Bun mui
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"Bun Mui" (賓妹) is a Cantonese slang which many Hong Kong locals use when referring to a Filipino domestic worker. A large number of Filipino women work as domestic servants in Hong Kong. Perhaps most of their Chinese employers call their maids "Bun Mui". It is applied to all Filipinas regardless of age or social status.
Some people take offense at the phrase and consider it a racial slur. It is a combination of two Chinese characters: 'Bun' which is short for 'Fei Lut Bun' (Philippines in Cantonese), and 'Mui', meaning 'young sister' when used to refer to a family relationship, but is degrading when used to refer to a helper because 'Mui' here means 'insignificant girl' or a lowly servant.
[edit] Related Terms
“Bun Bun” (賓賓) sounds friendly but it is not much different from Bun Mui.
“Maria” (瑪麗亞) is a name to typify a Filipino Domestic helper. It is usually pronounced by what people think is a Philippine accent but in actuality is a Westernized accent (the Philippine pronunciation is 'Mar-YAH'. The Western pronunciation is 'Ma-REE-yah'). The intent is more to make fun of a helper than just a name. Similar to Bun Bun. (Maria is a popular extra name for females in the Philippines).
“Fei Yung” (菲傭) is the older version of the official name for Filipino domestic helpers, 'Fei' coming from 'Fei Lut Bun' (see above), and 'Yung' meaning a house-hold domestic servant. This term is more politically correct and sometimes the preferred term to use to refer to Filipino domestic worker.
“Ka Yung” (家傭) is the proper and respectable name for domestic worker of all nationalities. 'Ka' means 'Home'.
“Bun Po” (賓婆) refers to a Philippines woman or domestic helper. 'Po' usually means an elderly woman but here it means a negligible, insignificant or unattractive woman and has obvious intent of disrespect. Bun Mui is used for younger helpers and Bun Po is for older helpers, while 'Bun Po' is the most impolite or disrespectful way to refer to a Philippine domestic worker.
“Bun Lo” (賓佬) refers to Filipino men. The word "Lo" most often refers to an unsophisticated or a lower-class male in society.
