Did you know that the famous line 今晚打老虎(“Tonight we fight the tiger”) from Stephen Chow’s movie *God of Gamblers Part III: Back to Shanghai* (1991) is actually inspired by the French greeting “Comment allez-vous?”? Although the film never explains the meaning behind it, the phrase’s humor and mystery have made it a collective memory for fans of Hong Kong cinema, and it also opens a small window connecting audiences to French culture. In this article, we’ll explore the French origins of「今晚打老虎」( “Tonight we fight the tiger”) and provide you with practical French greeting lessons!
What Does 今晚打老虎 “Tonight We Fight the Tiger” Mean?
「今晚打老虎」(“Tonight we fight the tiger”) is the “French name” of the gambler protagonist, Ah Sing (played by Stephen Chow), in the classic 1991 Hong Kong film God of Gamblers Part III. In the movie, Ah Sing reads the biography of the legendary French gambler Pierre Cashon and discovers that this top gambler was ultimately defeated by a mysterious figure named「今晚打老虎」. Later, when Ah Sing battles a gambler with supernatural powers, he unexpectedly travels back in time to 1937 Shanghai. During this period, Ah Sing asks his friend Wu Chuntian (played by Sandra Ng) to come up with a French name for him, and she casually replies, 「今晚打老虎」. Toward the end of the film, Ah Sing plans to help Ding Lik win a gambling match against Kawashima Yoshiko, only to find that his opponent has changed to the French gambler Pierre Cashon. Remembering the biography he read, Ah Sing announces he will call on「今晚打老虎」for help — to which Ding Lik replies that he himself is「今晚打老虎」!
Humorous Cantonese Phonetic Translation of a French Greeting
Actually, 「今晚打老虎」(“Tonight we fight the tiger”) is a humorous Cantonese phonetic play on the French greeting“Comment allez-vous?” Although the pronunciations bear some resemblance, they are not identical; if used directly as French, most French speakers probably would not understand it. However, this playful “phonetic translation” in the film creatively links Hong Kong cinema with French culture, becoming a unique cultural symbol.
Meaning and Usage of “Comment allez-vous?”
- Literal meaning：
“Comment”= “how”
“allez”= second-person plural present tense of the verb aller (to go)
“vous”= formal “you” or plural “you”
The whole phrase means “How are you?” or “How are you doing?”
- Appropriate occasions:
- Formal contexts such as business meetings or official interviews
- When speaking to someone for the first time, to elders, or when showing respect
How to Respond to “Comment allez-vous?”
| French Phrase | English Meaning |
| Je vais bien, merci. Et vous ? | I am fine, thank you. And you? |
| Ça va bien, merci. | I’m good, thank you. |
| Très bien, merci. | Very well, thank you. |
| Pas mal, merci. | Not bad, thank you. |
| Comme ci, comme ça. | So-so / okay. |
| Je ne vais pas très bien. | I’m not very well. |
Other Common French Greetings
| French Expression | Usage Context | English Meaning |
| Ça va ? | Casual, informal | How are you? / Are you okay? |
| Comment ça va ? | Casual, more informal | How are you? |
| Salut ! | Informal, among friends | Hi! |
| Bonjour ! | Formal and informal | Hello / Good morning |
| Bonsoir ! | Used in the evening | Good evening / Good night |
| Quoi de neuf ? | Informal | What’s new? |
| Comment tu vas ? | Informal, familiar | How are you doing? |
Tip: When talking to friends or acquaintances, “Ça va?” is enough. Using “Comment allez-vous?” can sound too formal! (More:French Learning Tips/French Vocabulary）
God of Gamblers Part III: Back to Shanghai Movie Information
- Release Year: 1991
- Genre: Comedy
- Cast: Stephen Chow, Gong Li, Ray Lui Leung Wai, Richard Ng Man-tat, Charles Heung, Sandra Ng
- Plot Summary: Ah Sing (Stephen Chow), a gambler, travels back to 1937 Shanghai, confronts his family history, and strives to return to 1991.
- Where to Watch:Netflix page
Want to Learn More Practical French Expressions?
Whether you’re a beginner or want to improve your spoken French, we collaborate with experienced French teachers in Hong Kong and overseas. We offer free referrals to private tutors who fit your needs, with flexible schedules to suit your lifestyle — making learning French easy and fun!
Contact us now to inquire about trial lessons!
Get more French learning resources and information about French culture!
