Migrants to the UK: 13 Common English Phrases Hong Kongers Misuse with Britons, Leading to Serious Misunderstandings

The video introduces the topic of common English phrases used by Hong Kong people that are misunderstood by British natives. It emphasizes that while many Hong Kong immigrants in the UK can manage basic English, certain expressions can lead to awkward situations or misinterpretations. This is especially crucial during job interviews or B1 English tests, where precise communication is essential.

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The first common mistake discussed is using 'open the light' and 'close the light'. While Hong Kongers directly translate 'turn on' and 'turn off' as 'open' and 'close', British English uses 'turn on' or 'switch on' for lights and 'turn off' or 'switch off' for turning them off. Using 'open the light' can imply the light is broken and needs physical opening for repair, leading to confusion.

The second common error is asking to 'borrow the toilet'. In Chinese, 'borrow the toilet for a moment' is a common polite phrase, but in English, 'borrow' implies taking something home. A Briton hearing this might think you want to physically take their toilet. The correct way is to ask 'Where is the toilet?' or 'May I use your toilet?'

The third misunderstanding arises from inviting someone 'for tea'. In Hong Kong, 'tea' often refers to afternoon tea or snacks. However, in British English, 'tea' can refer to the evening meal (dinner). Inviting someone 'for tea' might lead them to believe you're inviting them for a full dinner, potentially with their entire family, when you only intended to offer a cup of tea and a snack. To avoid this, specify 'a cup of tea' or 'afternoon tea'.

The fourth point warns against using 'Go first' as a polite gesture. While intended to show courtesy in Hong Kong culture, in English, it can sound like a direct command or even an insincere challenge. British people typically use 'After you' to politely offer someone to go ahead, implying 'I will go after you'.

The discussion moves to the importance of intonation and tone in English. Hong Kong speakers often have a flat intonation, which can make them unintentionally sound rude or aggressive to native English speakers. English relies heavily on intonation to convey politeness, questions, or commands. A neutral tone can be misinterpreted as lacking emotion or even rudeness.

The fifth common mistake is using 'I am coming'. While intended to mean 'I will arrive soon' or 'I am on my way', in English, 'I am coming' can refer to reaching an orgasm, which is highly inappropriate in general conversations. Instead, use 'I am on my way' or 'I'll be there soon'.

Similar to 'I am coming', using 'I am easy' to express being relaxed or flexible is problematic. In English, 'easy' when referring to a person, especially a woman, can imply being promiscuous or easily persuaded for sexual encounters. It's advisable to use phrases like 'I'm flexible' or 'I'm adaptable'.

The seventh point addresses the use of 'cheap'. While in Chinese, 'cheap' (平) can refer to something being a good bargain or inexpensive, in English, 'cheap' often carries a negative connotation, implying poor quality or being stingy. Instead, use 'affordable', 'good value for money', or 'inexpensive'.

The common greeting 'Have you eaten yet?' in Chinese, used to show care, is not a typical greeting in British culture. Asking this in English can be perceived as unusual, potentially making the other person wonder why you're asking or if you intend to offer them food. It’s better to use standard greetings like 'How are you?'.

In a professional context, using 'I will follow you' to mean 'I will follow up' on instructions or a task is incorrect. 'I will follow you' literally means to physically follow someone. The correct term for monitoring or progressing a task is 'follow up' or 'follow through'.

The tenth point highlights the overuse of 'actually'. While used as a filler or to introduce a point in Cantonese ('其實'), in English, 'actually' can imply contradiction, correction, or skepticism. Using it frequently can unintentionally make you sound confrontational or challenging. Alternatives include 'honestly', 'in my opinion', or simply stating your point without an introductory word.

The video explains how to respond to the common British greeting 'You alright?'. Many Hong Kongers, understanding 'alright' as 'okay', might respond with a flat 'Fine' or 'Okay'. However, in British English, a blunt 'Fine' can convey that you are not fine, or that you don't want to talk. The recommended response is an enthusiastic 'I'm good, and you?' to show genuine engagement and politeness.

Saying 'I don't understand' can be misinterpreted as blaming the speaker for being unclear rather than admitting your own difficulty. It can sound impolite and accusatory. Instead, it's better to say 'Sorry, could you repeat that?' or 'Could you explain that again?' to convey that you're asking for clarification respectfully.

The final piece of advice is to avoid asking 'What do you want?'. While a direct translation of a common Cantonese question, in English, it sounds abrupt, demanding, and highly impolite, especially in customer service or formal settings. Appropriate alternatives include 'How can I help you?', 'What would you like?', or 'What can I get for you?'.