What is the UK actually?

A lot of Hong Kongers have been moving to the UK lately. Let's learn about what constitutes the UK and find out if maybe we could pass the citizenship test...

Vocabulary

People:

• 主持人 zyu2 ci4 jan4 the host of the program; presenter
• 網友 mong5 jau5 internet users; netizens
• 英女王 jing1 neoi5 wong4 The Queen of England
• 元首 jyun4 sau2 head of state

Places:

• 英國 jing1 gwok3 United Kingdom
• 英格蘭 jing1 gaak3 laan4 England
• 蘇格蘭 sou1 gaak3 laan4 Scotland
• 威爾斯 wai1 ji5 si1 Wales
• 北愛爾蘭 bak1 oi3 ji5 laan4 Northern Ireland
• 愛爾蘭 oi3 ji5 laan4 Ireland
• 大不列顛 daai6 bat1 lit6 din1 Great Britain
• 法國 faat3 gwok3 France
• 海峽群島 hoi2 haap6 kwan4 dou2 Channel Islands
• 曼島 maan6 dou2 Isle of Man
• 聖海倫娜 sing3 hoi2 leon4 naa4 St. Helena
• 福克蘭群島 fuk1 hak1 laan4 kwan4 dou2 The Falkland Islands
• 百慕達 baak3 mou6 daat6 Bermuda
• 開曼群島 hoi1 maan6 kwan4 dou2 Cayman Islands
• 歐洲 au1 zau1 Europe
• 地中海 dei6 zung1 hoi2 Mediterranean Sea
• 直布羅陀 zik6 bou3 lo4 to4 Gibraltar
• 大西洋 daai6 sai1 joeng4 Atlantic Ocean
• 非洲 fei1 zau1 Africa
• 南美洲 (naam4 mei5 zau1 South America
• 巴塔哥尼亞 baa1 taap3 go1 nei4 aa3 Patagonia
• 倫敦 leon4 deon1 London
• 西敏宮 sai1 man5 gung1 Westminster
• 南非 naam4 fei1 South Africa

Types of territory:

• 本土 bun2 tou2 homeland; native land
• 皇家屬地 wong4 gaa1 suk6 dei6 The Crown Dependencies (lit. "depedent lands of the royal family"); the Channel Islands (Jersey & Guernsey), and the Isle of Man
• 海外領土 hoi2 ngoi6 ling5 tou2 Overseas Territory
• 首都 sau2 dou1 capital city
• 英聯邦 jing1 lyun4 bong1 British Commonwealth of Nations (mainly former British colonies)
• 成員國 sing4 jyun4 gwok3 member country

Geographic features:

• 海峽 hoi2 haap6 channel; straits
• 群島 kwan4 dou2  archipelago; group of islands
• 島嶼 dou2 zeoi6 islands
• 小島 siu2 dou2 small island; islet
• 西岸 sai1 ngon6 west coast; [also] the West Bank
• 東岸 dung1 ngon6 east coast
• 主島 zyu2 dou2 the main island
• 海岸 hoi2 ngon6 coast; seashore
• 海域 hoi2 wik6 territorial waters

Politics and civics:

• 民選 man4 syun2 democratically elected
• 議會 ji5 wui2 parliament; council
• 司法系統 si1 faat3 hai6 tung2 judicial system
• 自治權 zi6 zi6 kyun4 autonomous powers
• 國防 gwok3 fong4 national defence
• 外交事務 ngoi6 gaau1 si6 mou6 foreign affairs
• 國會 gwok3 wui2 parliament; national assembly; congress

Everything else:

• 拉闊 laai1 fut3 widening differences; gap; [also here a wordplay on "Life"]
• 溫習 wan1 zaap6 review, revise
• 公佈 gung1 bou3 to announce; to publicize
• 考試 haau2 si3 exam; test
• 範圍 faan6 wai4 range, scope
• 國家足球隊 gwok3 gaa1 zuk1 kau4 deoi2 national football team
• 國際賽 gwok3 zai3 coi3 international competition
• 劃分 waak6 fan1 to divide up, partition
• 搞錯 gaau2 co3 to confuse; mistake; mix-up
• 關聯 gwaan1 lyun4 related; linked
• 一部分 jat1 bou6 fan6 a part; a portion
• 行政 hang4 zing3 administrative; administration
• 財政 coi4 zing3 finances; financial
• 官方 gun1 fong1 official; by the government
• 課本 fo3 bun2 textbook
• 提及 tai4 kap6 to mention
• 既然 gei3 jin4 since; because
• 重點 zung6 dim2 main point; focus
• 詳細 coeng4 sai3 detailed
• 具體 geoi6 tai2 definite; specific
• 初步 co1 bou6 initial steps; preliminaries
• 認識 jing6 sik1 to know, to recognize
• 南部 naam4 bou6 southern section
• 內部 noi6 bou6 interior; internal area
• 負責 fu6 zaak3 responsible for
• 處理 cyu2 lei5 to handle; to deal with
• 事務 si6 mou6 political, etc. affairs
• 練習題 lin6 zaap6 tai4 practice questions
• 明顯 ming4 hin2 obvious
• 形式 jing4 sik1 form; format
• 研究 jin4 gau3 research
• 錯誤 co3 ng6 error; incorrect
• 提問 tai4 man6 to ask a question
• 發問 faat3 man6 to ask a question
• 方式 fong1 sik1 way; style e.g. 提問方式 "way of asking a question"
• 陳述 can4 seot6 declaration; statement
• 經過 ging1 gwo3 to pass by; to go through this experience
• 基本 gei1 bun2 fundamental; basic
• 了解 liu5 gaai2 to understand; understanding

Dialogue

歡迎大家嚟到Life in the UK《拉闊英國生活》。

fun1 jing4 daai6 gaa1 lei4 dou3 Life in the UK "laai1 fut3 jing1 gwok3 saang1 wut6"

Welcome everyone to "Life in the UK - Exploring British Life."

我係你哋嘅節目主持人阿Chris。

ngo5 hai6 nei5 dei6 ge3 zit3 muk6 zyu2 ci4 jan4 aa3 Chris

I'm your host, Chris.

今日同大家溫習《Life in the UK Test》嘅內容。

gam1 jat6 tung4 daai6 gaa1 wan1 zaap6 "Life in the UK Test" ge3 noi6 jung4

Today, we will be reviewing the content of the "Life in the UK Test".

官方公佈五大考試範圍，其中一個範圍呢，就係叫做《What is UK?》，呢個chapter嘅。

gun1 fong1 gung1 bou3 ng5 daai6 haau2 si3 faan6 wai4, kei4 zung1 jat1 go3 faan6 wai4 ne1, zau6 hai6 giu3 zou6 "What is UK?", ni1 go3 chapter ge3

The official announcement covers five major test areas, among which is the chapter called "What is UK?"

有睇開英國波嘅網友應該會知道英國總共有四支國家足球隊參加國際賽嘅，而英國本土呢，就係劃分為四個部分，包括England英格蘭、Scotland蘇格蘭、Wales威爾斯同埋北愛爾蘭Northern Ireland。

jau5 tai2 hoi1 jing1 gwok3 bo1 ge3 mong5 jau5 jing1 goi1 wui5 zi1 dou3 jing1 gwok3 zung2 gung6 jau5 sei3 zi1 gwok3 gaa1 zuk1 kau4 deoi2 caam1 gaa1 gwok3 zai3 coi3 ge3, ji4 jing1 gwok3 bun2 tou2 ne1, zau6 hai6 waak6 fan1 wai4 sei3 go3 bou6 fan6, baau1 kut3 England jing1 gaak3 laan4, Scotland sou1 gaak3 laan4, Wales wai1 ji5 si1 tung4 maai4 bak1 oi3 ji5 laan4 Northern Ireland

Netizens who follow British football should know that the UK has four national football teams participating in international competitions, and the UK itself is divided into four parts: England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.

至於Ireland愛爾蘭係另外一個國家嚟嘅，大家就唔好搞錯啦。

zi3 jyu1 Ireland oi3 ji5 laan4 hai6 ling6 ngoi6 jat1 go3 gwok3 gaa1 lai4 ge3, daai6 gaa1 zau6 m4 hou2 gaau2 co3 laa1

As for Ireland, it's a separate country, so don't get them mixed up.

英國嘅國家全名應該點樣叫先啱呢？

jing1 gwok3 ge3 gwok3 gaa1 cyun4 meng2 jing1 goi1 dim2 joeng2 giu3 sin1 ngaam1 ne1?

What is the correct full name to use for the United Kingdom?

係咪真係叫做Great Britain呀？大不列顛呀？

hai6 mai6 zan1 hai6 giu3 zou6 Great Britain aa3? daai6 bat1 lit6 din1 aa3?

Is it really called Great Britain?

答案係錯嘅。

daap3 ngon3 hai6 co3 ge3

That answer is incorrect.

Great Britain只係英格蘭、蘇格蘭同埋威爾斯。

Great Britain zi2 hai6 jing1 gaak3 laan4, sou1 gaak3 laan4 tung4 maai4 wai1 ji5 si1

Great Britain only refers to England, Scotland, and Wales.

英國國家嘅正確全名呢，應該係The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland。

jing1 gwok3 gwok3 gaa1 ge3 zing3 kok3 cyun4 meng2 ne1, jing1 goi1 hai6 The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

The correct full name of the UK is The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

除咗英國四個本土部分之外呢，仲有好多嘅地方同英國有關聯嘅，當中有皇家屬地the Channel Islands海峽群島，同埋the Isle of Man曼島。

ceoi4 zo2 jing1 gwok3 sei3 go3 bun2 tou2 bou6 fan6 zi1 ngoi6 ne1, zung6 jau5 hou2 do1 ge3 dei6 fong1 tung4 jing1 gwok3 jau5 gwaan1 lyun4 ge3, dong1 zung1 jau5 wong4 gaa1 suk6 dei6: the Channel Islands hoi2 haap6 kwan4 dou2, tung4 maai4 the Isle of Man maan6 dou2

Apart from the four constituent countries of the UK, there are many other places associated with the United Kingdom, including the Crown Dependencies: the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man.

皇家屬地唔係英國嘅一部分。

wong4 gaa1 suk6 dei6 m4 hai6 jing1 gwok3 ge3 jat1 bou6 fan6

The Crown Dependencies are not part of the UK.

皇家屬地有自己嘅民選議會，有自己嘅行政、財政、司法系統，而英女王係皇家屬地嘅元首。

wong4 gaa1 suk6 dei6 jau5 zi6 gei2 ge3 man4 syun2 ji5 wui2, jau5 zi6 gei2 ge3 hang4 zing3, coi4 zing3, si1 faat3 hai6 tung2, ji4 jing1 neoi5 wong4 hai6 wong4 gaa1 suk6 dei6 ge3 jyun4 sau2

The Crown Dependencies have their own elected legislatures, their own administrative, financial, and judicial systems, and the Queen serves as their head of state.

皇家屬地the Channel Islands係位於英國同法國之間嘅海峽。

wong4 gaa1 suk6 dei6 the Channel Islands hai6 wai6 jyu1 jing1 gwok3 tung4 faat3 gwok3 zi1 gaan1 ge3 hoi2 haap6

The Crown Dependency, the Channel Islands, are located in the English Channel between the UK and France.

當中呢，係包括咗好多個群島嘅。

dong1 zung1 ne1, hai6 baau1 kut3 zo2 hou2 do1 go3 kwan4 dou2 ge3

They comprise many groups of islands.

至於Isle of Man曼島係位於英格蘭同埋北愛爾蘭之間嘅島嶼。

zi3 jyu1 Isle of Man maan6 dou2 hai6 wai6 jyu1 jing1 gaak3 laan4 tung4 maai4 bak1 oi3 ji5 laan4 zi1 gaan1 ge3 dou2 zeoi6

As for the Isle of Man, it is an island located between England and Northern Ireland.

英國嘅海外領土British Overseas Territories其實有好多個嘅，但係官方嘅課本呢，只係提及St. Helena聖海倫娜同埋the Falkland Islands福克蘭群島兩個海外領土。

jing1 gwok3 ge3 hoi2 ngoi6 ling5 tou2 British Overseas Territories kei4 sat6 jau5 hou2 do1 go3 ge3, daan6 hai6 gun1 fong1 ge3 fo3 bun2 ne1, zi2 hai6 tai4 kap6 St. Helena sing3 hoi2 leon4 naa4 tung4 maai4 the Falkland Islands fuk1 hak1 laan4 kwan4 dou2, loeng5 go3 hoi2 ngoi6 ling5 tou2

The United Kingdom actually has many British Overseas Territories, but the official textbook only mentions St. Helena and the Falkland Islands, two Overseas Territories.

除咗呢兩個海外領土之外呢，其實有好多出名嘅小島，例如百慕達啦、開曼群島呢，同埋位處歐洲地中海出入口嘅直布羅陀，都係英國嘅海外領土嚟嘅。

ceoi4 zo2 ni1 loeng5 go3 hoi2 ngoi6 ling5 tou2 zi1 ngoi6 ne1, kei4 sat6 jau5 hou2 do1 ceot1 meng2 ge3 siu2 dou2, lai6 jyu4 baak3 mou6 daat6 laa1, hoi1 maan6 kwan4 dou2 ne1, tung4 maai4 wai6 cyu3 au1 zau1 dei6 zung1 hoi2 ceot1 jap6 hau2 ge3 zik6 bou3 lo4 to4, dou1 hai6 jing1 gwok3 ge3 hoi2 ngoi6 ling5 tou2 lai4 ge3

Apart from these two overseas territories, there are many famous islands such as Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, and Gibraltar, which is located at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea in Europe, which are all British Overseas Territories.

既然官方課本重點提到兩個英國海外領土，雖然考試唔會問到你咁詳細，問我哋呢，呢啲海外領土嘅具體位置，但係我哋都應該有個初步認識呢。

gei3 jin4 gun1 fong1 fo3 bun2 zung6 dim2 tai4 dou3 loeng5 go3 jing1 gwok3 hoi2 ngoi6 ling5 tou2, seoi1 jin4 haau2 si5 m4 wui2 man6 dou3 nei5 gam3 coeng4 sai3, man6 ngo5 dei6 ne1, ni1 di1 hoi2 ngoi6 ling5 tou2 ge3 geoi6 tai2 wai6 zi3, daan6 hai6 ngo5 dei6 dou1 jing1 goi1 jau5 go3 co1 bou6 jing6 sik1 ne1

Since the official textbook focuses on two British Overseas Territories, even though the exam won't ask you for detailed information about the specific locations of these overseas territories, we should still have a basic understanding.

St. Helena聖海倫娜，呢個海外領土呢，係一個大西洋嘅島嶼，離非洲西岸一千九百公里，離南美洲東岸呀，大約三千四百公里嘅。

St. Helena sing3 hoi2 leon4 naa4, ni1 go3 hoi2 ngoi6 ling5 tou2 ne1, hai6 jat1 go3 daai6 sai1 joeng4 ge3 dou2 zeoi6, lei4 fei1 zau1 sai1 ngon6 jat1 cin1 gau2 baak3 gung1 lei5, lei4 naam4 mei5 zau1 dung1 ngon6 aa3, daai6 joek3 saam1 cin1 sei3 baak3 gung1 lei5 ge3

St. Helena, this overseas territory, is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, 1,900 kilometres from the west coast of Africa, and approximately 3,400 kilometres from the east coast of South America.

另外一個英國海外領土the Falkland Islands福克蘭群島嘅主島呢，係位處南美洲巴塔哥尼亞南部海岸以東大約五百公里嘅海域。

ling6 ngoi6 jat1 go3 jing1 gwok3 hoi2 ngoi6 ling5 tou2 the Falkland Islands fuk1 hak1 laan4 kwan4 dou2 ge3 zyu2 dou2 ne1, hai6 wai6 cyu3 naam4 mei5 zau1 baa1 taap3 go1 nei4 aa3 naam4 bou6 hoi2 ngon6 ji5 dung1, daai6 joek3 ng5 baak3 gung1 lei5 ge3 hoi2 wik6

The main island of the other British Overseas Territory, the Falkland Islands, is located in waters approximately 500 kilometres east of the southern coast of Patagonia in South America.

福克蘭群島擁有自己內部嘅自治權，由英國負責佢嘅國防同埋外交事務。

fuk1 hak1 laan4 kwan4 dou2 jung2 jau5 zi6 gei2 noi6 bou6 ge3 zi6 zi6 kyun4, jau4 jing1 gwok3 fu6 zaak3 keoi5 ge3 gwok3 fong4 tung4 maai4 ngoi6 gaau1 si6 mou6

The Falkland Islands have their own internal autonomy, and the UK is responsible for their defence and foreign affairs.

英國嘅首都大家都知道係倫敦呀，而英國嘅國會Parliament位於倫敦西敏宮Palace of Westminster，而蘇格蘭、威爾斯、北愛爾蘭亦都有地方議會處理地方嘅事務嘅。

jing1 gwok3 ge3 sau2 dou1 daai6 gaa1 dou1 zi1 dou3 hai6 leon4 deon1 aa3, ji4 jing1 gwok3 ge3 gwok3 wui2 Parliament wai6 jyu1 leon4 deon1 sai1 man5 gung1 Palace of Westminster, ji4 sou1 gaak3 laan4, wai1 ji5 si1, bak1 oi3 ji5 laan4 jik6 dou1 jau5 dei6 fong1 ji5 wui2 cyu2 lei5 dei6 fong1 ge3 si6 mou6 ge3

Everyone knows that the capital of the UK is London, and the UK Parliament is located in the Palace of Westminster in London, and Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland also have local assemblies to handle local affairs.

同大家了解個Life in the UK， What is UK呢個chapter嘅內容之後呢，不如同大家一齊做四題練習題，睇下大家記唔記得學咗啲乜啦。

tung4 daai6 gaa1 liu5 gaai2 go3 Life in the UK, What is UK ni1 go3 chapter ge3 noi6 jung4 zi1 hau6 ne1, bat1 jyu4 tung4 daai6 gaa1 jat1 cai4 zou6 sei3 tai4 lin6 zaap6 tai4, tai2 haa5 daai6 gaa1 gei3 m4 gei3 dak1 hok6 zo2 di1 mat1 laa1

Now that we've understood the content of the "What is the UK" chapter of "Life in the UK," let's do four practice questions together to see if you remember what you've learned.

第一題，Which of the following is part of the UK？

dai6 jat1 tai4, Which of the following is part of the UK?

Question 1: Which of the following is part of the UK?

噉呢，就有四個答案俾大家揀，四揀一嘅the Channel Islands、Scotland、Australia、the Falkland Islands。

gam2 ne1, zau6 jau5 sei3 go3 daap3 ngon3 bei2 daai6 gaa1 gaan2, sei3 gaan2 jat1 ge3 the Channel Islands, Scotland, Australia, the Falkland Islands

So, there are four options to choose from: the Channel Islands, Scotland, Australia, the Falkland Islands.

呢題嘅答案好明顯係Scotland，因為the Channel Islands係皇家屬地，Australia澳洲只係英聯邦成員，而Falkland Islands就係Overseas Territories海外領土。

ni1 tai4 ge3 daap3 ngon3 hou2 ming4 hin2 hai6 Scotland, jan1 wai6 the Channel Islands hai6 wong4 gaa1 suk6 dei6, Australia ou3 zau1 zi2 hai6 jing1 lyun4 bong1 sing4 jyun4, ji4 Falkland Islands zau6 hai6 Overseas Territories hoi2 ngoi6 ling5 tou2

The answer is obviously Scotland, because the Channel Islands are Crown Dependencies, Australia is only a member of the British Commonwealth, and the Falkland Islands are Overseas Territories.

第二題呢，係Life in the UK Test嘅第二種形式嘅問題嚟嘅。

dai6 ji6 tai4 ne1 hai6 Life in the UK Test ge3 dai6 ji6 zung2 jing4 sik1 ge3 man6 tai4 lai4 ge3

Question 2 is the second type of question in the Life in the UK Test.

問題就係問Northern Ireland is part of Great Britain?

man6 tai4 zau6 hai6 man6 Northern Ireland is part of Great Britain?

The question asks: Northern Ireland is part of Great Britain?

噉大家研究下呢個statement係正確抑或錯誤呢？True or False？

gam2 daai6 gaa1 jin4 gau3 haa5 ni1 go3 statement hai6 zing3 kok3 jik1 waak6 co3 ng6 ne1? True or False?

So, let's consider whether this statement is true or false.

答案係False。

daap3 ngon3 hai6 False

The answer is False.

Great Britain呢，係指英格蘭、蘇格蘭同威爾斯，並未包括北愛爾蘭嘅。

Great Britain ne1 hai6 zi2 jing1 gaak3 laan4, sou1 gaak3 laan4, tung4 wai1 ji5 si1, bing6 mei6 baau1 kut3 bak1 oi3 ji5 laan4 ge3

Great Britain refers to England, Scotland, and Wales, and does not include Northern Irelan

第三題嘞，係Life in the UK Test嘅另外一種提問嘅方式，係要揀兩個答案嘅，喺四個答案裡面揀兩個。

dai6 saam1 tai4 laak3, hai6 Life in the UK Test ge3 ling6 ngoi6 jat1 zung2 tai4 man6 ge3 fong1 sik1 hai6 jiu3 gaan2 loeng5 go3 daap3 ngon3 ge3, hai2 sei3 go3 daap3 ngon3 leoi5 min6 gaan2 loeng5 go3

Question 3 is another type of question in the Life in the UK Test, which requires choosing two answers from four options.

問題就係Which two are British Overseas Territories？

man6 tai4 zau6 hai6 Which two are British Overseas Territories?

The question is: Which two are British Overseas Territories?

噉喺四個裡面呢，就揀兩個出嚟喇。

gam2 hai2 sei3 go3 leoi5 min6 ne1, zau6 gaan2 loeng5 go3 ceot1 lei4 laa3 

So, from the four options, let's pick out two.

答案係St. Helena同the Falkland Islands，因為呢，Isle of Man係皇家屬地，而South Africa南非呢，只係英聯邦其中一個成員國。

daap3 ngon3 hai6 St. Helena tung4 the Falkland Islands, jan1 wai6 ne1 Isle of Man hai6 wong4 gaa1 suk6 dei6, ji4 South Africa naam4 fei1 ne1, zi2 hai6 jing1 lyun4 bong1 kei4 zung1 jat1 go3 sing4 jyun4 gwok3

The answers are St. Helena and the Falkland Islands, because the Isle of Man is a Crown Dependency, and South Africa is only a member of the British Commonwealth.

第四題呢，亦都係Life in the UK Test裡面嘅其中一種問問題嘅方式，就係要喺兩個答案裡面呢，揀出其中一個正確嘅陳述，一個correct statement。

dai6 sei3 tai4 ne1, jik6 dou1 hai6 Life in the UK Test leoi5 min6 ge3 kei4 zung1 jat1 zung2 man6 man6 tai4 ge3 fong1 sik1, zau6 hai6 jiu3 hai2 loeng5 go3 daap3 ngon3 leoi5 min6 ne1, gaan2 ceot1 kei4 zung1 jat1 go3 zing3 kok3 ge3 can4 seot6, jat1 go3 correct statement

Question 4 is also one of the question types in the Life in the UK Test, which requires choosing the correct statement from two options.

答案係第二個statement先至係正確嘅。

daap3 ngon3 hai6 dai6 ji6 go3 statement sin1 zi3 hai6 zing3 kok3 ge3

The answer is that the second statement is correct.

The Isle of Man、the Channel Islands係皇家屬地，而福克蘭群島係英國海外領土。

The Isle of Man, the Channel Islands hai6 wong4 gaa1 suk6 dei6, ji4 fuk1 hak1 laan4 kwan4 dou2 hai6 jing1 gwok3 hoi2 ngoi6 ling5 tou2

The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are Crown Dependencies, and the Falkland Islands are a British Overseas Territory.

噉希望經過今日嘅練習呢，大家對Life in the UK Test嘅發問方式有一啲基本嘅了解。

gam2 hei1 mong6 ging1 gwo3 gam1 jat6 ge3 lin6 zaap6 ne1, daai6 gaa1 deoi3 Life in the UK Test ge3 faat3 man6 fong1 sik1 jau5 jat1 di1 gei1 bun2 ge3 liu5 gaai2

Well, I hope that through today's practice, you have a basic understanding of the question types in the Life in the UK Test.

多謝晒大家。

do1 ze6 saai3 daai6 gaa1

Thank you all very much.

McDull Just Wants His Lunch

Of course we have to include a clip from the McDull series. Great voice work from Anthony Wong (黃秋生) and Sandra Ng (吳君如) as always.

Vocabulary

The characters:

• 麥兜 mak6 dau1 McDull
• 麥太 mak6 taai2 Mrs. Mak
• 伙記 fo2 gei3 The Waiter

The food:

• 午餐 ng5 caan1 lunch
• 晚餐 maan5 caan1 dinner; supper
• 常餐 soeng4 caan1 regular/ordinary meal
• 快餐 faai3 caan1 fast food
• 特餐 dak6 caan1 special meal

The rest:

• 咁上下 gam3 soeng6 haa2 more or less; approximately
• 咪即係 mai6 ze1 hai6 it's obviously the case that... (also 咪即係 mai6 zik1 hai6)
• 賣晒 maai6 saai3 sold out
• 離譜 lei4 pou2 ridiculous
• 究竟 gau3 ging2 actually; in fact
• 日白日光 jat6 gwong1 jat6 baak6 in broad daylight (of something that doesn't usually happen in the daytime)
• 怕咗你 paa3 zo2 nei5 I give up / you've worn me down
• 快手 faai3 sau2 (nimble-handed; make quick work)
• 乜鬼嘢 mat1 gwai2 je5 what the hell? 

Dialogue

麥兜: 唔該，我要一個常餐啦。

m4 goi1, ngo5 jiu3 jat1 go3 soeng4 caan1 laa1

McDull: Excuse me, I'd like a Regular Set.

麥太: 常餐？常餐有咩食㗎？

soeng4 caan1? soeng4 caan1 jau5 me1 sik6 gaa3? 

Mrs. Mak: The Regular Set? What's in the Regular Set?

伙記: 同特餐一樣囉。

tung4 dak6 caan1 jat1 joeng6 lo4

Waiter: It's the same as the Special Set.

麥太: 噉特餐係咩嚟㗎？

gam2 dak6 caan1 hai6 me1 lei4 gaa3? 

Mrs. Mak: Then what's in the Special Set?

伙記: 同快餐咁上下囉。

tung4 faai3 caan1 gam3 soeng6 haa2 lo4

Waiter: It's kind of like the Fast Food Set.

麥太: 噉快餐又係咩嚟㗎？

gam2 faai3 caan1 jau6 hai6 me1 lei4 gaa3? 

Mrs. Mak: So, then what's in the Fast Food Set?

伙記: 唓⋯⋯快餐咪啫係午餐。

ce1... faai3 caan1 mai6 ze1 hai6 ng5 caan1

Waiter: Um... The Fast Food Set is the same as the Lunch Set.

麥太: 午餐食咩㗎？

ng5 caan1 sik6 me1 gaa3? 

Mrs. Mak: What's in the Lunch Set?

伙記: 午餐同晚餐一樣㗎。

ng5 caan1 tung4 maan5 caan1 jat1 joeng6 gaa3

Waiter: The Lunch Set is the same as the Dinner Set.

麥太: 噉晚餐又食啲咩呀？

gam2 maan5 caan1 jau6 sik6 di1 me1 aa3? 

Mrs. Mak: Then, what's in the Dinner Set?

伙記: 晚餐咪啫係常餐囉。

maan5 caan1 mai6 ze1 hai6 soeng4 caan1 lo1

Waiter: The Dinner Set is the same as the Regular Set.

麥太: 噉呀，我要兩個常餐呀。

gam2 aa3, ngo5 jiu3 loeng5 go3 soeng4 caan1 aa3

Mrs. Mak: Ok, I'll have two Regular Sets then.

伙記: 好嘢呀，我哋今日啲常餐。

hou2 je5 aa3, ngo5 dei6 gam1 jat6 di1 soeng4 caan1

Waiter: Great choice of our Regular Set for today.

伙記: 唔好意思，常餐賣晒噃。

m4 hou2 ji3 si1, soeng4 caan1 maai6 saai3 bo3

Waiter: I’m sorry, the Regular Sets are sold out. 

麥兜: mm⋯⋯噉改要特餐啦。

mm... gam2 goi2 jiu3 dak6 caan1 laa1

McDull: Um... Then I'll have the Special Set instead.

麥太: 特餐？特餐有咩食㗎？

dak6 caan1? dak6 caan1 jau5 me1 sik6 gaa3? 

Mrs. Mak: The Special Set? What's in the Special Set?

伙記: 特餐咪啫係午餐囉。

dak6 caan1 mai6 ze1 hai6 ng5 caan1 lo1

Waiter: The Special Set is the same as the Lunch Set.

麥太: 午餐食乜嘢㗎？

ng5 caan1 sik6 mat1 je5 gaa3? 

Mrs. Mak: What's in the Lunch Set?

伙記: 都係晚餐嗰啲嘢囉。

dou1 hai6 maan5 caan1 go2 di1 je5 lo1

Waiter: It's the same stuff as in the Dinner Set.

麥太: 噉乜嘢係晚餐呀？

gam2 mat1 je5 hai6 maan5 caan1 aa3? 

Mrs. Mak: So, what's in the Dinner Set?

伙記: 同快餐一樣囉。

tung4 faai3 caan1 jat1 joeng6 lo1

Waiter: It's the same as the Fast Food Set.

麥太: 噉快餐食咩㗎？

gam2 faai3 caan1 sik6 me1 gaa3? 

Mrs. Mak: And what's in the Fast Food Set?

伙記: 唉，快餐咪啫係常餐囉。

aai1, faai3 caan1 mat1 ze1 hai6 soeng4 caan1 lo1

Waiter: Well, the Fast Food Set is the same as the Regular Set.

麥太: 噉你頭先又話冇常餐？

gam2 nei5 tau4 sin1 jau6 waa6 mou5 soeng4 caan1?

Mrs. Mak: But you just said there were no Regular Sets?

伙記: 係呀，常餐係賣晒呀。噉你試唔試下特餐呀？

hai6 aa3, soeng4 caan1 hai6 maai6 saai3 aa3. gam2 nei5 si3 m4 si3 haa5 dak6 caan1 aa3? 

Waiter: Yes, the Regular Sets are sold out. So would you like to try the Special Set?

麥太: 兩份特餐呀。

loeng5 fan6 dak6 caan1 aa3

Mrs. Mak: Two Special Sets then.

伙記: 唔好意思，特餐賣晒噃。

m4 hou2 ji3 si1, dak6 caan1 maai6 saai3 bo3

Waiter: I’m sorry, the Special Sets are also sold out. 

麥兜: mm⋯⋯媽媽，不如改快餐呀？

mm... maa4 maa1, bat1 jyu4 goi2 faai3 caan1 aa3? 

McDull: Um... Mama, how about change to the Fast Food Set?

麥太: 快餐有咩㗎？

faai3 caan1 jau5 me1 gaa3?

Mrs. Mak: What's in the Fast Food Set?

伙記: 快餐啫係常餐。

faai3 caan1 ze1 hai6 soeng4 caan1

Waiter: The Fast Food Set is the same as the Regular Set.

麥太: 噉常餐有咩㗎？

gam2 soeng4 caan1 jau5 me1 gaa3? 

Mrs. Mak: So, what's in the Regular Set?

伙記:常餐咪啫係午餐囉。

soeng4 caan1 mai6 ze1 hai6 ng5 caan1 lo1 

Waiter: The Regular Set is the same as the Lunch Set.

麥太: 哎呀，噉午餐有咩食呀？

aai1 aa3, gam2 ng5 caan1 jau5 me1 sik6 aa3? 

Mrs. Mak: Jeez, then what's in the Lunch Set?

伙記: 午餐同晚餐一樣㗎。

ng5 caan1 tung4 maan5 caan1 jat1 joeng6 gaa3

Waiter: The Lunch Set is the same as the Dinner Set.

麥太: 噉晚餐呢？

gam2 maan5 caan1 ne1? 

Mrs. Mak: So, what about the Dinner Set?

伙記: 晚餐咪啫係特餐囉。

maan5 caan1 mai6 ze1 hai6 dak6 caan1 lo1

Waiter: The Dinner Set is the same as the Special Set.

麥太: 唓！噉你頭先又話冇特餐？

ce1! gam2 nei5 tau4 sin1 jau6 waa6 mou5 dak6 caan1?

Mrs. Mak: Huh! But you just said there were no Special Sets?

伙記: 係呀，特餐係賣晒呀。噉你試唔試下個快餐啦？一樣嘅啫。

hai6 aa3, dak6 caan1 hai6 maai6 saai3 aa3. gam2 nei5 si3 m4 si3 haa5 go3 faai3 caan1 laa1? jat1 joeng6 ge3 ze1

Waiter: Yes, the Special Sets are sold out. So, would you like to try the Fast Food Set? It's the same thing anyway.

麥太: 噉兩份快餐呀。

gam2 loeng5 fan6 faai3 caan1 aa3

Mrs. Mak: Two Fast Food Sets then.

伙記: 唔好意思，冇快餐呀。

m4 hou2 ji3 si1, mou5 faai3 caan1 aa3

Waiter: I’m sorry, we don't have the Fast Food Set either. 

麥太: 離唔離譜啲呀。噉你哋究竟有啲咩餐呀？

lei4 m4 lei4 pou2 di1 aa3. gam2 nei5 dei6 gau3 ging2 jau5 di1 me1 caan1 aa3? 

Mrs. Mak: This is ridiculous. So, what kind of sets do you actually have?

伙記: 午餐啦。午餐好嘢呀。

ng5 caan1 laa1. ng5 caan1 hou2 je5 aa3

Waiter: We have the Lunch Set. The Lunch Set is good.

麥太: 點好嘢法呀？

dim2 hou2 je5 faat3 aa3? 

Mrs. Mak: What's so good about it?

伙記: 同晚餐一樣咁好嘢。

tung4 maan5 caan1 jat1 joeng6 gam3 hou2 je5

Waiter: It's just as good as the Dinner Set.

麥太: 噉晚餐又點好嘢法呀？

gam2 maan5 caan1 jau6 dim2 hou2 je5 faat3 aa3? 

Mrs. Mak: Then what's so good about the Dinner Set?

伙記: 同常餐一樣咁好嘢囉。

tung4 soeng4 caan1 jat1 joeng6 gam3 hou2 je5 lo1

Waiter: It's just as good as the Regular Set. 

麥太: 噉常餐又點好嘢法呀？

gam2 soeng4 caan1 jau6 dim2 hou2 je5 faat3 aa3? 

Mrs. Mak: And what's so good about the Regular Set?

伙記: 常餐，常餐一早賣晒啦。你話好唔好嘢呀？

soeng4 caan1, soeng4 caan1 jat1 zou2 maai6 saai3 laa1. nei5 waa6 hou2 m4 hou2 je5 aa3? 

Waiter: The Regular Set… the Regular Sets are sold out already. How about it, is it okay?

⋯⋯

麥太: 好喇！好喇！要兩份午餐啦！

hou2 laa3! hou2 laa3! jiu3 loeng5 fan6 ng5 caan1 laa1!

Mrs. Mak: Okay! Okay! Two Lunch Sets then!

伙記: 唔好意思，午餐賣晒，試唔試下我哋嘅晚餐啦？一樣嘅啫。

m4 hou2 ji3 si1, ng5 caan1 maai6 saai3. si3 m4 si3 haa5 ngo5 dei6 ge3 maan5 caan1 laa1? jat1 joeng6 ge3 ze1

Waiter: I’m sorry, the Lunch Set is sold out. Would you like to try the Dinner Set? It's the same anyway.

麥太: 日光日白，食乜鬼嘢晚餐呀？

jat6 gwong1 jat6 baak6, sik6 mat1 gwai2 je5 maan5 caan1 aa3? 

Mrs. Mak: In broad daylight? What the hell is the point of having the Dinner Set?

伙記: 唉，個名叫晚餐啫，其實唔係啫係午餐。

aai1, go3 meng2 giu3 maan5 caan1 ze1, kei4 sat6 m4 hai6 ze1 hai6 ng5 caan1

Waiter: Well, it's just called the Dinner Set, but it's actually the same as the Lunch Set.

麥太: 好喇！好喇！怕咗你喇！要兩份晚餐呀，快啲手呀！

hou2 laa3! hou2 laa3! paa3 zo2 nei5 laa3! jiu3 loeng5 fan6 maan5 caan1 aa3, faai3 di1 sau2 aa3!

Mrs. Mak: Okay! Okay! I give up! Two dinner sets then, and make it fast!

伙記: 想快？想快就要快餐呀。

soeng2 faai3? soeng2 faai3 zau6 jiu3 faai3 caan1 aa3

Waiter: You want it fast? If you want it fast, you should get the Fast Food Set.

⋯⋯

Typhoon Reporter Loses Their Shoes

Let's flashback to a classic TVB news report on Typhoon Molave (2009) where the fearless reporter even lost his shoes in the line of duty.

Vocabulary

• 凌晨 ling4 san4 early morning
• 風勢 fung1 sai3 wind force
• 姿勢 zi1 sai3 posture
• 借助 ze3 zo6 to get help
• 風力 fung1 lik6 wind power; wind force
• 披頭散髮 pei1 tau4 saan2 faat3 having disheveled hair
• 見證 gin3 zing3 witness
• 擔遮  daam1 ze1 to hold an umbrella
• 追風 zeoi1 fung1 chasing the wind
• 發燒友 faat3 siu1 jau2 fan; enthusiast
• 烈風 lit6 fung1 gale; strong wind
• 送貨工人 sung3 fo3 gung1 jan4 delivery workers
• 通宵 tung1 siu1 all night; through the night
• 惡劣 ok3 lyut3 vile; nasty
• 企唔穩 kei5 m4 wan2 unstable
• 企得穩 kei5 dak1 wan2 able to stand firmly
• 吹走 ceoi1 zau2 blown away
• 傾斜 king1 ce4 tilted; slope; incline; lean
• 紮馬 zaat3 maa5 to take a stance; anchor oneself; prepare for a fight
• 西環 sai1 waan4 Sai Wan; Western District, Hong Kong
• 水位 seoi2 wai6  water level
• 急漲 gap1 zoeng3 rapidly rising
• 風向 fung1 hoeng3 wind direction
• 風速 fung1 cuk1 wind speed
• 無綫電視 mou4 sin3 din6 si6 Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) 
• 潘蔚林 pun1 wai3 lam4  reporter's name (William Pun Wai Lam)

Dialogue

喺尖沙咀碼頭，凌晨一兩點風勢最犀利。

hai2 zim1 saa1 zeoi2 maa5 tau4 ling4 san4 jat1 loeng5 dim2 fung1 sai3 zeoi3 sai1 lei6

At Tsim Sha Tsui Pier, the wind was strongest around one or two in the morning.

企都企唔穩，不過佢哋就好興奮。

kei5 dou1 kei5 m4 wan2, bat1 gwo3 keoi5 dei6 zau6 hou2 hing1 fan5

They could barely stand up, but they were very excited.

平時做唔到嘅姿勢，借助風力就做得㗎喇。

ping4 si4 zou6 m4 dou2 ge3 zi1 sai3, ze3 zo6 fung1 lik6 zau6 zou6 dak1 gaa3 laa3

With the help of the wind, they could strike poses that would normally be impossible.

吹到披頭散髮，影張相做見證先。

ceoi1 dou3 pei1 tau4 saan3 faat3, jing2 zoeng1 soeng1 zou6 gin3 zing3 sin1

Their hair was blown into a mess, so they took a photo as proof.

不過擔遮似乎多餘咗啲喎。

bat1 gwo3 daam1 ze1 ci5 fu4 do1 jyu4 zo2 di1 wo3

But it seems like there is not much point in carrying an umbrella.

到底啲風有幾勁呢？呢兩個大學生話你知。

dou3 dai2 di1 fung1 jau5 gei2 ging6 ne1? ni1 loeng5 go3 daai6 hok6 saang1 waa6 nei5 zi1

Just how strong was the wind? These two university students will tell you.

「我哋去喺呢度追風喇，呀，因為我哋係嗰啲颱風呢發燒友嘅人。」

"ngo5 dei6 heoi3 hai2 ni1 dou6 zeoi1 fung1 laa3, aa3, jan1 wai6 ngo5 dei6 hai6 go2 di1 toi4 fung1 ne1 faat3 siu1 jau5 ge3 jan4"

"We came here to chase the wind, uh, because we're typhoon enthusiasts."

「六十五呀!」

luk6 sap6 ng5 aa1!

"65km/h!"

「六十五點七! 我哋啱啱錄到烈風⋯⋯」

luk6 sap6 ng5 dim2 cat1! ngo5 dei6 ngaam1 ngaam1 luk6 dou2 lit6 fung1...

"65.7km/h! We just recorded gale-force winds..."

「烈風，烈風程度啱啱⋯⋯」

lit6 fung1, lit6 fung1 cing4 dou6 ngaam1 ngaam1...

"Gale-force winds, just now..."

有送貨工人要通宵送貨，但係難度十足。

jau5 sung3 fo3 gung1 jan4 jiu3 tung1 siu1 sung3 fo3, daan6 hai6 naan4 dou6 sap6 zuk1

Meanwhile, some delivery workers have to work through the night, but it is extremely difficult.

我相信呢，唔使我講你都見到呢，而家出面情況好惡，好惡劣㗎。

ngo5 soeng1 seon3 ne1, m4 sai2 ngo5 gong2 nei5 dou1 gin3 dou2 ne1, ji4 gaa1 ceot1 min6 cing4 fong3 hou2 ok3, hou2 ok3 lyut3 gaa3

I believe you can see for yourself without me saying anything, the situation outside right now is nasty, very nasty.

噉呢，基本上而家我係企唔穩呀。

gam2 ne1, gei1 bun2 soeng5 ji4 gaa1 ngo5 hai6 kei5 m4 wan2 aa3

So basically, right now I can barely stand up straight.

噉呀，滴雨打塊面度係好似針咁痛㗎。

gam2 aa3, dik1 jyu5 daa2 faai3 min6 dou6 hai6 hou2 ci5 zam1 gam3 tung3 gaa3

And, the raindrops hitting my face feel as painful as needle pricks.

啱啱呢，我對鞋都被大風呢，吹走咗喇。

ngaam1 ngaam1 ne1, ngo5 deoi3 haai4 dou1 bei6 daai6 fung1 ne1, ceoi1 zau2 zo2 laa3

Just now, the wind blew my shoes away.

噉我身呢，要向前傾斜啦，或者紮馬喇，先至可以企得穩。

gam2 ngo5 san1 ne1, jiu3 hoeng3 cin4 king1 ce4 laa1, waak6 ze2 zaat3 maa5 laa3, sin1 zi3 ho2 ji5 kei5 dak1 wan2

So, I have to lean forward, or get into a horse stance, in order to keep my balance.

而喺西環，水位急漲，亦都有市民嚟記錄風向同風速。

ji4 hai2 sai1 waan4 seoi2 wai2 gap1 zoeng3, jik6 dou1 jau5 si5 man4 lai4 gei3 luk6 fung1 hoeng3 tung4 fung1 cuk1

Over in Western District, the water level rose rapidly, and some residents came to record the wind direction and speed.

無綫電視記者潘蔚林報道。

mou4 sin3 din6 si6 gei3 ze2 pun1 wai3 lam4 bou3 dou6

This is Pun Wai Lam reporting for TVB.

Old Movie Names

Let's learn about how some old movies got their English and Chinese names...

Vocabulary

• 雞腸 gai1 coeng2 chicken intestine; the English language (or any foreign language with a 'chicken scratch' script)
• 名單 ming4 daan1 list of names; roster
• 瞄準 miu4 zeon2 aimed at; targeting
• 海外華人 hoi2 ngoi6 waa4 jan4 overseas Chinese
• 電檢 din6 gim2 film censorship
• 上映 soeng5 jing2 screen a movie
• 直譯 zik6 jik6 literal translation
• 貂 diu1 sable; marten
• 蟬 sim4 cicada
• 單詞 daan1 ci4 word; single word
• 音譯 jam1 jik6 transliteration
• 拼音 ping3 jam1 Romanization; Pinyin
• 放映 fong3 jing2 project a film
• 意譯 ji3 jik6 translation (of meaning, not literally); paraphrase
• 情節 cing4 zit3 plot; storyline
• 劇情 kek6 cing4 plot; storyline
• 擺烏龍 baai2 wu1 lung2 a mistake; mix-up; score an own goal
• 宣傳資料 syun1 cyun4 zi1 liu2 promotional materials
• 烏垂垂 wu1 soe2 soe4 puzzled; perplexed; muddle-headed
• 執導 zap1 dou6 direct a movie
• 導演 dou6 jin2  film director
• 荷里活 ho4 lei5 wut6 Hollywood
• 千絲萬縷 cin1 si1 maan6 leoi5 (or lau5) intricate relationship (idiom); many links
• 講故事 gong2 gu3 si6 tell a story; storytelling
• 傳奇 cyun4 kei4 (or zyun6 kei4) legend; legendary
• 英雄事跡 jing1 hung4 si6 zik1 heroic deeds
• 關連 gwaan1 lin4 related; connected
• 充滿趣味 cung1 mun5 ceoi3 mei6 full of interest; intriguing
• 意頭 ji3 tau4 good omen; auspicious sign
• 賀歲片 ho6 seoi3 pin2 Chinese New Year themed film
• 劇作 kek6 zok3 dramatic work
• 稍有不同 saau2 jau5 bat1 tung4 slightly different; not quite the same
• 大團圓結局 daai6 tyun4 jyun4 git3 guk6 happy ending
• 故事發展 gu3 si6 faat3 zin2 plot development
• 吻合 man5 hap6 to be a good fit; fit in nicely with
• 無厘頭 mou4 lei4 tau4 nonsensical; absurd; lit. "without a head"
• 文豪 man4 hou4 literary giant; great writer
• 巧妙 haau2 miu6 clever; ingenious
• 總括 zung2 kut3 summarize; sum up
• 調皮 tiu3 pei4 mischievous; naughty
• 一匹布咁長 jat1 pat1 bou3 gam3 coeng4 very long (of stories, etc.); lit. "as long as a piece of cloth")

Films:

• 貂蟬 diu1 sim4 "Diao Chan" (character in "The Romance of the Three Kingdoms") a.k.a. "Sable Cicada"
• 珍珠淚 zan1 zyu1 leoi6 "Tears of Pearl" a.k.a. "Jan Gee Louie"
• 疑雲疑雨 ji4 wan4 ji4 jyu5 "Jealousy and Suspicion" a.k.a. "Yee Wan Yee Yue"
• 夕陽 zik6 joeng4 "The Setting Sun" a.k.a. "Beauty Contest"  
• 今古西廂 gam1 gu2 sai1 soeng1 "The West Chamber Then and Now" a.k.a. "History Repeats Itself"
• 情人四萬萬 cing4 jan4 sei3 maan6 maan6 "Lover of the World" a.k.a. "400,000,000 Lovers"
• 黃飛鴻 wong4 fei1 hung4 "Once Upon a Time in China" a.k.a. "Wong Fei-hung"
• 家有囍事 gaa1 jau5 hei2 si6 "All's Well End's Well"

People:

• 何思穎  ho4 si1 wing6 Sam Ho (Hong Kong film expert)
• 徐克 ceoi4 hak1 Tsui Hark (film director)
• 沙治奧里昂尼 saa1 zi6 ou3 lei5 ngong4 nei4 Sergio Leone (film director)
• 莎士比亞 saa1 si6 bei2 aa3 William Shakespeare (playwright)

Dialogue

喺三十年代，香港人接觸教育嘅機會唔多。

hai2 saam1 sap6 nin4 doi6, hoeng1 gong2 jan4 zip3 zuk1 gaau3 juk6 ge3 gei1 wui6 m4 do1

In the 1930s, Hong Kong people had limited access to education. 

真係雞腸外文唔識多個嗰陣，香港電影就已經有中英文戲名同工作人員名單。

zan1 hai6 gai1 coeng2 ngoi6 man4 m4 sik1 do1 go3 go2 zan6, hoeng1 gong2 din6 jing2 zau6 ji5 ging1 jau5 zung1 jing1 man2 hei3 meng4 tung4 gung1 zok3 jan4 jyun4 ming4 daan1

They didn't really know much English at that time, but Hong Kong films already had Chinese and English titles and movie credits.

香港市場細，當時好多電影公司瞄準海外華人市場。

hoeng1 gong2 si5 coeng4 sai3, dong1 si4 hou2 do1 din6 jing2 gung1 si1 miu4 zeon2 hoi2 ngoi6 waa4 jan4 si5 coeng4

The Hong Kong market was small, and many film companies at that time targeted the overseas Chinese market.

為咗喺外國過電檢同上映，好多電影唔單只有英文戲名，仲有英文字幕添。

wai4 zo2 hai2 ngoi6 gwok3 gwo3 din6 gim2 tung4 soeng5 jing2, hou2 do1 din6 jing2 m4 daan1 zi2 jau5 jing1 man2 hei3 meng4, zung6 jau5 jing1 man2 zi6 mok6 tim1

In order to pass foreign film censors and be screened abroad, many films not only had English titles but also English subtitles.

初期嘅英文戲名一般都係直譯。

co1 kei4 ge3 jing1 man2 hei3 meng4 jat1 bun1 dou1 hai6 zik6 jik6

In the early days, English movie titles were generally direct translations.

比較有趣嘅係一九三八年上映嘅《貂蟬》，佢嘅英文戲名係《Sable Cicada》。

bei2 gaau3 jau5 ceoi3 ge3 hai6 jat1 gau2 saam1 baat3 nin4 soeng5 jing2 ge3 "diu1 sim4", keoi5 ge3 jing1 man2 hei3 meng4 hai6 "Sable Cicada”

One relatively interesting example is the 1938 film "Diao Chan" which had the English title "Sable Cicada".

Sable就係「貂」，Cicada就係「蟬」，呢兩個英文單詞組合而成。

Sable zau6 hai6 "diu1", Cicada zau6 hai6 "sim4", ni1 loeng5 go3 jing1 man2 daan1 ci4 zou2 hap6 ji4 sing4

"Sable" is '貂' (diāo) and "Cicada" is '蟬' (chán), and these two English words were combined together.

但有時都會出現一啲利用音譯即係拼音嘅英文戲名。

daan6 jau5 si4 dou1 wui5 ceot1 jin6 jat1 di1 lei6 jung6 jam1 jik6 zik1 hai6 ping3 jam1 ge3 jing1 man2 hei3 meng4

But sometimes there were English movie titles that used phonetic transcription, i.e., Pinyin.

就好似分別喺一九三九年上映嘅《珍珠淚》同一九四零年上映嘅《疑雲疑雨》。

zau6 hou2 ci5 fan1 bit6 hai2 jat1 gau2 saam1 gau2 nin4 soeng5 jing2 ge3 "zan1 zyu1 leoi6" tung4 jat1 gau2 sei3 ling4 nin4 soeng5 jing2 ge3 "ji4 wan4 ji4 jyu5"

For example, the 1939 film "Tears of Pearl" and the 1940 film "Jealousy and Suspicion".

根據喺New York State Archives搵到嘅資料，佢哋喺美國申請放映時用嘅英文片名分別係《Jan Gee Louie》、《Yee Wan Yee Yue》。

gan1 geoi3 hai2 New York State Archives wan2 dou2 ge3 zi1 liu2, keoi5 dei6 hai2 mei5 gwok3 san1 cing2 fong3 jing2 si4 jung6 ge3 jing1 man2 pin2 meng4 fan1 bit6 hai6 "Jan Gee Louie", "Yee Wan Yee Yue"

According to information found in the New York State Archives, their English titles used when applying for screening in the United States were "Jan Gee Louie" and "Yee Wan Yee Yue" respectively.

當時其實都有意譯嘅英文戲名，即係根據中文戲名嘅意思或者電影情節翻譯而成。

dong1 si4 kei4 sat6 dou1 jau5 ji3 jik6 ge3 jing1 man2 hei3 meng4, zik1 hai6 gan1 geoi3 zung1 man2 hei3 meng4 ge3 ji3 si1 waak6 ze2 din6 jing2 cing4 zit3 faan1 jik6 ji4 sing4

At that time, there were also English movie titles that were translated according to the meaning of the Chinese title or the film's plot.

就好似一九三四年上映嘅《夕陽》，呢部電影喺美國申請放映時用嘅英文名係《Beauty Contest》，同埋一九三七年上映嘅《今古西廂》，佢喺美國申請放映時用嘅英文名係《History Repeats Itself》。

zau6 hou2 ci5 jat1 gau2 saam1 sei3 nin4 soeng5 jing2 ge3 "zik6 joeng4", ni1 bou6 din6 jing2 hai2 mei5 gwok3 san1 cing2 fong3 jing2 si4 jung6 ge3 jing1 man2 meng4 hai6 "Beauty Contest", tung4 maai4 jat1 gau2 saam1 cat1 nin4 soeng5 jing2 ge3 "gam1 gu2 sai1 soeng1", keoi5 hai2 mei5 gwok3 san1 cing2 fong3 jing2 si4 jung6 ge3 jing1 man2 meng4 hai6 "History Repeats Itself"

For example, "The Setting Sun", which was released in 1934, had the English title "Beauty Contest" when it applied for screening in the United States, and "The West Chamber Then and Now", which was released in 1937, had the English title "History Repeats Itself" for its US screening application.

睇返部片嘅內容就了解到佢哋嘅英文戲名係以電影劇情而命名。

tai2 faan1 bou6 pin2 ge3 noi6 jung4 zau6 liu5 gaai2 dou2 keoi5 dei6 ge3 jing1 man2 hei3 meng4 hai6 ji5 din6 jing2 kek6 cing4 ji4 ming6 ming4

If you watch the films again, you will see that their English titles were named based on their plots.

想當年都有啲「擺烏龍」嘅例子㗎。

soeng2 dong1 nin4 dou1 jau5 di1 "baai2 wu1 lung4" ge3 lai6 zi2 gaa3

Back then, there were some examples of 'own goals' in translation.

就好似一九四一年上映嘅《情人四萬萬》。

zau6 hou2 ci5 jat1 gau2 sei3 jat1 nin4 soeng5 jing2 ge3  "cing4 jan4 sei3 maan6 maan6"

For example, the 1941 film "Lover of the World".

根據當年嘅宣傳資料，英文名係《400,000,000 Lovers》。

gan1 geoi3 dong1 nin4 ge3 syun1 cyun4 zi1 liu2, jing1 man2 meng4 hai6 "400,000,000 Lovers"

According to the promotional materials of the time, its English title was "400,000,000 Lovers".

當時「四萬萬」其實解作「全部中國人」，但係佢嘅英文戲名就以數字直譯為《四億愛人》。

dong1 si4 "sei3 maan6 maan6" kei4 sat6 gaai2 zok3 "cyun4 bou6 zung1 gwok3 jan4", daan6 hai6 keoi5 ge3 jing1 man2 hei3 meng4 zau6 ji5 sou3 zi6 zik6 jik6 wai4 sei3 jik1 ngoi3 jan4

At that time, the phrase "400,000,000" actually referred to "all Chinese people", but its English movie title directly translated it numerically as "400,000,000 Lovers".

外國人睇完肯定都烏垂垂呢！

ngoi6 gwok3 jan4 tai2 jyun4 hang2 ding6 dou1 wu1 soe2 soe4 ne1! 

Foreign viewers who watched it must have been very confused!

講咗咁多舊時嘅電影，不如講下兩套九十年代經典港產片呀？

gong2 zo2 gam3 do1 gau6 si4 ge3 din6 jing2, bat1 jyu4 gong2 haa5 loeng5 tou3 gau2 sap6 nin4 doi6 ging1 din2 gong2 caan2 pin2 aa1? 

Having talked about so many old films, how about we talk about two classic Hong Kong films from the 1990s?

以下呢兩齣電影，大家又知唔知佢嘅英文譯名係咩呀？

ji5 haa6 ni1 loeng5 ceot1 din6 jing2, daai6 gaa1 jau6 zi1 m4 zi1 keoi5 ge3 jing1 man2 jik6 meng4 hai6 me1 aa3? 

For the following two films, do you know what their English translations are?

不如等我交俾何思穎先生同大家講解下喇⋯⋯

bat1 jyu4 dang2 ngo5 gaau1 bei2 ho4 si1 wing6 sin1 saang1 tung4 daai6 gaa1 gong2 gaai2 haa5 laa3...

Let me hand over to Mr. Sam Ho to explain to everyone...

一九九一年由徐克執導嘅《黃飛鴻》英文片名《Once Upon a Time in China》令人聯想到意大利導演沙治奧里昂尼 (Sergio Leone) 嘅《Once Upon a Time in the West》同埋《Once Upon a Time in America》。

jat1 gau2 gau2 jat1 nin4 jau4 ceoi4 hak1 zap1 dou6 ge3 "wong4 fei1 hung4" jing1 man2 pin2 meng4 "Once Upon a Time in China" ling6 jan4 lyun4 soeng2 dou2 ji3 daai6 lei6 dou6 jin2 saa1 zi6 ou3 lei5 ngong4 nei4  (Sergio Leone) ge3 "Once Upon a Time in the West" tung4 maai4 "Once Upon a Time in America"

The 1991 film "Wong Fei Hung", directed by Tsui Hark, had the English title "Once Upon a Time in China" which evokes associations with Italian director Sergio Leone's "Once Upon a Time in the West" and "Once Upon a Time in America".

可以睇到電影與西方荷里活，甚至日本電影有千絲萬縷嘅關係。

ho2 ji5 tai2 dou2 din6 jing2 jyu5 sai1 fong1 ho4 lei5 wut6, sam6 zi3 jat6 bun2 din6 jing2 jau5 cin1 si1 maan6 leoi5 ge3 gwaan1 hai6

One can see that this film has many connections with Hollywood, and even with Japanese cinema.

而用傳統講故事嘅開首句既強調黃飛鴻嘅傳奇色彩，亦將佢嘅英雄事跡同埋中國歷史嘅關連帶出嚟，充滿趣味。

ji4 jung6 cyun4 tung2 gong2 gu3 si6 ge3 hoi1 sau2 geoi3 gei3 koeng4 diu6 wong4 fei1 hung4 ge3 cyun4 kei4 sik1 coi2, jik6 zoeng1 keoi5 ge3 jing1 hung4 si6 zik1, tung4 maai4 zung1 gwok3 lik6 si2 ge3 gwaan1 lin4 daai3 ceot1 lai4, cung1 mun5 ceoi3 mei6

The opening sentence uses a traditional storytelling technique which emphasizes both the legendary nature of Wong Fei-hung and brings out the connection between his heroic deeds and Chinese history, which is full of interest.

一九九二年上映嘅《家有囍事》，英文片名係《All's Well, End's Well》，意頭好好，非常適合賀歲片。

jat1 gau2 gau2 ji6 nin4 soeng5 jing2 ge3 "gaa1 jau5 hei2 si6" jing1 man2 pin2 meng4 hai6 "All's Well, End's Well", ji3 tau4 hou2 hou2, fei1 soeng4 sik1 hap6 ho6 seoi3 pin2

The 1992 film "家有囍事" had the English title "All's Well, End's Well", which is very auspicious and perfect for a Chinese New Year film.

但其實呢個英文片名係出自莎士比亞嘅劇作，但稍有不同，《All's Well *That* Ends Well》。

daan6 kei4 sat6 ni1 go3 jing1 man2 pin2 meng4 hai6 ceot1 zi6 saa1 si6 bei2 aa3 ge3 kek6 zok3, daan6 saau2 jau5 bat1 tung4 "All's Well *That* Ends Well"

However, this English title actually originates from a play by Shakespeare, but with a slight difference: "All's Well *That* Ends Well".

意思係雖然過程有好多阻滯，但係總算有大團圓結局，同《家有囍事》嘅故事發展，與賀歲片「好意頭」嘅意義好吻合。

ji3 si1 hai6 seoi1 jin4 gwo3 cing4 jau5 hou2 do1 zo2 zai6, daan6 hai6 zung2 syun3 jau5 daai6 tyun4 jyun4 git3 guk6, tung4 "gaa1 jau5 hei2 si6" ge3 gu3 si6 faat3 zin2, jyu5 ho6 seoi3 pin2 "hou2 ji3 tau4" ge3 ji3 ji6 hou2 man5 hap6

Its meaning is that although there are many obstacles along the way, there is ultimately a happy ending, which is very consistent with the storyline of "All's Well End's Well" and the 'auspicious' meanings found in Chinese New Year films.

所以《家有囍事》雖然內容搞笑「無厘頭」，但英文名來自英國大文豪。

so2 ji5 "gaa1 jau5 hei2 si6" seoi1 jin4 noi6 jung4 gaau2 siu3 "mou4 lei4 tau4", daan6 jing1 man2 meng4 loi4 zi6 jing1 gwok3 daai6 man4 hou4

Therefore, despite the funny, absurd and nonsensical nature of the content, the English title of "All’s Well End’s Well" comes from a great British writer.

好巧妙以幾個字總括成個古仔，聰明之餘亦十分調皮。

hou2 haau2 miu6 ji5 gei2 go3 zi6 zung2 kut3 seng4 go3 gu2 zai2, cung1 ming4 zi1 jyu4 jik6 sap6 fan1 tiu3 pei4

It cleverly summarizes the whole story in a few words, which is not only smart but also very playful.

舊時嘅嘢真係一匹布咁長呀！

gau6 si4 ge3 je5 zan1 hai6 jat1 pat1 bou3 gam3 coeng4 aa3! 

There are lots of long stories to tell about the old days!

今集時間又差唔多喇，拜拜。

gam1 zaap6 si4 gaan3 jau6 caa1 m4 do1 laa3, baai1 baai3 

But the time for this episode is nearly up, goodbye.