Vehicles

1. 私家車

   si1 gaa1 ce1

   Private car

   Usage

   Cantonese calls a private car "si1 gaa1 ce1". Just "ce1" also works

2. 巴士

   baa1 si2

   Bus

   Usage

   A transliteration of English "bus". Show it with the route number to get pointed to the right stop

3. 雙層巴士

   soeng1 cang4 baa1 si2

   Double-decker bus

   Usage

   A Hong Kong icon — the front row upstairs is the best seat. Tap your Octopus card as you board

4. 小巴

   siu2 baa1

   Minibus

   Usage

   A 16-seater. Red-roofed ones stop anywhere but you must call out "jau5 lok6" (getting off) yourself. Green ones use fixed stops

5. 叮叮

   ding1 ding1

   Ding Ding tram

   Usage

   Officially "din6 ce1", but everyone calls it "ding ding" after its bell. The double-decker tram along northern Hong Kong Island — board at the back, pay at the front when you get off

6. 港鐵

   gong2 tit3

   MTR

   Usage

   The official name of Hong Kong's rail network, and what station signs say. It covers the metro, suburban, and airport lines

7. 地鐵

   dei6 tit3

   Subway

   Usage

   The word used in Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and other Cantonese cities. Many Hongkongers say it in conversation too

8. 輕鐵

   hing1 tit3

   Light Rail

   Usage

   The tram-style line serving Tuen Mun and Yuen Long in the western New Territories. There are no gates — tap your Octopus on the platform before boarding

9. 機場快綫

   gei1 coeng4 faai3 sin3

   Airport Express

   Usage

   Links the airport and Hong Kong Station in 24 minutes. Free shuttle buses run from the city stations, and you can check in for your flight there

10. 火車

    fo2 ce1

    Train

    Usage

    Used for long-distance trains into the mainland. The high-speed service from West Kowloon is "gou1 tit3"

11. 的士

    dik1 si2

    Taxi

    Usage

    A transliteration of "taxi". In Hong Kong the colour marks the service area: red for urban, green for the New Territories, blue for Lantau

12. 電單車

    din6 daan1 ce1

    Motorcycle

    Usage

    Cantonese says "din6 daan1 ce1", not the Mandarin "mótuōchē" — Mandarin speakers may not catch it

13. 單車

    daan1 ce1

    Bicycle

    Usage

    The Tai Po to Tai Mei Tuk cycle path is the popular ride. To rent one, say "zou1 daan1 ce1"

14. 飛機

    fei1 gei1

    Airplane

    Usage

    The airport is "gei1 coeng4". Note that "fong3 fei1 gei1" (to release a plane) is slang for standing someone up

15. 船

    syun4

    Boat

    Usage

    Covers everything from an island hop to the Macau jetfoil

16. 天星小輪

    tin1 sing1 siu2 leon4

    Star Ferry

    Usage

    The century-old crossing between Tsim Sha Tsui and Central or Wan Chai. A few minutes on board buys you the Victoria Harbour view

17. 渡輪

    dou6 leon4

    Ferry

    Usage

    The scheduled boats to the outlying islands — Cheung Chau, Lamma, Lantau — from the Central piers

18. 舢舨

    saan1 baan2

    Sampan

    Usage

    The little boat that tours the Aberdeen floating village. Agree the price and duration before you get in

19. 纜車

    laam6 ce1

    Cable car

    Usage

    Covers both Lantau's Ngong Ping 360 and the Peak Tram. Tell the counter whether you want one-way or return

20. 救護車

    gau3 wu6 ce1

    Ambulance

    Usage

    Hong Kong's emergency number is 999. Show "giu3 gau3 wu6 ce1" — call an ambulance

21. 貨車

    fo3 ce1

    Truck

    Usage

    Use it when describing an accident or a blocked road

22. 租車

    zou1 ce1

    Car rental

    Usage

    Hong Kong drives on the left and parking is scarce, so public transport is usually the better bet. Cars with a driver are also available

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