Hong Kong Mahjong - What to look for when buying a Hong Kong Mahjong Set

[@lokfung4864]

I must say your video is so good and I'm highly appreciate how you promote HK culture & Cantonese. Your Cantonese is very accurate and you explain choosing Mahjong clearly to people who don't know Cantonese. So cool.

[@CantoneseCorner]

Thank you so much! I'm so happy you think so, and hope it can get more people interested! ❤️

[@eugenielam4053]

As a Hongkonger teaching my Australian friends to play Mahjong, I usually start with some direct translation and help them visualize what's written on the tiles e.g. 一萬 = Ten thousand/ 白板 = Tennis Court/ 發財 = Prosperity/ 紅中 = Red Dragon But I really do agree that as people play Mahjong, they are very welcomed to also learn the fascinating characters and culture behind the game!! Appreciate your detailed introduction to promote this game as well as Cantonese!!

[@CantoneseCorner]

That's a great idea! I was told that in the US, American Mahjong players have even referred to the "white dragon" (白板) as the "soap"! 😆

[@ivanchau2868]

好多時外國人都會話廣東話比人感覺好strong，但聽你講廣東話同英文同樣有種優雅 溫柔既感覺

[@selectyoutuification]

Agree with you Sue speaks so softly in both Cantonese and English. She can make some ASMR videos in both Cantonese and English 😘

[@CantoneseCorner]

@@selectyoutuification I had to look up what ASMR meant LOL 🥰 Thank you for the kind words -- I'm going to look into it -- would be kind of fun to try and lull people to sleep by reading stories or just talking. 😂 😴

[@CantoneseCorner]

Thank you! And it's funny because I know what you mean -- sometimes (and a lot when I was first learning ) I used to think people were angry or fighting when really they were just talking loudly in Cantonese and having a good time.

[@selectyoutuification]

@@CantoneseCorner yes u can say 一索 一索 from right to left and left to right speakers 白板 白板 红中。。。。紅。。。中 Lol

[@selectyoutuification]

@@CantoneseCorner here is an example of ASMR channel made by a HK boy resigned in the US kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGWZaXaNf998iNE. His name is Alex Au and there are so many more non Asian ones that I subscribed to

[@cissycheu717]

I came across your channel when I watched the one titled “why I left Hong Kong”. I was so touched that you have started this channel to teach Cantonese at a time when this language was diminishing. I am both surprised and impressed firstly because you are a foreigner, that you could speak Cantonese so fluently; secondly, you would bother to preserve this language even though it's not even your mother tongue. I have noted that you don't just pick up the colloquial style but you actually understand the background of the words. 👍 I have shared that video with my 3 brothers who are now living in the US and who have left Hong Kong since they were teens. I told them that you spoke Cantonese better than any of them. Haha😃 As for this video, I am again surprised and impressed with your knowledge in our culture. I do agree that learning to play mahjong can be a fun way to learn Cantonese as there are numbers, graphics, commands and expressions of mood-i.e. when you win or lose. I consider it a condensed technique!👍 I look forward to more surprises and be impressed more from watching more of your videos. Keep up with the good work. 💪

[@CantoneseCorner]

Thank you so much and I'm sorry I'm only now replying to your lovely comment!! That's too funny about sending it to your brothers 🤣🤣 I'll do my best to keep surprising you with more videos ... I'm overdue to do a mahjong one, so will try to get one done soon!

[@evroadwarrior8408]

Honestly, at the end of a hard-working day, banging these on the mahjong table is a really great way of stress relief!

[@CantoneseCorner]

Absolutely! 😄

[@antonyburt4410]

So glad I listened to your advice and avoided buying a numbered set! The numbers clutter up the face, and detract from the aesthetics. It was fast to learn the characters, though I’m still not fluent (I still ‘decode’ them).

[@royluluho]

My experience with my family and friends shows that people can be so adamant about winning when money is at stake. It was too competitive that I tend to avoid playing this game... Regardless, Mahjong is a fun game. It is a very great cognitive exercise and I still recommend anyone trying this game! Thanks for sharing! This is very comprehensive and I've learnt something new too!

[@argonwheatbelly637]

My mom tried to teach it to me, but I wound up playing it in college. It was fast HK street feel, and money moved quickly. It was fun, and it would last hours...at least until the food arrived. 😊

[@georgebrewster7861]

Margaret, I just learned how to play Mahjong a couple of months ago. I quickly fell in love with the game and already own two sets of tiles and my kids just got me a table for my birthday. I learned much from watching your videos and even purchased the blue mat you had in this video. People in my area I play with have a scoring sustem which is ok but i want to learn how to count fans. I watched your high scoring hands and also your lower scoring hands videos.. What i would like to ask you is if you know of a good book on scoring fans? Also i have been watching different people who are recording their play sessions and then putting them on KZbin. Would be interested in learning from watching some of your play sessions and seeing your thought process when playing different hands. Thank you for the videos and hopefully you will put out more mahjong vids. 🀄

[@carlcouture1023]

You see a lot more variation in American style mahjong sets. Not just different backs but also a few designers have started toying with different face designs (and I can't say I've seen any I like). You can still find some fun styles on HK sets though. I've seen gold pretty often. I like to warn people that your set will probably come in a very cheap case that isn't strong enough for the weight of the tiles. I bought an aluminum case for mine since I really like keeping the set organized but I think just sweeping all the tiles into a big metal box is probably much more practical. I definitely understand why that option was ubiquitous.

[@lzr5035]

妳嘅廣東話真嘅幾好，仲有妳把聲都好舒服好好聽！thank you so much. 就算我識得講廣東話，我都好鍾意妳嘅video！

[@KathleenDeMarco]

I am a longtime player of “American Mah Jongg” and have recently begun to play Hong Kong mahjong. Your videos have been a big help! I have a lovely vintage set of hand carved tiles that make the game feel very special.

[@EppingForest304]

That blue carpet cover looks nice… good for reducing the noise when playing

[@CantoneseCorner]

It is and it does! I'm so impressed with it -- really well made. I have the green mat too ... and I think eventually I'll get the red one. :)

[@aaronman1832]

Cantonese speaker here. Got to say your voice has a soothing effect!

[@CantoneseCorner]

Thank you! I'm thinking of doing ASMR videos now :)

[@chaskcho]

Hi! I am from HK. I started playing mahjong when I was 5. The metal box is really really traditional & my family did have one set. I know why your mother-in-law said the green was traditional. 30 something years ago, when I was a kid, many people were only playing green. There were no other colors. The off white one should also be traditional but appeared later for sure.

[@kcheng9893]

Yes, it's just green and no others many years ago

[@CantoneseCorner]

Thanks for sharing that! I'll have to ask her when she got the white set. :)

[@stevenweix4330]

This was EXACTLY what I was looking for... I'm an American living in Taiwan but I'm looking to buy a HAND CARVED mahjong set from Hong Kong and really just wanted to see the difference in size (and discovering that the Chinese numbers and wind characters are BLUE in Hong Kong versus BLACK here in Taiwan... Thanks so much for this informative video! 感謝了！

[@CantoneseCorner]

You're welcome! Thanks for commenting to let me know you liked it! I learned a lot too. :)

[@stevenweix4330]

@@CantoneseCorner great channel!!

[@lennonX4429]

I love this video!!! When I was a little kid I remember playing with my family's set like Legos because I love the colors and the shapes. I also used to think the bamboo tiles were pickles lol 🤣

[@CantoneseCorner]

They kind of do look like them! 😂😂

[@kana7715]

That's cool! I've learned to play riichi mahjong but the set I bought has all the extra pieces for this hongkong mahjong too, so I was interested in learning it too! your channel will be very helpful thanks!

[@nonoren7754]

Chinese tiles are almost always green and Japanese tiles are yellow. I love your foam green tiles. So cool!

[@CantoneseCorner]

Thank you! They're my favorite :)

[@mikejohnson9850]

Just ran across your channel. We started playing with my inlaws and use my set which uses the same color as your soap bar. I need to find a replacement box though. Thx

[@matthewlaw]

The metal box is nearly an antique. It can barely be found now. It is made of galvanised iron (白鐵 literally “white iron”). Decades ago many household stuff in hk were made of this material. But there are only a few sifu (masters) left in hk. So it’s very nice that you’re keeping it. 😊

[@CantoneseCorner]

That's so interesting! Thanks for sharing that ... "white iron" makes sense and I do remember seeing wooden-handled scoops and wok spatulas made of it -- would that be right? Maybe it was a different material, but I can picture these kitchen utensils in my mind and they look the same to me. But the feel of is so odd that I'm not sure I would want to cook with it, so maybe my memory isn't right? 🤷‍♀️😅

[@matthewlaw]

@@CantoneseCorner No worries. Those kitchen utensils are made of stainless steel and carbon steel but not “white iron”. As I remember there were water buckets making of it but not cookwares. It has patterns on it while other two are in plain sliver or gray colour. Be noted that stainless steel is also called “white iron” in Taiwan, so it’s confusing in Chinese language. In hk, “white iron” is a combination of iron and zinc, thus we sometimes call it 鋅鐵 （”zinc iron”, but interestingly, we don’t pronounce 鋅 as Cantonese “sun” usually in this case, but more like “zinc” in English. So it’s more common to read as “sing tit” rather than “sun tit”). This material was usually used to made folding gates of shops, wind ducts and containers like mailboxes etc.

[@CantoneseCorner]

@@matthewlaw Thanks for replying -- I'm glad I'm wrong about the white iron being used for cookware. :) So interesting how the pronunciation of "sing tit" really sounds like zinc when you say it together!

[@spanishfly7709]

I have some questions for you. Where can I find the set you bought as a teaching set? Where can I find the Hongkong set with the correct colors like your Hongkong set? Do I have to get a set imported from China to have that bright bubble gum green back color?

[@cocktailzombie]

I live in Japan only know Riichi Mahjong. Eventually will pick up one of the mechanical mahjong tables shame they dont come with friends to play with but i guess they are sold separately.

[@garytung5936]

Happy Easter 🥚🐇🐣🐥

[@CantoneseCorner]

Thanks!! You too! 🐣

[@garytung5936]

@@CantoneseCorner ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@zhuolu3460]

This is a wonderful video, Sue. I hope you could create more videos in your leisure time!

[@CantoneseCorner]

Thank you! I'm working on another one now ... too many things I want to do and too little time! 😅

[@z-wy_539]

I’m so touched by your videos. Thanks for doing this for HK! and PS I just moved to North America too so really grateful for what you’re doing!

[@CantoneseCorner]

You're welcome!! How are you finding life in North America? Nothing will ever be as good as Hong Kong, but there's a lot to be grateful for here -- that's what I have to remind myself every day!

[@garytung9110]

Thank you for sharing

[@xsleeptodreamx]

Wow those sea foam tiles are beautiful! Would you be able to share where you got them?

[@CantoneseCorner]

Hi! I got them in Hung Hom! They're my favourite set now .... got used to playing with this bigger set and the smaller ones are OK, but don't feel as hefty LOL. :D

[@fernlow4235]

My mother, in HK, had a metal box just like yours. I saw it over 30 years ago.

[@CantoneseCorner]

That would be at least how old this one is ... probably older!

[@chansimlin1]

你好，今天睇倒你Video，好開心，好似有個志同道合的新朋友,現在住東岸，希望有機會約你打麻雀😂😂😂

[@yvonneleung265]

First time I see this video ，so amazing ，thank you so much ❤

[@waddlingheights8963]

I will be visiting Hong Kong, is there a place that sell a variety of Mahjong? I love bamboo backing. And also keen on getting an antique set. Thanks so much for your videos, I love the way you speak Cantonese.

[@zerodesu5248]

Thanks for your sharing! So surprised that you have a lot of Mahjong collections. I almost forgot I was obsessed with Mahjong's pattern when I was a kid. Love your video

[@CantoneseCorner]

Thank you! 🤩

[@xoxo-hk3gs]

O that metal box brings back childhood memories. I haven’t seen the metal box for ages ! I have seen purple tiles too. Decades ago there were tiles made of ivory. If you have the specs, you may ask a carpenter to make you a Ma Jong table top which makes the game more enjoyable.

[@CantoneseCorner]

That would be something to have a table-top or even a whole table made. Hmmm.... something to think about and plan for! 😍

[@野原廣志-w2g]

正！我都未試過對麻雀有深入研究

[@ST-hr7fb]

Thank you for sharing. The NY Yankee set has a wrong tile - the Chinese character for South was crafted wrong.

[@selectyoutuification]

putting the stickers on I think that is easier and smart way to go

[@CantoneseCorner]

Thank you!!! I'm so glad you agree. :). I just wish the US had better stationary shops like they do in Hong Kong to go and find stickers at. You know, like the little mom and pop shops crammed full of all kinds of things. I can spend hours in a HK stationary shop (or the ones in Japan are amazing too :)!

[@jada1230]

wow finally learn canto speaking vids from an english speaker 😊awesome

[@sumpolo7272]

I am from Hong Kong but I have no idea how to play this game. However, I always thought it is amazing when player can tell which tile they have simply by feel of their fingertips!

[@CantoneseCorner]

Me too!!! I can only manage to tell the baahk baan (white dragon) and sometimes the hung jung (red dragon) ... but I'm not confident enough to just slap it back on the table without taking a peek to make sure I'm right. My father-in-law could play with his eyes closed, I think! He just draws the tile while feeling it and discards it without looking. Amazing! PS. And you should learn to play! It's so much fun and a great excuse to get together with friends and socialize for a few hours. :)

[@xoxo-hk3gs]

Ma Jong is therapeutic. People chat and gossip and leash their feelings. Also there are stories that people tell about the Ma Jong table. Some older generation people say they can know the temperaments of people on the table 🤣, eg boyfriend of their daughter ….. to see if he will be a good future husband. We have also heard an elderly woman after playing Ma Jong day and night , collapsed on the table and died 😞.

[@lokfung4864]

True, true, if the boyfriend try to let elderly wins on purpose, we called it “鬆章”, this is also a way to show good gesture and to create positive first impression

[@CantoneseCorner]

@@lokfung4864 So interesting! This reminds me so much of the mahjong scene in Crazy Rich Asians .... best scene in the history of movies! Not exactly a boyfriend scene, but a lot of symbolism and nuances in that one scene between Rachel and her future mother-in-law.

[@kamChai]

(4:39) I have the plain one, but I like the green one, it's more traditional.

[@XrayDoc88]

Do you have an opinion on Melamine vs. Acrylic tiles. I believe most sets are made from melamine, but I've seen some more expensive sets advertised with "scratch resistant" acrylic. I believe acrylic may be transparent and lighter in weight, but I really just want very nice tiles.

[@garytung5936]

我第一個like 👍

[@GarFieldSnakes]

Hello. Thank you for the video. You said to post the sizes in the description but you didn't put sizes there :). what is 'standard'? I see 34 and 36mm. I see XL for 40mm and even 42mm. What is the normal competition size? I'm looking to get a set for myself as i'm just learning.

[@凍檸茶殺手]

睇到好想打麻雀😍😍

[@CordeliaAurora]

Oof the bigger tiles look so fun to handle

[@路人甲-k2k]

support from a mahjong lover!

[@CantoneseCorner]

Thank you!! 🤗🀄️🇭🇰❤️

[@argonwheatbelly637]

My sister still has my mother's Bakelite set. I have a set upstairs from HK.

[@clarewalker245]

Do you have a link to the set with extra large tiles wi the sea green (bluish green) backing?

[@eViL-PORCUPINE]

Can. you post a link to one that is just traditional in size and doesnt have the numbers carved onto them? Would appriciate. I've ordered 2 already and seems small. Ugh! So irritating!

[@squarehead560]

Have you ever played with antique set made with part bamboo and how does it compare with more modern day sets?

[@anonymousdonor7073]

Hi I found your channel when I was looking for a mahjong set to learn how to play Hong Kong style mahjong. Is there anything in particular that I need to look for to play this style other than what is mentioned in your video?

[@loganchu707]

I Love you!😘

[@melodymead6167]

The last set you showed with the stickers, had 1,2,3,4 on four of the tiles?

[@lxxcxsxx]

睇得出好用心 支持

[@凍檸茶殺手]

你好呀～😍😍😍 Sometimes I will call (靚仔)handsome boy, instead of whiteboard

[@CantoneseCorner]

Really? You mean you'll call the 白板 a 靚仔 ?

[@CordeliaAurora]

Mahjong tiles are so beautiful As much art as it is a game But lol at the Yankees set It's so bizarre to see and it doesn't really look that good (to me)

[@Flounder3636]

do you have a link where you got the sea green color set?

[@germanchow9491]

That is a very good introduction in this clip but I believe you are the expert of Mahjong. By the way, will you consider having a Mahjong Book from a HK and US mixed perspective? You should have a million words to say in the book.

[@CantoneseCorner]

That would be really interesting! Maybe some day .... :)

[@lexaaxel916]

Thank you Sue! : )

[@CantoneseCorner]

Hi!! You're most welcome! Hope you're having a wonderful weekend! 💖

[@sianke1991]

New Mahjong Video!

[@CantoneseCorner]

Finally, right? lol 😂 I've been meaning to do one for AGES ... but they always take me five times as long as other videos. :)

[@sianke1991]

@@CantoneseCorner Just previous ones, this one is also great.

[@CantoneseCorner]

@@sianke1991 Thank you 🥰 !

[@chriswalker810]

Nice collection! I'm more into Riichi Mahjong than other variants of Mahjong. I tend to get yellow backs for my tiles when I can. I did buy a numbers and letters set for teaching. Which is fine since I have two Riichi sets that are traditional. I like the size of Hong Kong tiles more but I like the Japanese style of font more. Love to get them combined. Anyways I had one of those mats but I didn't like it. The carpet fibers would snag on some of the engravings of the tiles. I recommend getting a Gameland mat from Amazon instead. It's an overgrown mouse pad mat. They have it in billiard green and billiard blue. It's not the actual color but it reminds me of billiard colors of cloth. I actually don't like the bright colors of the traditional Hong Kong tiles. I prefer the Taiwanese and Japanese colors. My numbered set is a Chinese set but is the size of Riichi tiles 30mm. Riichi tiles range from 25mm to 30mm in height. 40mm is the biggest size I would like playing with. I have a 34mm Chinese tile set that has yellow backs. Love playing Riichi with that set.

[@CantoneseCorner]

Interesting about the carpet fibres snagging on the engravings and thanks for the tip on the Gameland mat -- I'll have to check it out!

[@msqunhua]

There's a museum in Zhejiang.

[@gr3yh47]

where can i buy the sea green set?

[@KK-yu2kn]

I remember when I was young my grandmother everyday she was played the traditional mahjong,but it is very difficult to find the traditional mahjong now,you how to find it ? From HK?

[@CantoneseCorner]

For me, I'd have to say yes, the little shops in Hong Kong are the most authentic places I've seen to get a HK mahjong set from -- but because even in the little shops they are selling the machine-cut versions, it makes sense that these same versions must also be available elsewhere? I've not bought a set from amazon yet, but from pictures and descriptions and reviews, they do seem to be as authentic as they come -- at least the ones I've found and linked to in the description above. There must be other shops not on amazon, but I haven't done much digging yet. Am hoping that someone will comment and let us know!

[@KK-yu2kn]

@@CantoneseCorner You are a Wonder Woman because Cantonese is very difficult language and you still can play mahjong!this amazing!!!

[@CantoneseCorner]

@@KK-yu2kn It's because I have a wonderful mother-in-law 😍

[@OriginalBabyBoi]

My girlfriend is first generation Chinese, and always talking about mahjong and playing me her grandparents as a child. I want to get her a traditional type of set, and I sent three options to her brother for his input. He didn't like any of the three I picked, and said maybe I can only get one from a Chinese store or straight from China. I would like to get it asap before Christmas, can I get some advice on places to buy, and what is important to look for in making sure it's at least close to traditional?

[@CantoneseCorner]

That's so sweet of you to do!! Do you mind to describe which three you picked? What were his objections? I'd love to help if I can!

[@OriginalBabyBoi]

@@CantoneseCorner I've responded twice with links, but don't see them. Does KZbin delete comments with links?

[@OriginalBabyBoi]

@@CantoneseCorner quick Google search says they do, so for a third time haha... After some research, I realized I was looking at American versions with jokers. Her uncle helped me look, and I ended up ordered two sets, because I don't know what I'm looking at exactly online. The first is what he suggested: green backs, large tiles(1-1/2" tall), and Chinese characters but did have numbers up top. The second set was so beautiful I couldn't resist to at least see it: acrylic pieces 1" tall, all black with nice betting sticks and a really nice box. It might "look"American, but claims to be a Chinese version. Both ordered on Amazon. Green set from Gustaria store for $59.96, and the second from yellow mountain for $117.99. I can keep doing research before making a final decision, but with a lot of online buying these days, it's hard to know from pictures.

[@OriginalBabyBoi]

@@CantoneseCorner BTW, I ordered that beautiful mat that you have, but wanted the red one, so I wasn't able to use your link. Maybe you can add more colors to increase the odds of people using it?

[@CantoneseCorner]

@@OriginalBabyBoi I didn't know they don't accept links in comments, so that's good to know! :) Both sets sounds nice -- the green melamine is of course super traditional and the 1" tall black one sounds gorgeous -- I just looked it up on Amazon and wow! It's stunning! It definitely is a Chinese set, but with the sticks and smaller size of tiles, it could be more similar to what you'd find in Taiwan -- like my NY Yankees set. But the box is definitely way nicer than the brown plastic-covered cardboard box that is pretty standard with most mahjong sets and falls apart pretty quickly 😂

[@jerometsowinghuen]

Honestly, even my grandfather likes to play mahjong (麻雀) with my parents and relatives, but I wouldn't play it. Gambling is not the way to have a life, the more of losing, the less we have. On the contrary, it is informative to know the guidelines of mahjong.

[@CantoneseCorner]

I agree about the gambling ... but if you can play for fun, or just for chips and not money, then it's a great way to keep the mind sharp and enjoy spending time with friends. Or if you play with the same group of friends and do play for money, it always seems to even out in the end .. and if it doesn't, you just have to keep playing! :)

[@xue7700]

It's called 麻将... Origin from Canton, people from north mainland China always like changing names of foreign inventions. Example, 1. lift(lift in Mandarin pronounces as" dian ti"(電梯）while in Cantonese lift is just pronounced as "lift"（𨋢）. 2. Buss，in Mandarin buss is pronounced as 公交車（completely different as the pronunciation「b^s」while in Cantonese buss is just pronounced as buss( the same pronunciation, different writing form 巴士）Guys, got my point now?

[@野原廣志-w2g]

支持你！加油

[@CantoneseCorner]

Thank you so much!! 多謝晒 !

[@michaelsvr6]

30 years is a long time to leave home. I guess hk is home now

[@jameshalleluyah8133]

No ones going to mention the eyes, were just going to deny the eyes!

[@soundman6645]

don't be rediculous, if you are not a Chinese speaker .... buy a set with the Eurpoean numbers on the tiles .... mahjong is a steep enough learning curve without deliberately disadvantaging yourself. Even if you want to learn the Chinese number characters, having both on the tiles is a learning aid Besides unless you are in a Chinese speaking country or specifically buying from a Chinese store, most sets on the market will have European markings

[@CantoneseCorner]

I can't disagree with you -- it's best to do what works for you, but do find the sticker method to be a good compromise 🥰

[@Hampstead343]

Personally, I think man suit and winds SHOULD have the arabic numbers and letters because it's critical to know the meaning, well at least for 4 to 9.

[@kamChai]

I also have a metal box, but mine is shorter.

[@CantoneseCorner]

Is yours rough and sand-papery like mine? I would like it a whole lot more if it weren't! :)

[@kamChai]

@@CantoneseCorner as like as yours but it's shorter. 😁

[@CantoneseCorner]

@@kamChai Very cool to know someone else has one too! :)

[@michellesevilla2336]

What size is the green tiles?

[@axl2531]

Hi! Are you Persian by any chance?

[@CantoneseCorner]

No .... but my grandmother was from Rokycany in the Czech Republic, and my other grandmother was half Norwegian and Swedish. I look most like my Norwegian/Swedish grandmother. :)

[@sianke1991]

10:30 For people don't use pounds just like me 18.6 pounds ≈ 8.44 kg 11 pounds ≈ 4.99 kg 12 pounds ≈ 5.44 kg

[@CantoneseCorner]

Thank you!! ❤️

[@xue7700]

It's 麻将... Origin from Canton, people from north mainland China always like changing names of foreign inventions. Example, 1. lift(lift in Mandarin pronounces as" dian ti"(電梯）while in Cantonese lift is just pronounced as "lift"（𨋢）. 2. Buss，in Mandarin buss is pronounced as 公交車（completely different as the pronunciation「b^s」while in Cantonese buss is just pronounced as buss( the same pronunciation, different writing form 巴士）Guys, got my point now?

[@CantoneseCorner]

Thanks for the insight! So if lift/elevator is 電梯 in Mandarin, what is escalator? Do they use the same word interchangeably for elevator and escalator? 電梯 makes sense to me for escalator because it's "electric ladder" but doesn't seem to really fit an elevator. I would never think to call an elevator/lift a 電梯 in Cantonese .... in HK, I've only ever heard it as either a "līp" or a sīng gong gēi 升降機 . And an escalator is a 電梯 dihn tāi. And I always wondered why "mah jong" in English was so different from the Cantonese that uses "màh jeuk" 麻雀 . A throwback to the original days when it was 麻將 and not 麻雀 ?

[@xue7700]

@@CantoneseCorner escalator ＝扶手電梯

[@xue7700]

@@CantoneseCorner Sometimes escalator＝電梯 (if people are not sure the name, interchangeably)

[@CantoneseCorner]

@@xue7700 Thanks!

[@dn_nb]

我以为你在UK？

[@noviceprogrammer2011]

This is directed at Sue: your Cantonese is good, possibly better than most locals. HOWEVER ..... I do have a small point to make. That concerns something called lazy pronunciation. I noticed you, (as well as many others in HK) pronounce the word you ( 你) as lei. For some reason unknown to me, the younger generation seem to pronounce words that ought to begin with an N with the letter L. The word 你 should be pronounced nei. Similarly, brain (腦) is commonly pronounced lo, instead of no. To your credit though, you do pronounce the word cross (過) as gwor and NOT gor, as many do. A more subtle point would be Hang Seng (恒生). It should be pronounced hunG sunG, emphasising the G but many simply say hun sun. In that case, they make no clear distinction between an orange (橙) and a spade (鏟).

[@CantoneseCorner]

Thank you! I actually have a whole video on "lazy" pronunciation kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKCamZp9nJucfLM and while I do fall "victim" to using léih instead of néih, I do try to keep the "w" in gwo and gwok, so I'm glad you noticed! Thank you for educating listeners/readers on the whole lazy pronunciation and do check out my video on the same: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKCamZp9nJucfLM :)

[@ittotaq]

can we learn some slang :)

[@TobyJones69]

You look like Winona rider

[@CantoneseCorner]

Really? 😅 Sometimes people will say I look like Susan Sarandon and once when I was getting out of a lift, a girl looked at me in amazement and said she thought I was Celine Dion! 🥰

[@TobyJones69]

Cantonese Corner haha cool. Yea, u do look like those ladies. I can see Susan Sarandon In u. But I think Winona Ryder is the closest haha

[@xue7700]

I think the language(Cantonese) should be called as "白話"！！Because, according to history there's a title called 兩廣總督 which means the officer of 廣東&廣西 even including 海南. On the other hand, 廣府（Guang office), 廣信塔(it's a symbol tower of connection) Nowadays, many Guangxi people still speak 白話(Cantonese). Although people take 廣州&HK pronunciation as the standard pronunciation for白話(Cantonese), but don't forget that according to history there's a 白話文!!

[@aGuyWithConscience]

不知你懂不懂廣東話的疊字呃？例如白雪雪、白saai4 saai4、黑meng1 meng1、黑沈沈、高棟棟、矮dat1 dat1等等。

[@azam987654321]

WHY YOU MOVE AWAY FROM THE MOTHERLAND