Canto Be Like

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Fresh off the boat or looking to rent a new flat? Don't worry, I've got you covered. Listen to learn new vocabs and phrases to use when negotiating with your landlord and requesting for a free repair for your leaking toilet. Also, I threw in some extra so you can talk with Hong Kong people about your housing situation!

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Hey fam! I'm trying new format out and presenting you things to do in HK this month. Going forward I will update my monthly picks of events, shows and locations to add some spice to your HK city life. 

Things I covered in this episode 

1. Kooza by Cirque du Soleil
2. Hong Kong Book Fair
3. Hong Kong Football Festival
4. Joan Cornellà : Hong Kong Solo Exhibition 2025
5. Anti-loneliness Club
6. WestK Cabaret Nights

Disclaimers: I am not sponsored or affiliated with these events and organisations. Do attend at your own discretion! But, I hope you have a great time :)

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In this fully Cantonese episode, we dive into Hong Kong’s housing scene—from subdivided flats (劏房) and public housing to luxury private estates. We compare life in the New Territories (NT), Kowloon, and Hong Kong Island: Is NT cheaper but too remote? Is Kowloon convenient but crowded? Is HK Island upscale but overpriced? Whether you're a local, a newcomer, or just curious, this episode gives you real insights on where and how to live in HK!

🎧 Tune in and tell us—which district do YOU live in? #HongKongHousing #CantonesePodcast #HKLife

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Hong Kong Housing – The Reality of Tiny Spaces & High Prices

Hong Kong’s housing market is one of the most unaffordable in the world. This episode breaks down the realities of living in a city where space is a luxury. First, we explore the different types of housing—from cramped subdivided flats to high-end luxury towers—and what daily life looks like for residents. You’ll hear about "nano-apartments" smaller than parking spots and the struggles of families living in single-room spaces.

Next, we dig into why housing supply remains limited despite high demand. Government land policies, the dominance of major property developers, and historical land-use decisions all play a role. We also discuss how housing shortages fuel broader social tensions in Hong Kong.

Want to share your thoughts? DM us your own housing experiences or questions. For bonus content, check out our Patreon for extended discussions on how young people cope with sky-high rents. Listen now on your favourite podcast platform!

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Canto Be Like – Bonus Episode: "Essential Cantonese Numbers Guide"

Hey there! To celebrate hitting a podcast milestone (as of the time of publish we've hit 500 downloads!) I made this number guide just for you :)

Whether you're just starting out or brushing up on your Cantonese, this bonus episode is your friendly guide to mastering numbers in everyday situations. Let’s make counting, telling time, and handling money feel natural—no stress, just practical learning!

What You’ll Learn:

🔹 Counting 1-100 – The right tones so you don’t accidentally say "dead" (四 sei3) instead of "four"
🔹 Prices & Money – How to say amounts smoothly (so you don’t freeze at the market)
🔹 Telling Time – Because it's essential!
🔹 Real-Life Examples – Practice with scenarios like ordering food, shopping, and making plans

Why Listen?

• No textbook fluff – Just what you’d actually say in conversations
• Avoid common mix-ups (like 十 sap6 "ten" vs. 濕 sap1 "wet")
• Feel more confident next time you’re chatting in Cantonese

Put on your headphones, and let’s get comfortable with Cantonese numbers—one step at a time. Happy learning, and see you in the episode!

P.S. Got a number-related question or funny mix-up story? DM us!

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You can find me on Instagram and YouTube. 

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New Episode Alert! 🎙️ Canto Be Like: Eating Out in Hong Kong – From Arrival to Bill!"

Join us for a delicious new episode of Canto Be Like—your go-to Cantonese podcast for learning practical, real-life phrases! This time, we’re diving into Hong Kong’s vibrant dining scene, teaching you everything from entering the restaurant to asking for the bill like a local.

🍜 What you’ll learn:
✅ Arriving & Seating – How to greet staff and request a table
📝 Ordering Food – Must-know phrases for dishes, allergies, and preferences
🍽️ During the Meal – Polite expressions and how to ask for extras
💰 Finishing Up – Smoothly asking for the bill 

Perfect for travelers, foodies, or anyone looking to speak Cantonese confidently while eating out! 🎧 Tune in now and level up your Cantonese dining game!

#Cantonese #LearnCantonese #HongKongFood #LanguagePodcast #CantoBeLike

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廣東話餐廳禮儀指南 | Cantonese Dining Etiquette Unlocked

Transcript

想學識港式餐廳嘅潛規則？今集我哋深入講解點用「唔該」橫掃香港飲食界！由搭枱文化、追單技巧，到點樣先唔會被阿姐鬧，20分鐘速成「港式求生禮儀」：

訂閱收聽→ 學做個「識食」嘅廣東話達人！

English Version
Master the art of "M4 goi" in Hong Kong diners! This 20-min Cantonese episode cracks the code of local dining etiquette:
✔️ 5 secret uses of "M4 goi" (beyond just "thank you")
✔️ Decoding cha chaan teng slang
✔️ Social faux pas to avoid (unless you want the side-eye)

Subscribe now→ Sound like a HK local in your next yum cha!

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You can find me on Instagram and YouTube. 

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🎙️Cantonese Crash Course: Hong Kong’s Culinary Scene

Transcript

Welcome to Canto Be Like. This episode we teach Cantonese through the lens of Hong Kong’s most iconic food scenes! In this season, we’re diving fork-first into the city’s culinary madness—from sizzling dai pai dongs (大牌檔) where wok masters rule, to cha lau (茶樓) dim sum dramas, and the wild fusion of cha chaan tengs (茶餐廳).

You’ll learn:
✔️ Survival Cantonese (how to order like a local without getting side-eyed)
✔️ Secret menu hacks (like "少甜少冰" for no-sugar-no-ice drinks)
✔️ Unwritten rules (how to fill in the dim sum order list)
✔️ Cultural tidbits (how dim sum was served in the old days)

Each episode blends language lessons, humor, and insider stories—perfect for travelers, foodies, or anyone who’s ever cried over a pineapple bun (it has no pineapple!).

Subscribe now for other episodes to hone your Canto and learn HK culture!

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How to subscribe to premium content HK Dispatch?

• Spotify (requires Patreon account)
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You can find me on Instagram and YouTube. 

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Transcript

🎙️ "Learn Cantonese: Getting Around Hong Kong"

Welcome to Canto Be Like, where we make learning Cantonese fun and practical! In this episode, we’ll guide you through Hong Kong’s transportation system—from the MTR and buses to Octopus cards—so you can navigate the city like a local.

🔹 What You’ll Learn:
✔️ Twelve Essential Cantonese phrases and 30 vocabs (plus some bonus ones threw in) for taking the MTR, buses and more

✔️ How to use an Octopus card (and where to top it up!)
✔️ Helpful questions like "How do I get to Central?" or "Does this bus go to Tsim Sha Tsui?"
✔️ Bonus cultural tips (e.g., why you shouldn’t eat on the MTR!)

Whether you’re a traveller, expat, or just love Cantonese, this episode will give you the confidence to explore Hong Kong with ease. Tune in, practice along, and soon you’ll get around 冇問題 (no problem)!

🚇 Hop on board—let’s learn Cantonese while discovering HK!

Support the show

How to subscribe to premium content HK Dispatch?

• Spotify (requires Patreon account)
• Apple Podcast (in-app subscription)
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You can find me on Instagram and YouTube. 

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For transcripts

節目介紹：香港交通全攻略－地鐵、巴士、電車同八達通貼士

一齊嚟探索香港超方便嘅公共交通啦！今集同你講晒港鐵、雙層巴士、叮叮電車同埋天星小輪。教你點用八達通最抵（仲有個搞笑瘀事分享！），等你可以好似本地人咁周圍去。無論你係遊客定住咗好耐，呢個攻略都可以幫你慳錢慳時間，玩轉香港！🚇🚌⛴️🚃 #香港旅遊 #八達通 #香港交通

(附粵拼版本)
gei3 mok6 gai3 siu6：hoeng1 gong2 gung1 siu4 cyun4 gung2 leuk6－dei6 tit3、baa1 si2、din6 ding1 tung4 baat3 daat6 tung1 tip3 si2

jat1 cai4 lai4 taan3 sok3 hoeng1 gong2 ciu1 fong1 bin6 ge3 gung1 gung1 gaau2 tung4 laa1！gam1 zaap6 tung4 nei5 gong2 saai3 gong2 tit3、soeng1 cap6 baa1 si2、ding1 ding1 din6 ding1 tung4 tin1 sing1 siu2 leon4。gaau3 nei5 dim2 jung6 baat3 daat6 tung1 zeoi3 dai2（zung6 jau6 go3 gaau2 siu3 jyu1 si6 fen1 soeng2！），dang2 nei5 ho2 ji5 hou2 ci5 bun2 dei6 jan4 gam2 soeng1 wai4。mou4 lun4 nei5 hai6 jau4 haak3 ding6 zyu6 zo2 hou2 noi6，ni1 go3 gung2 leuk6 dou1 ho2 ji5 bong1 nei5 saang1 cin2 saang1 si4 gaan1，waan4 zyun2 hoeng1 gong2！🚇🚌⛴️🚃 #hoeng1 gong2 leoi5 jau4 #baat3 daat6 tung1 #hoeng1 gong2 gung1 siu4

Support the show

How to subscribe to premium content HK Dispatch?

• Spotify (requires Patreon account)
• Apple Podcast (in-app subscription)
• Other platforms (Buzzsprout)

You can find me on Instagram and YouTube.