Learn Cantonese slang: 4 phrases about relationships, from memories with friends to ‘show me your love rice’
- This Valentine’s Day, pick up a new phrase or two to express to loved ones just how much you care
- If food is your favourite love language, consider a classic Hong Kong dish with a name that sounds like a term of affection in English
Show your love to friends, significant others and family members. Illustration: ShutterstockIn Hong Kong, this year’s Valentine’s Day may not see as many lovebirds dining out in restaurants, but the day of love is not only about expensive meals or gifts with a significant other. Instead, celebrate by showering loved ones with affirmations, quality time and acts of kindness.
Brush up on Cantonese phrases you can use to discuss all kinds of relationships – from couples who have just formed to friends who have known each other for years.
1. “Show me your love rice” (Creamed corn with pork and rice)
Meaning: refers to a popular dish commonly found in Hong Kong’s cha chaan teng restaurants that doubles as a way to tell someone you love them. The English phrase became part of Cantonese slang when a Japanese diner in Hong Kong misheard the name of the dish, 粟米肉粒飯 (soak-mai-yolk-lub-fahn), as “show me your love rice”. Now, the English phrase is often used to refer to the dish in a joking way, while some use the actual dish to show their love for a romantic partner.
Example: Kelvin told us about how he confessed his feelings to Jenny – he made her a “show me your love rice”!
2. 呷醋 haap3 cou3 (harp-choh): “To gulp down vinegar”
Meaning: to be jealous or suspicious that someone you are close to is spending more time with someone else. This expression is often used to describe the sour feeling people get when their partner pays more attention to someone else, but it can also be used outside the romantic context to express jealousy between friends and family members.
In English: to be jealous; to be green with envy
Example: My father kept saying that my younger brother harp-choh because I spent most of the day playing video games with my friends.
3. 脫單 tyut3 daan1 (tuit-daan): “Leave the odd”
Meaning: to start dating and no longer be single. Originating in mainland China, this phrase is rising in popularity in Hong Kong, where locals also use the slang, “leave the pool” (chut pool), to express a similar idea.
In English: to be in a relationship; to start dating someone
Example: Peter is planning to write a letter to confess his love to Mary – hopefully, he will tuit-daan soon.
4. 回憶殺 wui4 jik1 saat3 (wooi-yik-saat): “Memories kill”
Meaning: an expression often used in writing to reflect on memories from the past. The Cantonese word for “kill”, saat, is used as a way to exaggerate how emotional it can be to reminisce.
In English: what a throwback; time to reminisce; reflect on the past
Example: Wooi-yik-saat! We became friends after we stayed at school until 9pm working on a science project together – now, we’ve known each other for 10 years.