dim3 siu2 ji2店小二
Jyutpingdim3 siu2 ji2
Yaledim síu yí
Definition
Waiter or tavern keeper in ancient China.
colloquialpeoplework
How it's used
Historically referring to a server in a traditional Chinese inn or tavern, this term is now used in a playful or slightly archaic manner in modern Hong Kong. It carries a nostalgic or dramatic flair, often used when someone wants to sound like a character from a period drama or a wuxia novel. Using it in a modern, high-end restaurant would sound out of place and likely humorous.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
The shop hired a waiter to help out.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a standard, neutral term for a waiter. In reality, using it in a professional or formal setting will make you sound like you are roleplaying or joking, as the standard term is 侍應.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
