Opinion
Cantonese

Weird Cantonese words rely on your tone

Cantonese can sound forceful to people learning the language. But as Luisa Tam explains, using different tones and moods as you speak helps you maximise the versatility of some fun, quirky and expressive phrases.

January 23, 2020
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Have you ever been tempted to try one of those many types of roasts you can see on display in windows of Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong? Luisa Tam has some Cantonese that will help you find out...04:14
Cantonese
How to order Hong Kong-style roast meat in Cantonese
January 7, 2020
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When it comes to greetings in Cantonese, Luisa Tam says the phrase faai lok, which means “happiness” in English, is the easiest way to spread some holiday cheer. Sing daan faai lok or “Merry...03:43
Cantonese
Spread some ‘faai lok’ or “happiness” with these festive Cantonese greetings
December 24, 2019
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Eating dim sum in a restaurant that is jit naau, meaning "popular and busy", is a happy occasion. ...03:40
Cantonese
Luisa Tam takes you on a dim sum tour of Hong Kong with these Cantonese phrases
December 10, 2019
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Have you been tempted to try one of the many types of roasts you can see on display in the windows of Chinese restaurants? Dim sum in Hong Kong is a must-do. Luisa Tam serves up a mouthful of...07:41
Cantonese
Luisa Tam’s Dim Sum and Roast Meat 101
December 9, 2019
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Luisa Tam's mood phrases using words such as caang meaning "support" and also, some humorous phrases such as nau nau zyu which means "angry angry pig" to defuse tense situations.06:24
Cantonese
Luisa Tam’s Mood Boosters
December 6, 2019
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Luisa Tam explores alternative meanings behind words for colours in Cantonese.  It’s also handy to pick up a few essential phrases consist of the ubiquitous word gaau which means to “produce,...06:38
Cantonese
Luisa Tam’s Colourful Cantonese Lesson
December 6, 2019
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When you are learning Cantonese, Luisa Tam says it's handy to pick up a few essential phrases consisting of the ubiquitous word "gaau" which means to produce, disturb or stir.03:23
Cantonese
A little Hong Kong Canto word 'Gaau' for any occasion
December 3, 2019
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Join Luisa Tam on a journey to explore some alternative meanings behind words for colours in Cantonese, including how phrases such as ho hung  or “very red” can symbolise being “very popular” among...03:27
Luisa Tam's helpful Cantonese phrases
Using colour to communicate in Cantonese
November 13, 2019
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Some education experts in Hong Kong have pushed for increased use of Mandarin Chinese in schools to better improve the competitiveness of the next generation. But others worry that children could...11:50
Cantonese
Cantonese or Mandarin? A debate in Hong Kong education since 2008
October 1, 2023
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A musical genre for the local market that became popular among Chinese speakers and others around the world, Cantopop is a reflection of Hong Kong, with its international influences but distinctly...10:46
Cantopop
Cantopop: international flavour but distinctly Chinese
June 21, 2023
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Hong Kong was Asia’s music entertainment leader during the 1980s and 1990s, only to see its influence wane over the years due to competition from South Korean, Taiwan and Chinese mainland artists....05:10
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HK Canto-pop re-emerges post protest, pandemic
May 20, 2021
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Eli Zaelo moved to Hong Kong from her native South Africa in 2015 when she landed the role of Nala in The Lion King musical. Inspired by Chinese-pop, which is a blend of Mando-pop and Canto-pop,...05:09
Africa
From Hong Kong Disney dancer to Chinese-pop singer
May 7, 2021
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Virginia Chan is a Canadian-born Hong Kong foodie who runs a local food tour business. But when she was forced to suspend operations because of the Covid-19 pandemic, she had to find a new way to...04:17
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Online course on making Hong Kong egg tarts
September 8, 2020
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Some Cantonese slang terms sound like English words that have colourful, lively effects. Luisa Tam shows you how to use some of these phrases, including kick lick quak laak to describe “whatever”...04:16
Cantonese
Learn quirky English-sounding Cantonese slang
July 7, 2020
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Descriptions of medical symptoms in Cantonese are often used in daily conversations to produce some fun expressions about behaviour and emotions. Luisa Tam walks us through some insane terms for a...04:38
SCMP Originals
Cantonese ‘symptoms’ for daily use
June 23, 2020
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When you learn Cantonese, you have to know how to talk about money. Luisa Tam is here to teach you some practical phrases, such as bei cin, used to ask people to “pay up”, or for seoi which means...04:04
Cantonese
Talking money in Cantonese
June 9, 2020
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Learning the subtleties of tones in Cantonese is more important than you think. Luisa Tam teaches you how mastering the pitch contours of the language can help you avoid some awkward situations.  03:50
Cantonese
Tones are key in Cantonese
May 26, 2020
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There are quite a few different ways to tell someone “Long time no see” when you’re speaking Cantonese. And when you haven’t seen someone for ages, as many of us have recently, these are the ways...03:36
Cantonese
Greet your friends in Cantonese with Luisa Tam
May 12, 2020
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Don’t get spooked by the word for “ghost” in Cantonese! As Luisa Tam explains, the word has plenty of other things.07:07
Cantonese
Try some fun and weird Cantonese words with Luisa Tam
March 9, 2020
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Luisa Tam’s Cantonese lesson teaches us how to spread some festive cheer with a sprinkling of love in the air. 06:48
Cantonese
Get in the mood for festivities and love with Luisa Tam
March 9, 2020
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Instead of saying “I love you” directly, Cantonese speakers prefer to show their love in subtle ways. Join Luisa Tam and learn how to express your love in Cantonese.03:15
Cantonese
Express your love in Cantonese
February 4, 2020