siu2 fai3小費小费
Jyutpingsiu2 fai3
Yalesíu fai
Definition
Tip; gratuity; a sum of money given voluntarily as a reward for service.
colloquialmoneyfood
How it's used
While 小費 is the formal term, most people in Hong Kong use the loanword 貼士 to refer to tips in daily conversation. Tipping culture is not standard practice in Hong Kong restaurants, as most establishments automatically add a ten percent service charge to the bill. If you choose to leave extra money, it is usually seen as a gesture of appreciation for exceptional service rather than an obligation.
Measure word
bat1筆bātExamples
How much tip did you give the waiter?
You usually don't need to leave a tip when eating here.
Related words
Common phrases
to give a tip
Common mistake
Do not confuse the meaning of 貼士 with the English word tips in the sense of helpful advice, as 貼士 is used for both meanings in Cantonese.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
