青年旅舍
cing1 nin4 leoi5 se3
The Cantonese word for hostel is 青年旅舍 (cing1 nin4 leoi5 se3).
A hostel is an affordable overnight lodging place.
Meaning: an affordable overnight lodging place (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term 青年旅舍 is composed of 青年 (youth), 旅 (travel/trip) and 舍 (lodging/house).
Which one should you use?
旅社 translates to "guesthouse" and 招待所 translates to "lodging house". 青旅 is a popular abbreviation for 青年旅舍.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong, the most commonly used term for "hostel" is 青年旅舍. In Guangzhou, 旅舍 is frequently used in both formal and informal contexts. In Macao, the term 青少年旅舍 is occasionally used to mean "youth hostel".
How do you pronounce it?
cing1 nin4 leoi5 se3
Did you know?
- In certain Cantonese contexts, the term 旅舍 can be used as a euphemism for very cheap, hourly-rate hotels, which can lead to confusion for travelers looking for a traditional youth hostel.
- The character 舍 in 青年旅舍 is the same character used in words for student 'dormitories', linking the concept of hostels to communal academic housing.
- The term 招待所 (lodging house) is often associated with state-run or official guest houses rather than the private, social atmosphere of a modern hostel.
Examples in context
- 呢間青年旅舍好平。ni1 gaan1 cing1 nin4 leoi5 se4 hou2 peng4.This hostel is very cheap.
- 我哋預訂咗一間青年旅舍。ngo5 dei6 jyu6 ding6 zo2 jat1 gaan1 cing1 nin4 leoi5 se4.We booked a hostel.
- 你想住青年旅舍定酒店？nei5 soeng2 zyu6 cing1 nin4 leoi5 se4 ding6 zau2 dim3?Do you want to stay in a hostel or a hotel?
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing travel plans in a cafe.
- 美玲 Mei Ling家明，我哋去旅行住青年旅舍呀。gaa1 ming4, ngo5 dei6 heoi3 lei5 hang4 zyu6 cing1 nin4 leoi5 se4 aa3.Ka Ming, let's stay in a hostel for our trip.
- 家明 Ka Ming好呀，我想慳啲錢。hou2 aa3, ngo5 soeng2 gaan1 di1 cin2.Okay, I want to save some money.
- 美玲 Mei Ling呢間青年旅舍個環境唔錯。ni1 gaan1 cing1 nin4 leoi5 se4 go3 waan4 ging2 m4 co3.The environment of this hostel is quite good.
- 家明 Ka Ming咁就定咗佢啦。gam2 zau6 ding6 zo2 keoi5 laa1.Then let's book it.
