Special Sub-Topic: Everyday Cantonese Click Here To Play: Everyday Cantonese

Numbers are useful to know, otherwise you might get more than you bargained for. How do you say the number one in Cantonese?

Yat. To count from 1 to 10 in Cantonese, you say: "yat, yee, sam, say, mm, lok, chat, baht, gow, sap".

One of the most famous kinds of foods of the Cantonese is "Dim Sum". What does it mean?

Touch the heart. "Dim sum" is usually served at breakfast, and ladies will wheel trolleys around the restaurant laden with bamboo baskets, which they will lift up to show you what is inside - small tasty dishes such as "Har gow" and "Sui mai".

Early in the morning you will see many old people exercising. What is the Cantonese name of the exercise?

Tai chi. As soon as the sun rises, many elderly people go to parks to do "Tai chi", which is a series of slow moving exercises.

Upon meeting each other in the morning, local people will greet each other in Cantonese by saying__________?

Jo san. They say "Jo san", which means "Good morning".

People usually find Cantonese food delicious and they state this by saying _______?

Ho sik. "Ho sik" is the expression usually used although you may hear "ho ho may" or "ho may doh". Many people prefer Cantonese foods as it is not too spicy, and has many different dishes. There is a Chinese saying, part of which says you should eat in Canton.

Walking along the fruit market, your nostrils are assailed by a pungent smell. It can only be that delicious fruit, the durian. How would you ask for this fruit in Cantonese?

Lau lin. The durian is known as the "King of Fruits" in Asia and the best known most expensive variety is called "Golden Pillow". The taste is unforgettable and the fruit can be addictive.

You have taken a journey by local transport, the ubiquitous minibus. Since these minibuses don't have a bell, you need to tell the driver in Cantonese to stop at the next bus stop. What do you say?

Ba si jam. Upon the command, "Ba si jam", the bus driver signals that he has understood by holding out his left hand so you are able to see it, and will stop at the next bus stop.

Sometimes you enter a shop which has not displayed any prices or you are not sure of the price. How do you ask the price in Cantonese?

Gay door chin?. Shops usually display prices, which are fixed but in the markets you maybe able to bargain with the vendor. If you don't speak Cantonese the vendor may use a calculator to show you the price.

Still at the market, you see something that you would like to buy but after asking the price you think it is too expensive. How do you say this in Cantonese?

Ho gwai. Since bargaining is common in the Far East, you need to learn how to say "too expensive", and the follow up phrase, "cheaper price", which is "peng dee".

What do the people of Hong Kong say to each other when they part company?

Bye bye. Along with the word "sorry", these is the only English word used by all local Hong Kong people. The Chinese word for "goodbye" is "joy gin", which is very rarely used in Hong Kong.