Cantonese for festivals and Hong Kong culture

Lunar New Year greetings, Christmas and birthday wishes, the public holidays and the food culture behind yum cha and the cha chaan teng. What people say, what it means and when to say it, with Jyutping for every phrase.

A black-and-white cut-out of a smiling woman in a knitted jumper on a torn dusty-pink paper patch, holding a har gow up to her chin with a pair of red chopsticks, a bamboo steamer of dumplings in front of her.

Language

6 min read

Dim sum in Cantonese: how to order at yum cha, from tea to bill

Language

6 min read

Dim sum in Cantonese: how to order at yum cha, from tea to bill

Language

6 min read

Dim sum in Cantonese: how to order at yum cha, from tea to bill

Four torn paper squares in a row on cream paper, holding black-and-white cut-outs of a horse, a horse, a tiger and a tiger, underlined in red.

Language

11 min read

Chinese idioms in Cantonese: the four-character sayings Hong Kongers actually use

Language

11 min read

Chinese idioms in Cantonese: the four-character sayings Hong Kongers actually use

Language

11 min read

Chinese idioms in Cantonese: the four-character sayings Hong Kongers actually use

A black-and-white pineapple bun on a paper plate with a single lit birthday candle stuck in the top, on red paper.

Family & heritage

8 min read

Happy birthday in Cantonese: what to say, sing and write

Family & heritage

8 min read

Happy birthday in Cantonese: what to say, sing and write

Family & heritage

8 min read

Happy birthday in Cantonese: what to say, sing and write

A black-and-white cut-out of bamboo dim sum steamer baskets stacked into the shape of a Christmas tree, topped with a small hand-drawn red star, on cream paper.

Festivals & culture

8 min read

Merry Christmas in Cantonese: festive greetings and how Hong Kong celebrates

Festivals & culture

8 min read

Merry Christmas in Cantonese: festive greetings and how Hong Kong celebrates

Festivals & culture

8 min read

Merry Christmas in Cantonese: festive greetings and how Hong Kong celebrates

A black-and-white cut-out of a dragon boat crew paddling hard through white spray, the carved dragon head at the bow, on cream paper.

Work

10 min read

Hong Kong public holidays 2027: dates, Cantonese names and long weekends

Work

10 min read

Hong Kong public holidays 2027: dates, Cantonese names and long weekends

Work

10 min read

Hong Kong public holidays 2027: dates, Cantonese names and long weekends

A black-and-white cut-out of a smiling young girl in a puffy jacket, holding a red packet against her cheek with both hands, in front of a torn-paper photograph of fireworks over Victoria Harbour, on cream paper.

Festivals & culture

10 min read

Chinese New Year greetings in Cantonese: what to say, and to whom

Festivals & culture

10 min read

Chinese New Year greetings in Cantonese: what to say, and to whom

Festivals & culture

10 min read

Chinese New Year greetings in Cantonese: what to say, and to whom

A young woman in a running vest looks down as she pins a blank white race bib to her chest. A black-and-white cut-out on red paper, with an old oil can floating to her left and a thin red line flowing from its spout to the bib.

Language

6 min read

Add oil meaning: what 加油 really means in Hong Kong

Language

6 min read

Add oil meaning: what 加油 really means in Hong Kong

Language

6 min read

Add oil meaning: what 加油 really means in Hong Kong

A black-and-white cut-out of a cha chaan teng waitress in a white shirt and striped apron, mid-stride and calling out, carrying a tray of milk tea and toast, on red paper.

Language

7 min read

Cha chaan teng Cantonese: how to order like a local

Language

7 min read

Cha chaan teng Cantonese: how to order like a local

Language

7 min read