Greetings & goodbyes
| Cantonese | Jyutping | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 你好 | nei5 hou2 | hello | |
| 早晨 | zou2 san4 | good morning | before noon |
| 再見 | zoi3 gin3 | goodbye | |
| 拜拜 | baai1 baai3 | bye-bye | casual |
| 遲啲見 | ci4 di1 gin3 | see you later | |
| 好耐冇見 | hou2 noi6 mou5 gin3 | long time no see | |
| 你點呀? | nei5 dim2 aa3 | how's it going? | casual |
| 幾好呀 | gei2 hou2 aa3 | pretty good! |
Please, thank you, sorry
| Cantonese | Jyutping | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 唔該 | m4 goi1 | please / excuse me / thanks (for a service) | Use at shops & restaurants constantly |
| 多謝 | do1 ze6 | thank you (for a gift or compliment) | |
| 唔使多謝 | m4 sai2 do1 ze6 | you're welcome / no need to thank | |
| 唔好意思 | m4 hou2 ji3 si1 | sorry / excuse me | for small inconveniences |
| 對唔住 | deoi3 m4 zyu6 | I'm sorry | stronger apology |
| 唔緊要 | m4 gan2 jiu3 | it doesn't matter / it's okay | |
| 麻煩你 | maa4 faan4 nei5 | sorry to trouble you / thank you for doing |
Introducing yourself
我叫阿明
Pronunciation ngo5 giu3 aa3 ming4
my name is Ah Ming (or: I am called ___)
你叫咩名?
Pronunciation nei5 giu3 me1 meng2
what's your name?
我係美國人
Pronunciation ngo5 hai6 mei5 gwok3 jan4
I'm American
Swap in your own country: 英國人 British, 澳洲人 Australian…
你係邊度人呀?
Pronunciation nei5 hai6 bin1 dou6 jan4 aa3
where are you from?
我識少少廣東話
Pronunciation ngo5 sik1 siu2 siu2 gwong2 dung1 waa2
I know a little Cantonese
你講唔講英文?
Pronunciation nei5 gong2 m4 gong2 jing1 man2
do you speak English?
Everyday exchanges
| Cantonese | Jyutping | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 食咗飯未呀? | sik6 zo2 faan6 mei6 aa3 | have you eaten yet? | the classic HK greeting! |
| 食咗喇 | sik6 zo2 laa3 | yeah, I've eaten | |
| 得閒 | dak1 haan4 | free / available | 得閒飲茶 = yum cha when free |
| 唔得閒 | m4 dak1 haan4 | busy / not free | |
| 冇問題 | mou5 man6 tai4 | no problem | |
| 唔知 | m4 zi1 | I don't know | |
| 明白 | ming4 baak6 | I understand | |
| 唔明 | m4 ming4 | I don't get it | |
| 慢慢嚟 | maan6 maan6 lai4 | take your time / slowly | |
| 加油 | gaa1 jau4 | go for it! / keep it up! | literally "add oil" |
Reacting naturally
| Cantonese | Jyutping | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 係呀 | hai6 aa3 | yeah / that's right | |
| 真係咩? | zan1 hai6 me1 | really? | beginner go-to |
| 真係㗎咩? | zan1 hai6 gaa3 me1 | really?! | stacked particles — stronger surprise |
| 梗係啦 | gang2 hai6 laa1 | of course! | |
| 好喎 | hou2 wo3 | nice! (unexpectedly good) | 喎 = pleasant surprise |
| 好呀 | hou2 aa3 | sure / sounds good | |
| 唔好 | m4 hou2 | no / don't | |
| 得 | dak1 | OK / that works / can | |
| 唔得 | m4 dak1 | no can do / not allowed | |
| 隨便啦 | ceoi4 bin6 laa1 | whatever / up to you |
When you didn't catch it
咩話?
Pronunciation me1 waa2
what? / pardon?
唔該再講一次
Pronunciation m4 goi1 zoi3 gong2 jat1 ci3
please say it again
慢啲講
Pronunciation maan6 di1 gong2
speak slower please
我聽唔明
Pronunciation ngo5 teng1 m4 ming4
I didn't understand
廣東話點講?
Pronunciation gwong2 dung1 waa2 dim2 gong2
how do you say it in Cantonese?
Mini practice
A waiter pours your tea. 唔該 or 多謝?
唔該 (m4 goi1) — it's a service. 多謝 is for gifts and compliments.
How do you greet someone before noon?
早晨 (zou2 san4) — "good morning".
What does 食咗飯未呀 literally ask?
"Have you eaten yet?" — it's a classic everyday greeting, not a dinner invitation.
How do you say "I don't understand" in the moment?
我聽唔明 (ngo5 teng1 m4 ming4) or just 唔明 (m4 ming4).
得閒 vs 唔得閒?
得閒 = free/available (得閒飲茶 = "let's do yum cha sometime"), 唔得閒 = busy.
