HKDictionary

Cantonese for a Night Out

Lan Kwai Fong, a rooftop bar, or beers at a dai pai dong — a night out in Hong Kong usually ends with 宵夜, a late-night snack. Here is how to toast, order and survive the evening in Cantonese.

jamˊ²飲sing˗₃勝
cheers; bottoms up (lit. "drink to victory") | Mand.: 乾杯
酒吧
bar
jamˊ²飲zauˊ²酒
and [粵]: drink alcoholic beverage
zeoi˗₃醉
crazy about; infatuated by; addicted to
siuˉ¹宵jeˊ²夜
night-time snack/meal | [國] 夜宵
beˉ¹啤zauˊ²酒
beer
hungˎ₄紅zauˊ²酒
red wine - fermented grape juice of the red variety. Lovely with liver and fava beans.
朋友
friend
maaiˎ₄埋daanˉ¹單
call for the bill (US/AU: check) at restaurants. Mandarin uses 買單 because Tone 4 in Cantonese sounds closest to Tone 3 in Mandarin [Syn.] 算賬, 結賬, 睇數
dikˉ¹的siˊ²士
taxi [loanword] [華]: 計程車
返屋企
to go home
jeˍ₆夜maanˏ₅晚
at night; nighttime (sometimes 夜晚黑) [Syn.] 晚上

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Frequently asked questions

How do you say cheers in Cantonese?

飲勝 (jam2 sing3) — literally "drink to victory". The Mandarin-style 乾杯 is understood, but 飲勝 is what you will hear at a Hong Kong table.

What is 宵夜?

宵夜 (siu1 je2) is a late-night meal or snack — a Hong Kong institution, usually after drinks or a late shift.

How do you say drunk in Cantonese?

醉 (zeoi3). 飲醉 (jam2 zeoi3) is to get drunk.

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