外國遊客問：Why do Hong Kong people say 'aiya' so often?

'Aiya' (哎呀) is a Cantonese interjection expressing surprise, frustration, or realization. It's similar to 'oops' or 'oh no' in English. Hong Kongers use it constantly—in a day, you might hear it 50 times. For example, if someone drops their phone, they'll say '哎呀！' If they forget something, '哎呀，唔記得咗！' It can also express mild annoyance: '哎呀，又塞車！' The tone matters—a high-pitched 'aiya' means surprise, while a low, drawn-out one means frustration. It's a versatile, essential part of Hong Kong communication.