fo2 gei3夥記伙记
Jyutpingfo2 gei3
Yalefó gei
Definition
Waiter, waitress, or employee.
- waiter; waitress
- employee; staff member; co-worker
colloquialfoodpeople
How it's used
Originally referring to partners or colleagues in a business, this term has evolved to be the standard way to address staff in traditional tea restaurants and local eateries. It carries a friendly, informal tone that feels much more natural than the formal 侍應 in a casual setting. Using it helps establish a rapport with the staff, signaling that you are a local who is comfortable with the city's dining culture.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Waiter, we need two more sets of cutlery here.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this term in high-end, fine-dining restaurants or hotels, where it may sound overly casual or even disrespectful. In those environments, it is safer to use 侍應 or simply get their attention with a polite excuse me.
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.
