Hong Kong Places in Cantonese
Hong Kong place names are Cantonese first — the English spellings are romanisations of how they sound, often from a century ago. Saying them the Cantonese way makes taxis, directions and small talk far easier.
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Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce Tsim Sha Tsui in Cantonese?
尖沙咀 (zim1 saa1 zeoi2). The English spelling is an old romanisation — the first sound is closer to a "j" than a "ts".
How do you tell a taxi driver where to go in Cantonese?
Name the place and add 唔該 (m4 goi1): 去中環，唔該 (heoi3 zung1 waan4, m4 goi1) — to Central, please.
What does 灣 mean in Hong Kong place names?
灣 (waan1) means bay — as in 銅鑼灣 (tung4 lo4 waan1), Causeway Bay, literally copper gong bay, named for its curved shoreline.
More Cantonese Word Lists
Essential Cantonese PhrasesCantonese GreetingsNumbers in CantoneseOrder Dim Sum in CantoneseFamily Members in CantoneseCantonese Slang Locals UseColors in CantoneseBe Polite in CantoneseRomantic Cantonese PhrasesAsk for Directions in CantoneseHong Kong Café Orders in CantoneseOrder Food in a Cantonese RestaurantDrinks in CantoneseCantonese Question WordsExpress Feelings in CantoneseBody Parts in CantoneseAnimals in CantoneseFruits in CantoneseGo Shopping in CantoneseTalk About the Weather in CantoneseTalk About Time in CantoneseDays of the Week in CantoneseTell the Time in CantoneseChinese New Year GreetingsGetting Around Hong Kong in CantoneseMoney & Paying in CantoneseClothes in CantoneseAround the Home in CantoneseAt Work in CantoneseAt the Doctor in CantoneseAt a Hotel in CantoneseVegetables in CantoneseHong Kong Street Food in CantoneseCantonese Noodle DishesCantonese Desserts (Tong Sui)Ride the MTR in CantoneseAt the Airport in CantoneseAt School in CantoneseSports in CantoneseTalk About Hobbies in CantoneseYour Daily Routine in CantoneseHong Kong Festivals in CantoneseCantonese Emergency PhrasesCantonese Measure WordsCantonese Birthday WordsJobs in CantoneseTastes in CantoneseCooking Words in CantonesePhone & Tech Words in CantoneseCantonese OppositesDescribing People in CantoneseCantonese for a Night OutCountries in CantoneseHong Kong Outdoors in CantoneseFriends in CantoneseEveryday Cantonese VerbsYes & No in Cantonese