Latest / Learn Cantonese with Fexingo / Cantonese: Asking for the Bill
Transcript
- Lucas: Welcome back to Learn Cantonese with Fexingo. I am Lucas. Luna: And I am Luna. And oh my gosh, I am starving. Lucas: We just finished a huge meal, didn't we? In our imaginary restaurant. Luna: Yeah. It was delicious. But now I have that panic moment. Lucas: The bill panic? Yes. This is what we are learning today. Luna: How do I ask for the check without looking confused? Lucas: It is simple. The most common phrase is maai4 daan1. Luna: Maai4 daan1. Let me try. Maai4 daan1. Lucas: Perfect. Maai4 daan1 means 'check please' or 'bill please'. Luna: Okay. So if I want to be polite, I add something at the start. Lucas: Right. You say m4 goi1 saai3 maai4 daan1. Luna: M4 goi1 saai3 maai4 daan1. That sounds very respectful. Lucas: M4 goi1 saai3 is 'thank you very much'. It softens the request. Luna: So I wave the waiter over and say m4 goi1 saai3 maai4 daan1. Lucas: Exactly. Or just point to the table and say m4 goi1 saai3. Luna: Wait, just m4 goi1 saai3? Without the bill part? Lucas: Yes. If you finish eating, the context implies you want the bill. Luna: Oh, that is clever. M4 goi1 saai3. Simple and clear. Lucas: Let's practice the full phrase again. M4 goi1 saai3 maai4 daan1. Luna: M4 goi1 saai3 maai4 daan1. I love how short it is. Lucas: It is efficient. Now, what if you want to know the total first? Luna: Right. I always worry about the total before I pay. Lucas: You can ask gei3 do1 cin2? Luna: Gei3 do1 cin2? Is that 'how much money'? Lucas: Yes. Gei3 do1 cin2 means 'how much is it'? Luna: So I can say m4 goi1 saai3 gei3 do1 cin2? Lucas: That works too. It combines the thanks with the question. Luna: M4 goi1 saai3 gei3 do1 cin2. Okay. I feel ready. Lucas: But wait. Sometimes they bring cash. What if you need a receipt? Luna: A receipt! Oh right. I forgot that one. Lucas: The word for receipt is sau4 geoi3. Luna: Sau4 geoi3. Like 'shoe'? No, different tone. Lucas: Correct. Sau4 geoi3. To ask for one, you say jau5 hau5 sau4 geoi3? Luna: Jau5 hau5 sau4 geoi3? 'Have receipt'? Lucas: Literally yes. Do you have a receipt? It is a natural way to ask. Luna: Jau5 hau5 sau4 geoi3. Got it. Very useful for expenses. Lucas: Sometimes places don't give them unless asked. Good to know. Luna: Also, some places let you take a photo of the bill now. Lucas: Yes. If you want to photograph the bill, you can say... Luna: Can I take a picture? Keoi2 faan2 jing2 soeng3 maa6? Lucas: Keoi2 faan2 jing2 soeng3 maa6. Yes. Though usually for receipts. Luna: Keoi2 faan2 jing2 soeng3 maa6 sau4 geoi3. Lucas: Can I take a picture of the receipt? Yes. That works. Luna: I feel like a pro now. M4 goi1 saai3 maai4 daan1. Lucas: You are. Just remember to smile when you say it. Luna: Smiling makes it polite? Definitely. Lucas: It does. Let's recap the main phrase. M4 goi1 saai3 maai4 daan1. Luna: M4 goi1 saai3 maai4 daan1. Thank you very much, bill please. Lucas: And the question for price. Gei3 do1 cin2? Luna: Gei3 do1 cin2? How much money? Lucas: And asking for a receipt. Jau5 hau5 sau4 geoi3? Luna: Jau5 hau5 sau4 geoi3? Have receipt? Lucas: Great job today. You handled that smoothly. Luna: Thanks, Lucas. I am still hungry though. Lucas: We should probably go find a real place to eat. Luna: Lead the way. I will handle the bill this time. Lucas: With your new phrases? I trust you completely. Luna: M4 goi1 saai3 maai4 daan1. See you next time. Lucas: Bye for now. Luna: Hey Lucas, before we go, I really appreciate these episodes. Lucas: Me too. Listener support keeps Fexingo running smoothly. Luna: If you want to help us keep making these free, you can visit buy me a coffee dot com slash fexingo. Lucas: Even a small amount helps us continue creating content for you. Luna: Thanks for listening. See you in the next episode.