Hong Kong English

Name:

Date:

Instructions: Discover the distinctive words and expressions unique to Hong Kong English!

1.
In Hong Kong English, what does 'add oil' mean?
A
Keep going! / You can do it! (encouragement)
B
Cook with more oil
C
Refuel a car
D
Speed up
2.
What is a 'wet market' in Hong Kong English?
A
A market during rainy season
B
A swimming pool area
C
A laundry service
D
A fresh food market selling meat, fish, and produce
3.
In Hong Kong, what does 'shroff' refer to?
A
To shrug
B
A shelf
C
A cashier or payment office
D
A type of fabric
4.
What does 'dai pai dong' mean in Hong Kong English?
A
A flower market
B
An open-air street food stall
C
A taxi stand
D
A large apartment
5.
In Hong Kong English, what is a 'taipan'?
A
A type of snake only
B
A top business executive or boss of a major company
C
A tai chi master
D
A teapot
6.
What does 'chop chop' mean in Hong Kong English?
A
Hurry up, quickly
B
A type of seal or stamp
C
Cutting food
D
Helicopter sounds
7.
In Hong Kong, what is a 'junk' in everyday English?
A
Fast food
B
A junkyard
C
Rubbish
D
A traditional Chinese sailing vessel used for harbor tours
8.
What does 'yum cha' literally mean in Hong Kong English?
A
Drink tea (going out for dim sum)
B
Delicious food
C
Expensive taste
D
Good morning
9.
In Hong Kong English, what is a 'godown'?
A
A decline in stocks
B
A basement
C
A warehouse
D
A sinking ship
10.
What does 'siu mai' refer to in Hong Kong English?
A
A low price
B
A small child
C
A minor problem
D
A type of open-topped dumpling
11.
In Hong Kong, what is a 'milk tea' specifically?
A
Any tea with milk
B
A strong black tea strained through a cloth filter with evaporated milk
C
Bubble tea
D
Milk with tea flavoring
12.
What does 'kaifong' mean in Hong Kong English?
A
A sea breeze
B
A holiday
C
A type of kung fu
D
A neighbor or neighborhood community
13.
In Hong Kong English, what does 'lay see' or 'lai see' refer to?
A
A red envelope containing money (given during festivals)
B
A type of tea
C
A lazy person
D
A license
14.
What is a 'cha chaan teng' in Hong Kong English?
A
A chain restaurant
B
A tea ceremony
C
A herbal medicine shop
D
A casual local restaurant or tea restaurant
15.
In Hong Kong English, what does 'gweilo' literally translate to?
A
Guest of honor
B
Great leader
C
Ghost person (used to refer to Westerners)
D
Good fellow

Answer Key

Question 1

A. Keep going! / You can do it! (encouragement)

Question 2

D. A fresh food market selling meat, fish, and produce

Question 3

C. A cashier or payment office

Question 4

B. An open-air street food stall

Question 5

B. A top business executive or boss of a major company

Question 6

A. Hurry up, quickly

Question 7

D. A traditional Chinese sailing vessel used for harbor tours

Question 8

A. Drink tea (going out for dim sum)

Question 9

C. A warehouse

Question 10

D. A type of open-topped dumpling

Question 11

B. A strong black tea strained through a cloth filter with evaporated milk

Question 12

D. A neighbor or neighborhood community

Question 13

A. A red envelope containing money (given during festivals)

Question 14

D. A casual local restaurant or tea restaurant

Question 15

C. Ghost person (used to refer to Westerners)

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