Hong Kong Important Phrases

Hong Kong Important Phrases

Hong Kong Recomended Reading
English is not spoken as well as you might think (they will understand you in the touristy areas though!). Numbers are important since they are very handy when bargaining in the markets. You might have a higher chance of getting a lower price if you speak their language. Also remember, the Hong Kong population speaks CANTONESE and not MANDARIN which is spoken mostly in the mainland of China.

Numbers in Cantonese
Money is 'Maan' or Marn. Therefore, $1 is 'Yutt Marn'.

1 - "Yutt" (like 'putt' a golf ball)

2 - "e" or "yee" (long E sound)

3 - "Saam" or "sam" (put an 'r' sound like 'sarm)

4 - "Say" (say no more)

5 - "Um" or "Mm" (very difficult sound- put your lips together and hum - 'mmm'- that tastes great!)

6 - "Lok" ('lock' your doors)

7 - "Chaat" or "Chet" (more like 'chutt'- putt the ball again)

8 - "Paat" or "Baat" (t is a cross between the t and a d)

9 - "Caw" or "Gow" (like cow but with a 'g')

10 - "Sup" or "Sat" (as in you are late for 'supper')

For higher numbers like 21 it would be 2-10-1 so - "ee"-"sup"-"yut"

45 would be 4-10-5 so - "say" - "sup" - "mm"

When you reach the hundreds they use "baat mun", so $100 is "ee" "baat marn"

$400 is "say" "baat marn"
Other useful phrases

Hello- 'Lay Ho' literally meaning 'you good'

Good Morning- 'Joe Sarn'

Bill or check please- 'Mai Darn'

How much ($) is it?- 'Gay door Chin'?

Tasty- Ho May

Hong Kong islands

Hong Kong islands overview : The Lay of the Land

Hong Kong encompasses Hong Kong Island, the city of Kowloon, the New Territories, and a few hundred islands. Technically speaking, what we commonly refer to as Hong Kong is now part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), but because it has separate but equal status, its address is written as “Separate Administrative Region,” or “SAR” (not to be confused with SARS, the disease).
When people discuss addresses in the Hong Kong area, they may cite a particular number on a particular street, but more often than not, you’ll hear your fellow travelers simplifying directions by just naming a building and a neighborhood. And they play fast and loose with what constitutes a neighborhood. Some people call all of Victoria Island “Central” and all of the Kowloon Peninsula “Kowloon.”

Shopping in Hong Kong concentrates heavily on two areas:
Central, the main business “downtown” area on the Hong Kong Island side, and Tsim Sha Tsui in Kowloon. Central is very upscale, civilized, businesslike, and modern. Tsim Sha Tsui (often written TST) is grittier and more frenetic. As real estate continues to sky rocket, there is new interest in Mong Kok, the area of Kowloon beyond TST, which now has some luxury hotels, a mall, and Elements, a new deluxe mall in the Western- Tunnel side of Kowloon.
See Shopping Neighborhoods for a detailed discussion of Hong Kong’s shopping and commercial districts.

Christmas in Hong Kong

Christmas in Hong Kong

Even when I’m in Hong Kong in July, I start thinking about Christmas. Christmas decorations go up in Kowloon (it’s hard to spot the neon amid all the neon) in mid-November, when stores begin their Christmas promotions.
Christmas permeates the air; even street markets sell decorations—plastic wreaths, silk flowers, ornaments, and more. You’ll also be thrilled to find Victorian-style embroidered tree ornaments in stores in Hong Kong.

Today, Wherever you look, the Hong Kong’s towering skyscrapers on both sides of the harbour will be decked out in radiant illuminations that are sure to amaze your senses. During the Christmas period, in popular tourist districts, you’ll see a mobile Christmas Antique Tram, a Big Bus and a Themed Truck with carol singers spreading happiness and cheer.

You’re sure to be dazzled by the giant Christmas Tree in Hong Kong's Statue Square that will attract one and all to the joy and excitement of Hong Kong Winterfest 2008. Make a date to meet friends and family by this shining beacon of light and happiness.

Hong Kong Shopping Hours

Hong Kong Shopping Hours

Generally, shops open late morning and stay open until late in the evening. Most specialty stores' Shopping Hours at 10am to 6:30pm. However, these are just guidelines. Some stores' Shopping Hours is just whenever they feel like it. Central businesses tend to open later than those in Kowloon.
For the most part Hong Kong, Shopping Hours at 6:30pm in Central, 7:30pm in Tsim Sha Tsui, and 9pm on Nathan Road in Yau Ma Tei and in Mong Kok. In all honesty, I’ve been in the stores on Granville Road until 11pm at night. I think that as long as traffic keeps up, the stores are willing to stay open.
Mall stores in Hong Kong are open during regular Shopping Hours on Sunday. Most shops in the main shopping areas of Tsim Sha Tsui and Causeway Bay are open daily. Those in Central close on Sunday.

tips : Many shops close on major public holidays. Everything closes on Chinese New Year; some stores are closed for 2 days, others for 2 weeks. Do not plan to be in Hong Kong and do any shopping at this time. Click for hong kong shopping guide

Store hours are affected by the following public holidays:
• January 1 (New Year’s Day)
• January/February (Chinese New Year)
• March/April (Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Monday)
• June (Dragon Boat Festival)
• August 25 (Liberation Day)
• December 25 (Christmas) and December 26 (Boxing Day)

On public holidays, banks and offices close, and shops may close as well. Factory outlets will definitely not be open.
Many holiday dates change from year to year. For specific dates, contact the HKTA before you plan your trip.