words formal written Chinese does not use. Jyutping sits under each line and spells how it sounds. The number that ends each syllable is its tone, 1 to 6. If you wonder how Cantonese differs from Mandarin, Mandarin vs Cantonese explains it.

To make a green or red minibus stop where you want to get off, say 有落 (jau5 lok6), and put the place before it if you want to name one.

Call it well before your stop, so the driver can stop safely, and stay in your seat until the minibus has stopped. Many minibuses have a call bell. Press it if you see one, and call 有落 when there is none. Wear a seat belt if your seat has one.

Octopus works on most public transport in Hong Kong, and green minibuses take it as well as cash. You pay a green minibus when you get on. Some red minibuses take Octopus too. On a red minibus that takes only cash, you usually pay when you get off. Have the exact fare ready, because the driver may run out of change.

In Chinese, the MTR names an exit with the letter first. A出口 (ei1 ceot1 hau2) is Exit A, and B出口 (bi1 ceot1 hau2) is Exit B. Some exits add a number after the letter, as in A3.

Show a taxi driver the address written in Chinese as well, since that is usually the best way to be understood.

Put hot or iced in front of the drink, and say how you want it after the drink.

How you want it goes after the drink, as in 凍奶茶，少甜 (dung3 naai5 caa4, siu2 tim4).

People also say 行街 (haang4 gaai1) for takeaway. It can mean going out to stroll or shop too, so the situation tells you which one the speaker means.

唔該 (m4 goi1) means please when you order, and thank you when the food comes or when you pay. Our thank-you guide explains when to say 多謝 (do1 ze6) instead.

If you are visiting relatives, Cantonese Family Words and Phrases has the lines for that.

• MTR Mobile: The MTR's own free app. It plans MTR trips, and its Fast Exit lets you pick the exit you want and shows which train car and door to board.
• HKeMobility: The Transport Department's free app. It plans public transport and walking routes and shows arrival times.