Welcome to our guide on how to say “hotel” in Cantonese, the variant of Chinese spoken in the southern region of China, including Hong Kong and Macau. In this guide, we will cover the formal and informal ways of saying “hotel” in Cantonese, as well as provide you with some useful tips and examples. While Cantonese does have regional variations, we will mainly focus on the standard Cantonese pronunciation.
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Hotel” in Cantonese
When it comes to formal settings, such as when talking to hotel staff or in official contexts, you can use the following phrases to say “hotel” in Cantonese:
1. 酒店 (jau2 dim3)
This is the most commonly used term for “hotel” in Cantonese. It can be used in various contexts, whether you are referring to a luxurious international hotel or a small local inn.
Example: 我要預訂一間酒店。(ngo5 jiu3 jyu6 deng6 jat1 gaan1 jau2 dim3)
Translation: I want to book a hotel.
2. 旅館 (leoi5 gun2)
This term is also commonly used and can be considered a synonym for “酒店” (jau2 dim3). It is often used to refer to smaller hotels or inns.
Example: 這是一家很不錯的旅館。(ze6 si6 jat1 gaa1 han2 bat1 co3 dik1 leoi5 gun2)
Translation: This is a very nice hotel.
3. 客棧 (haak3 zaam2)
This term is a bit less common but is still used in formal situations. It can be translated as “guesthouse” or “lodging” and is often used to describe smaller, more traditional accommodations.
Example: 在市中心附近有一家古色古香的客棧。(zoi6 si5 zung1 sam1 fu6 gan6 jau5 jat1 gaa1 gu2 sik1 gu2 hoeng1 dik1 haak3 zaam2)
Translation: There is a quaint guesthouse near the city center.
Informal Ways to Say “Hotel” in Cantonese
For informal situations or conversations with friends and peers, you can use more colloquial terms to refer to a “hotel” in Cantonese:
1. 酒樓 (jau2 lau4)
This term is often used among Cantonese speakers to refer to a hotel, especially when talking about staying overnight in a hotel during a trip.
Example: 我住係個酒樓度。(ngo5 zyu6 hai6 go3 jau2 lau4 dou6)
Translation: I’m staying at the hotel.
2. 旅舍 (leoi5 se5)
Similar to “酒樓” (jau2 lau4), this term is commonly used among friends and has a more informal and relaxed feel to it.
Example: 我地一齊住緊間旅舍。(ngo5 dei6 jat1 cai4 zyu6 gan2 gaan1 gaan1 leoi5 se5)
Translation: We’re staying together in a hotel.
Useful Tips
1. Pronunciation of Cantonese Tones
Cantonese is a tonal language, meaning that the tone of a word can change its meaning. When pronouncing the word for “hotel” in Cantonese, pay attention to the tones to ensure accurate pronunciation.
- jau2: Second tone, rising tone.
- dim3: Third tone, low falling tone.
- leoi5: Fifth tone, high rising tone.
- gun2: Second tone, rising tone.
- haak3: Third tone, low falling tone.
- zaam2: Second tone, rising tone.
2. Polite Phrases
When interacting with hotel staff or addressing individuals in formal situations, it’s always beneficial to use polite phrases. Here are a few examples:
Example:
- 請問在這附近有酒店嗎？(cing2 man6 zoi6 ze6 fu6 gan6 jau5 jau2 dim3 maa1) – Excuse me, is there a hotel nearby?
- 請問洗手間在哪裡？(cing2 man6 sai2 sau2 gaan1 zoi6 naa5 lei6) – May I ask where the restroom is?
- 謝謝你的幫助。(ze6 ze6 nei5 dik1 bong1 zyu6) – Thank you for your help.
Conclusion
With this comprehensive guide, you now have a variety of ways to say “hotel” in Cantonese. Whether you’re in a formal or informal setting, you can choose the appropriate term from our list. Remember to pay attention to Cantonese tones and consider using polite phrases when interacting with others. Enjoy your Cantonese learning journey and have a great time staying at a hotel in Cantonese-speaking regions!
