Cantonese phrasebook

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Cantonese is a widely spoken dialect of Chinese, especially in the former British colony of Hong Kong and by the ethnic minorities in other countries.

While Cantonese speakers do read and write in formally written Mandarin Chinese characters, the spoken languages of both dialects are, for most purposes, mutually unintelligible and will require translation. While the Chinese consider that they only have a single language, there are major regional dialectal differences that would be considered to be separate languages in other parts of the world. In many cases the regional dialects are not clearly regionalised but vary gradually across a region. Thus linguists can identify anywhere between seven and seventeen separate Chinese languages where the speakers of different dialects are mutually unintelligible.

Some of the phrases in the list cannot be translated from English to Cantonese.

Pronunciation guide

Vowels

Consonants

Common diphthongs

Phrase list

"Ng" means no or not in Cantonese. It is not pronouced as Eng. When you say this word, your mouth does not open.

Basics

Hello: Way

NOTE: "Way" is not a polite way to address strangers. You can simply say "How are you" (see below) or "Hello" (in English) in Hong Kong or to overseas Cantonese-speakers.

Hello: Way (informal See note above).
How are you?: Lee Ho Ma?
Fine, thank you.: Butt Chor. No need to say "thank you" in Cantonese
What is your name?: Lee Gill Mut Man?
My name is ______ .: Or Qua Man Gill ______ .
Nice to meet you.: Ho Ko Hing Ying Sic Lee.
Please.: Ching .
Thank you. ("after someone does something for you"): Ng Coil .
Thank you. ("when someone gives you a gift"): doh jeh.
You're welcome.: Ng Sai Hart Hei.
Yes.: Heigh.
No.: Ng Heigh.
Excuse me. (getting attention): Ma Fang Lee. For American English Speakers: Fang should be pronounced as F'ang
Excuse me. (begging pardon): Ng Ho Yee See.
I'm sorry.: Dui Ng Chu.
Goodbye: Joy Kin.
I can't speak name of language well.: Or Ng Heigh Ho Sic Kong "name of language"
Do you speak English?: Ching Mon Lee Sic Ng Sic Kong Ying Mun?
Is there someone here who speaks English?: Ching Mon Yao Mo Yan Kong Ying Mun?
Help!: Kao Man Ar!
Look out!: Siu Sum!
Good morning.: Joe Sun.
Good evening.: Moun On . "Good evening" is not commonly used to greet someone in the evening.
Good night.: Moun On.
Good night (to sleep): "Moun On" or "Cho Tao".
I don't understand.: Or Ng Ming Pa.
Where is the toilet?: Chi Saw Heigh Bin Dou?

Problems

Leave me alone.: Mai Gao Ngo / Mai Cho Ngo.
Don't touch me!: Mai Dim Ngo!
I'll call the police.: Ngo Wui Giu Ging Chat.
Police!: Ging Chat!
Stop! Thief!: Mai Yuk! Chart Jai!
I need your help.: Ng Goi Bong Ha Ngo.
It's an emergency.: Ho Gun Gap.
I'm lost.: Ngo Dong Sat Low.
I lost my bag.: Ngo Ng Geen Jor Gor Doi.
I dropped my wallet.: Ngo Ng Geen Jor Arn Bao.
I'm sick.: Ngo Ng Shue Fuk.
I've been injured.: Ngo Sau Jor Seung.
Please call a doctor.: Ng Goi Bong Ngo Giu Yee Sang
Can I use your phone?: Ngo Seung Je Din Wa.

Numbers

Time

Clock time

Duration

Days

Months

Writing time and date

Colors

Transportation

Bus and train

Directions

Taxi

Lodging

Money

Eating

Bars

Shopping

Driving

Authority

Learning more

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Ooaj Travel Guide, tourism, hotel reservation, residence, plane, cheap pension for you

Free Travel guide Ooaj.com A free travel guide for holidays. Easy phrasebook to learn cantonese Bed and Breakfast!