From Cantonese
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- ah longA loan shark. Borrowing from ah long means you're in serious trouble.
- aiyahSaid in mild annoyance or resignation, like 'oh come on' or 'never mind lah'. Also spelt aiya.
- ceceOlder sister, from Chinese 'jie jie'. Also che che.
- cheong heiCantonese for long-winded, talking way too much.
- chi sinCantonese for crazy, mental.
- chowTo leave or head off. Also spelt cau, zao.
- chunAccurate, spot on, exactly right.
- fly kiteTo stand someone up or ditch them. Also 'fly aeroplane', from Cantonese.
- gong xi fa caiChinese New Year greeting wishing prosperity. Cantonese speakers say gong hei fatt choy.
- hai maiCantonese for 'is it or not?' or 'right?'.
- haiyaA sigh of exasperation, made famous by parents scolding their kids.
- ham supCantonese for pervy or lecherous.
- horAsks for agreement, like 'right?' or 'you know?', or adds a warning tone.
- hou sikCantonese for delicious. Also spelt ho sek.
- kam chamCantonese for pitiful or miserable.
- kan cheongCantonese for nervous, anxious or panicky. Also gan jeong.
- kautimCantonese for settled or sorted out. Also kau tim.
- kokoOlder brother, from Chinese 'gor gor'. Also gor gor, kor kor.
- kow kowExtra strong or very, very much. Kopi kow kow is super thick coffee. Also spelt kaw kaw, kaw.
- lehAdds a soft, slightly pleading or tentative tone, or gently pushes back on something.
- lengluiCantonese for pretty girl. Also spelt leng lui.
- lengzaiCantonese for handsome guy. Also spelt leng zai.
- lo heiTossing the yee sang salad high at Chinese New Year for good luck. Higher toss, more huat!
- lorShows resignation or that something is obvious, like 'well, that's how it is'. Also spelt loh.
- mahMeans 'it's obvious lah' and is used when giving a reason that should have been clear. Also spelt ma.
- mehTurns a sentence into a doubtful or surprised question, like 'really?' or 'is that so?'.
- mo lei tauCantonese for nonsensical, absurd or random humour.
- mou man taiCantonese for no problem.
- ngamFits just right, or gets along well. From Cantonese. 'Ngam ngam' means just nice.
- niaMeans 'only' or 'just', usually to downplay something.