Learn Cantonese 1

LEARN CANTONESE 1
DIALOGUES AND VOCABULARY
by
ELIZABETH LATIMORE BOYLE, PAULINE NG DELBRIDGE
BRIAN KING
HANYU PRESS
TORONTO
This work is licensed under the

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike
3.0 Unported License.
To view a copy of this license,
visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/
or send a letter to
Creative Commons,
171 Second Street, Suite 300,
San Francisco,
California, 94105,
USA.
Hanyu Press
238-1170 Bay St
Toronto, ON M5S 2B4
CANADA
http://www.hanyu.com
isbn: 978-1-897367-19-3
Printed in the United States of America
Table of Contents
1 Good Morning.........................................................................................................................................9
Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................11
Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................13
dialogue 1.1.....................................................................................................................................13
Good Morning, Mr Ho............................................................................................................... 13
dialogue 1.2.....................................................................................................................................14
Good Morning, Mr Chan........................................................................................................... 14
dialogue 1.3.....................................................................................................................................14
Good Morning, Miss Chan........................................................................................................ 14
dialogue 1.4.....................................................................................................................................15
Good Morning, Miss Cheung.....................................................................................................15
dialogue 1.5.....................................................................................................................................15
Good Morning, Mr Ho............................................................................................................... 15
dialogue 1.6.....................................................................................................................................16
Good Morning, Mr Cheung....................................................................................................... 16
dialogue 1.7.....................................................................................................................................17
Good Morning, Miss Chan........................................................................................................ 17
2 What's your name?................................................................................................................................ 19
Vocabulary ..........................................................................................................................................21
Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................24
dialogue 2.1.....................................................................................................................................24
What's your name, miss? (polite)...............................................................................................24
dialogue 2.2.....................................................................................................................................24
What's your name? (informal)....................................................................................................25
3 Do you speak Mandarin?.......................................................................................................................27
Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................29
Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................31
dialogue 3.1.....................................................................................................................................31
Does Mr Lee speak Japanese?................................................................................................... 31
dialogue 3.2.....................................................................................................................................32
Do you speak Mandarin?........................................................................................................... 32
dialogue 3.3.....................................................................................................................................33
Who are you teaching Cantonese to?......................................................................................... 33
4 What time is it?..................................................................................................................................... 35
Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................37
Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................39
dialogue 4.1.....................................................................................................................................39
Your watch is ten minutes slow................................................................................................. 39
dialogue 4.2.....................................................................................................................................40
My watch is 5 minutes fast........................................................................................................ 40
dialogue 4.3.....................................................................................................................................40
What time is it, Mr Wong?........................................................................................................ 40
5 What would you like to drink?............................................................................................................43
Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................45
Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................47
dialogue 5.1 ....................................................................................................................................47

Tea or coffee?.............................................................................................................................47
dialogue 5.2.....................................................................................................................................48
Have some tea. .......................................................................................................................... 48
dialogue 5.3.....................................................................................................................................49
What time will you be having dinner, then?.............................................................................. 49
6 How much are the pants?...................................................................................................................... 51
Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................53
Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................55
dialogue 6.1.....................................................................................................................................55
I'd like to buy some pants...........................................................................................................55
dialogue 6.2.....................................................................................................................................55
Is this shirt $24?......................................................................................................................... 55
dialogue 6.3.....................................................................................................................................56
This one is only $20................................................................................................................... 56
7 I'd like to buy some... ........................................................................................................................... 59
Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................61
Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................63
dialogue 7.1.....................................................................................................................................63
I'd like to buy some beer............................................................................................................ 63
dialogue 7.2.....................................................................................................................................64
How much is this cloth a yard?..................................................................................................64
dialogue 7.3.....................................................................................................................................64
I'd like to buy some pork............................................................................................................64
8 What size do you take?......................................................................................................................... 67
Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................69
Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................71
dialogue 8.1.....................................................................................................................................71
Is it for you?............................................................................................................................... 71
dialogue 8.2.....................................................................................................................................72
Do you have anything cheaper? ................................................................................................ 72
dialogue 8.3.....................................................................................................................................73
What size do you take? ............................................................................................................. 73
dialogue 8.4.....................................................................................................................................74
I don't need that much! ..............................................................................................................74
9 Who would you like to speak to?..........................................................................................................77
Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................79
Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................81
dialogue 9.1.....................................................................................................................................81
I'd like to speak to Mrs Ho......................................................................................................... 81
dialogue 9.2.....................................................................................................................................82
I'm sorry, he's gone out...............................................................................................................82
dialogue 9.3.....................................................................................................................................83
He's gone to the office................................................................................................................83
10 Talking about location.........................................................................................................................85
Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................87
Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................89
dialogue 10.1...................................................................................................................................89
Is your office on the Hong Kong side?...................................................................................... 89
dialogue 10.2...................................................................................................................................90
Where did you buy that sweater?............................................................................................... 90
dialogue 10.3...................................................................................................................................90
Do you know where the Mandarin Hotel is?............................................................................. 90
11 Doing things for others........................................................................................................................93
Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................95
Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................97
dialogue 11.1...................................................................................................................................97
Just a moment - I'll go get some change. .................................................................................. 97
dialogue 11.2...................................................................................................................................98
How would you like that? ......................................................................................................... 98
dialogue 11.3...................................................................................................................................99
I'm really sorry...I forgot. ...........................................................................................................99
12 Talking about immediate plans ........................................................................................................ 101
Vocabulary.........................................................................................................................................103
Dialogues...........................................................................................................................................105
dialogue 12.1.................................................................................................................................105
What's the problem? ..............................................................................................................105
dialogue 12.2.................................................................................................................................106
Off home, then?....................................................................................................................... 106
dialogue 12.3.................................................................................................................................107
I'm going shopping...................................................................................................................107
13 Going places......................................................................................................................................109
Vocabulary.........................................................................................................................................111
Dialogues...........................................................................................................................................113
dialogue 13.1.................................................................................................................................113
Hey, isn't that your friend in that black car behind us?............................................................ 113
dialogue 13.2.................................................................................................................................114
Who are you having Yam Cha with?....................................................................................... 114
dialogue 13.3.................................................................................................................................115
Excuse me, is this Queen's Road Central?............................................................................... 115
dialogue 13.4.................................................................................................................................116
524 Nathan Road, please. ........................................................................................................116
14 Eating at a restaurant......................................................................................................................... 119
Vocabulary.........................................................................................................................................121
Dialogues...........................................................................................................................................123
dialogue 14.1. ...............................................................................................................................123
Miss Lee! So, where are you off to?........................................................................................ 123
dialogue 14.2. ...............................................................................................................................125
What kind of soup would you like?......................................................................................... 125
dialogue 14.3. ...............................................................................................................................127
What kind of food do you like to eat?......................................................................................127
dialogue 14.4.................................................................................................................................128
It's nearly 12:30 - let's have lunch!...........................................................................................128
15 Asking directions.............................................................................................................................. 131
Vocabulary.........................................................................................................................................133
Dialogues...........................................................................................................................................135
dialogue 15.1.................................................................................................................................135
How do I get there?.................................................................................................................. 135
dialogue 15.2.................................................................................................................................136
Which department does she work in? ..................................................................................... 136
dialogue 15.3.................................................................................................................................137
Excuse me, is Mr Wong at home?........................................................................................... 137
dialogue 15.4.................................................................................................................................138
Who's teaching you Cantonese these days?............................................................................. 138
GLOSSARY...........................................................................................................................................141
CANTONESE - ENGLISH............................................................................................................... 143
1 Good Morning
LEARN CANTONESE
Vocabulary
1. a
sentence suffix
2. Chhn
Chan
3. Deuimhjyuh
sorry
4. haih
is, am, are, were, etc.
5. Hh
Ho (surname)
6. hohksang
student
7. Jung
Cheung
8. Joigin
Goodbye
9. Jushn
Good morning
10. Luh
Lu
11. Lih
Li
12. Mh
Ma
13. mh-
not
14. mhgnyiu
That's all right; It doesn't matter; Never

mind.
15. ngh
I, me, my
16. Sang
Mr.
17. snsang
man (see notes); teacher
18. Snsang
Mr. (see notes)
19. sing
have the surname
20. suj
unmarried woman; woman, lady
21. Suj
Miss
22. Tai
Mrs.
23. taaitai
married woman (see notes)
24. Taaitai
Mrs. (see notes)
25. Whng
Wong
11
LEARN CANTONESE
Dialogues
dialogue 1.1
Good Morning, Mr Ho.
A:
B:
A:
B:
, ,
A:
B:
A:
A:
Hh Sang, jushn.
B:
Lih Tai, jushn.
A:
Deuimhjyuh, ngh mhhaih Lih Tai. Ngh sing Chhn.
B:
A, deuimhjyuh, Chhn Suj.
A:
Mhgnyiu.
B:
Joigin.
A:
Joigin.
A:
Good morning, Mr Ho.
B:
Good morning, Mrs Lee.
A:
Excuse me, I'm not Mrs. Lee. My name is Chan.
B:
Oh, excuse me, Miss Chan.
A:
That's all right.
B:
Goodbye.
A:
Goodbye.
13
LEARN CANTONESE
dialogue 1.2
Good Morning, Mr Chan.
A:
B:
A:
, ,
B:
A:
Chhn Sang, jushn.
B:
Deuimhjyuh, ngh mhhaih Chhn Sang. Ngh sing Jung.
B:
A, deuimhjyuh, Jung Sang.
A:
Mhgnyiu.
A:
Good morning, Mr Chan.
B:
Excuse me, I'm not Mr. Chan. My name is Cheung.
B:
Oh, excuse me, Mr Cheung.
A:
That's all right.
dialogue 1.3
Good Morning, Miss Chan.
A:
B:
A:
, ,
B:
A:
Chhn Suj, jushn.
B:
Deuimhjyuh, ngh mhhaih Chhn Suj. Ngh sing Whng .
B:
A, deuimhjyuh, Whng Suj.
14
LEARN CANTONESE
A:
Mhgnyiu.
A:
Good morning, Miss Chan.
B:
Excuse me, I'm not Miss Chan. My name is Wong.
B:
Oh, excuse me, Miss Wong.
A:
That's all right.
dialogue 1.4
Good Morning, Miss Cheung.
A:
B:
A:
, ,
B:
A:
Jung Suj jushn.
B:
Deuimhjyu, ngh mhhaih Jung Suj. Ngh sing Lih.
A:
A, deuimhjyuh, Lih Suj.
B:
Mhgnyiu.
A:
Good morning, Miss Cheung.
B:
Excuse me, I'm not Miss Cheung. My name is Lee.
B:
Oh, excuse me, Miss Lee.
A:
That's all right.
dialogue 1.5
Good Morning, Mr Ho.
A:
,
15
LEARN CANTONESE
B:
A:
, ,
B:
A:
Hh Sang jushn.
B:
Deuimhjyuh, ngh mhhaih Hh Sang. Ngh sing Whng.
A:
A, deuimhjyuh, Whng Sang.
B:
Mhgnyiu.
A:
Good morning, Mr Ho.
B:
Excuse me, I'm not Mr Ho. My name is Wong.
B:
Oh, excuse me, Mr Wong.
A:
That's all right.
dialogue 1.6
Good Morning, Mr Cheung.
A:
B:
A:
, ,
B:
A:
Jung Sang jushn.
B:
Deuimhjyuh, ngh mhhaih Jung Sang. Ngh sing Lih.
A:
A, deuimhjyuh, Lih Sang.
B:
Mhgnyiu.
A:
Good morning, Mr Cheung.
B:
Excuse me, I'm not Mr Cheung. My name is Lee.
B:
Oh, excuse me, Mr Lee.
A:
That's all right.
16
LEARN CANTONESE
dialogue 1.7
Good Morning, Miss Chan.

A:
B:
A:
, ,
B:
A:
Chhn Suj jushn.
B:
Deuimhjyuh, ngh mhhaih Chhn Suj. Ngh sing Luh.
A:
A, deuimhjyuh, Luh Suj.
B:
Mhgnyiu.
A:
Good morning, Miss Chan
B:
Excuse me, I'm not Miss Chan. My name is Lau.
B:
Oh, excuse me, Miss Lau.
A:
That's all right.
17
2 What's your name?
LEARN CANTONESE
Vocabulary
1. Snsang
Mr.
2. gwaising?
What's your (sur)name? (polite)
3. a
final particle
4. Ngh sing Whng
My (sur)name is Wong
5. Whng Suj
Miss Wong
6. n?
final particle roughly equiv. to "and

what about?". Also used to soften a
question.
7. Snsang n?
And you, sir?
8. susing
My (sur)name is...(polite)
9. susing Luh
My (sur)name is Lau
10. Luh Sang
Mr. Lau
11. mtyh?/myh?/
What?
What's (your, his etc)
myh?
12. sing myh a?
(sur)name (informal)
13. phngyuh
friend
14. nih
you
15. nih phngyuh
your friend
16. nih phngyuh
What's your friend's name?
17. Mh
Ma (surname)
18. sing Mh
to have the surname Ma
19. ge
grammatical focus marker similar to
sing myh?
Mandarin "de"
20. sing Mh ge
to be (sur)named Ma
21. kuih
he
22. kuih sing Mh ge
he is named Ma
23. Gwngdng
Guangdong (Canton)
21
LEARN CANTONESE
24. yhn
man, person
25. Gwngdngyhn
Cantonese (person)
26. haih mhhaih ya?
isn't it?
27. kuih haih mhhaih
Is he Cantonese?
Gwngdngyhn n?
28. Seuhnghi
Shanghai
29. Seuhnghiyhn
Shanghainese (person)
30. mhhaih ya, kuih
No, he's Shanghainese
31. gm
so; then
32. gm, nih n?
, ?
so, how about you?
33. du
too; also
34. du haih Seuhnghiyhn
to be a Shanghainese too
35. ngh du haih
I'm Shanghainese too
36. Jnggwokyhn
Chinese (person)
37. Mihgwokyhn
American (person)
38. nghdeih
we
39. kuihdeih
they
40. nihdeih
you (plur)
41. Tihsanyhn
Taishanese (person)
42. Yahtbnyhn
Japanese (person)
43. Ynggwokyhn
English (person)
44. hohksang
student
45. snsang
teacher
haih Seuhnghiyhn
Seuhnghiyhn
22
LEARN CANTONESE
Dialogues
dialogue 2.1
What's your name, miss? (polite)

Man :
Woman:
Man :
Woman:
? ?
Man :
Man :
Suj gwaising a?
Woman:
Ngh sing Chhn. Snsang gwaising a?
Man :
Susing Hh. Chhn suj haih mhhaih Gwngdngyhn a?
Woman:
Mhhaih a. Ngh haih Seuhnghiyhn. Nih n?

Nih haih mhhaih Mihgwokyhn a?
Man :
Haih a. Ngh haih Mihgwokyhn.
Man:
What's your name, Miss?
Woman:
Chan. And yours, Sir?
Man:
Ho. Are you from Guangdong?
Woman:
No, I'm from Shanghai. How about you?

Are you American?
Man:
Yes, I am.
dialogue 2.2
24
LEARN CANTONESE
What's your name? (informal)
S1:
S2:
S1:
S2:
S1:
S2:
S1:
S2:
S1:
Nih sing myh a?
S2:
Ngh sing Whng.
S1:
Nih phngyuh n?
S2:
Kuih du haih sing Whng ge.
S1:
Nih haih mhhaih Gwngdngyhn a?
S2:
Haih.
S1:
Nih phngyuh haih mhhaih du haih Gwngdngyhn a?
S2:
hhaih a. Kuih haih Seuhnghiyhn.
S1:
So, what's your name?
S2:
Wong.
S1:
And your friend?
S2:
His name's Wong, too.
S1:
Are you from Guangdong?
S2:
Yes.
S1:
Is your friend from Guangdong, too?
S2:
No, he's from Shanghai.
25
3 Do you speak Mandarin?
LEARN CANTONESE
Vocabulary
1. bngo
who?
2. chi
time, occasion
3. chngch
clear
4. daahnhaih
but
5. d
a little, some
6. dm?
how?
7. du
both
8. gaau
teach
9. ga/ge/g
sen. suf. for matter of fact assertion
10. geui
sentence
11. gng
speak
12. Gwokyh
Mandarin spoken language
13. Gwngdngw
Cantonese spoken language
14. hohk
study, learn
15. j
sen. suf. only, merely; that's all
16. j(dou)
know (something)
17. joi
again
18. joi gng ytchi
Say it again.
19. Jngmhn
Chinese (written) language
20. m
particle indicating surprise
21. mhgi nih
Please..., Would you please....
22. gh
five
23. sam
three
24. s
write
25. ssu
a little
26. sei
four
27. Seuhnghiw
Shanghainese (spoken language)
28. sung
wish to, want to, would like to
29
LEARN CANTONESE
29. sk
to know someone
30. sk
know how (to do something)
31. tng
hear, listen
32. Tihsanw
Toishan dialect
33. thng
and (connects nouns)
34. w
spoken language, dialect
35. Yahtbnw
Japanese (spoken) language
36. Yahtmn
Japanese (written) language
37. Yahtmhn
38. yt
one
39. yt chi
once [onetime]
40. yauh
also (connects Verb Phrases)
41. yauh V, yauh V. P Adv:
...
both..., and ....
42. yih
two
43. Yngmhn
English language
44. Yngmn
English language
30
LEARN CANTONESE
Dialogues
dialogue 3.1
Does Mr Lee speak Japanese?

A:
B:
A:
, ?
B:
A:
B.
A:
Lih Sang sk mhsk gng Yahtbnw a?
B:
Sk ssu.
A:
Gm, kuih sk mhsk gng Yngmn n?
B:
Du sk ssu.
A:
Bngo gaau kuih gng Yngmn ge n?
B:
Haih Whng Sang gaau kuih ge.
A:
Does Mr Lee speak Japanese?
B:
A little.
A:
Does he speak English, then?
B:
He speaks a little English, too.
A:
Who taught him English?
B:
Mr Wong.
31
LEARN CANTONESE
dialogue 3.2
Do you speak Mandarin?

A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
,?
B:
A:
",,",
A:
Nih sk mhsk gng Gwokyh a?
B:
Deuimhjyuh. Ngh tng mhchngch mhgi nih joi gng

ytchi.
A:
Nih sk mhsk gng Gwokyh a?
B:
Sk ssu j.
A:
Gm, nih sk mhsk Yngmhn n?
B:
Sk gng, mhsk s. Nih n?
A:
Ngh du mhsk. "Yt yih sam" du mhsk gng.
A:
B:
Sorry. I didn't get that. Can you repeat it, please?
A:
B:
Just a little.
A:
Do you speak English, then?
B:
I can speak it, but I can't write. How about you?
A:
I don't know any English at all. I can't even say "one, two, three".
32
LEARN CANTONESE
dialogue 3.3
Who are you teaching Cantonese to?
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
Nih gaau bngo hohk Gwngdngw a?
B:
Ngh gaau Whng Tai.
A:
Keui haih mhhaih Mihgwokyhn ne?
B:
Mhhaih a. Kuih haih Ynggwokyhn.
A:
Kuih sk mhsk s Jngmhn n?
B:
Mhsk.. Kuih hohk gng, daahnhaih mh hohk s.
A:
Kuih hohk mhhohk Gwokyh n?
B:
Ngh mh jdou a.
A:
Who do you teach Cantonese to?
B:
I teach Mrs Wong.
A:
Is she American?
B:
No, she's British.
A:
Can she write Chinese?
B:
No. She's just learning to speak, not write.
A:
Is she learning Mandarin?
B:
I don't know.
33
4 What time is it?
LEARN CANTONESE
Vocabulary
1. amam
exactly
2. baat
eight
3. bu
watch
4. bo
sen. suf. for certainty
5. bun
half
6. chmhhd
approximately
7. cht
seven
tread on
9. daahp bun
half past
10. daahp gi?
how many five minutes past the
daahp
hour?
11. dk meih?
ready?
12. dng
wait (for)
13. dm(jng)
o'clock
14. faai
fast
15. fnjng
minute(s)
16. gu
nine
17. gi
several
18. gi?
which number?
19. gidm(jng)
What o'clock? What time?
20. go
measure for nouns
21. gwt
quarter (hour)
22. hu
OK. All right
23. jun
accurate, right
24. jh
written figure; word
25. l
sen. suf. la for change + raised doubt.
26. l
sen. suf. for polite suggestion
27. la
sen. suf. indicating change from
37
LEARN CANTONESE
condition
28. luhng
two
29. luhk
six
30. maahn
slow
31. meih
not yet
32. mhhu yisi
I'm sorry; It's embarassing.
33. ngamngam (var: amam)
exactly
34. sam go gwt
three quarters after the hour
35. sahp
ten
36. sahpyt
eleven
37. sahpyih
twelve
38. tm
in addition, also, more
39. w
interrogative sen. suf. calling for

repeat of preceding sentence, i.e., did
you say?
40. waahkj
maybe; or
41. yt go gwt
a quarter after the hour
42. yt go jh
five minutes
43. yhg
now
38
LEARN CANTONESE
Dialogues
dialogue 4.1
Your watch is ten minutes slow.

Man:
Woman:
Man:
, ?
Woman:
Man:
Woman:
Man:
Ngh go bu maahn ssu. Nih go haih mhhaih a?
Woman:
hhaih. Ngh go haih jun ge.
Man:
Gm, yhg gidmjng a?
Woman:
Yhg ngamngam sahpyih dm.
Man:
Ngh go bu yhg haih sahpyt dm daahp sahp.
Woman:
Gm, nih go maahn luhnggojh.
Man:
My watch is a bit slow. How about yours?
Woman:
Mine's right.
Man:
So, what time is it?
Woman:
It's 12 'o'clock right on the dot.
Man:
My watch says ten to twelve.
Woman:
Yours is ten minutes slow, then.
39
LEARN CANTONESE
dialogue 4.2
My watch is 5 minutes fast.
Woman:
Man:
Woman:
Man:
Woman:
Man:
Woman:
Yhg haih mhhaih baat dm samgo gwt a?
Man:
hhaih. Ngh go bu yhg haih baat dm daahp baat j.
Woman:
Nih go bu jun mhjun a?
Man:
Jun. hfaai mhmaahn.
Woman:
Gm, ngh go faai yt go jh.
Man:
Waahkj haih.
Woman:
Is it 8:45 right now?
Man:
No. My watch says it's only 8:40.
Woman:
Is your watch right?
Man:
Yes. It's neither fast or slow.
Woman:
Mine's five minutes fast, then.
Man:
Maybe it is.
dialogue 4.3
What time is it, Mr Wong?
Woman:
, ?
Man:
, ,
40
LEARN CANTONESE
Woman:
Man:
Woman:
Man:
Woman:
Jushn, Whng Sang. Nih j mhj yhg gidmjng a?
Man:
A, jushn, Chhn Suj. Ngh go bu yhg haih gu dm daahp yt.
Woman:
Nih go bu haih mhhaih faai ssu a?
Man:
Waahkj haih. Ngh mhj.
Woman:
Nih j mhj Lih Tai gidmjng hohk Gwngdngw a?
Man:
Ngh jdou. Haih sahp dm bun.
41
5 What would you like to drink?
LEARN CANTONESE
Vocabulary
1. aak
sen. suf. a to soften abruptness + k
for liveliness
2. Aiya!
exclamation of consternation
3. bju
beer
4. bng
cake
5. chang
orange
6. chh
tea
7. chuihbn
As you wish, At your convenience
8. chuihbn chh l.
"sit anywhere you like."
9. chh
sit
10. faahn
rice (cooked)
11. gaf
coffee
12. gam
so, such
13. haakhei
polite
14. hh
Verb suffix for casual effect
15. heisui
soft drink
16. Hu aak
OK. Agreed. Response indicating

agreement.
17. jnhaih
really, indeed
18. ju
alcoholic beverage
19. ju
leave, depart
20. ju
banana
21. jyyhn
host, hostess
22. -k
a glottal stop ending to certain sentence

suffixes, giving sentence a lively
air.
23. la
sen. suf. indicating potential change
24. laak
sen. suf. la (change) + sen. suf. -k

(liveliness)
45
LEARN CANTONESE
25. lh
sen. suf. for definiteness
26. mhgi
Thank you (for service)
27. mhhu
don't (as a command)
28. mhhu haakhei
"Don't be polite."
29. mhsi
no need to, not necessary
30. mhsi la
No thanks (when offered something) [not

necessary now]
31. mhsi mhgi.
"No thanks." (to an offer)
32. mhsi haakhei
You're welcome, [not necessary] Polite

response when someone thanks you for
doing him a service [don't need to be
polite.]"You're welcome." (when
someone thanks you.)
33. nguhnaaih
milk
34. phnggw
apple
35. sui
water
36. si
try
37. sihh
give it a try
38. sihk
eat
39. sihk yn
to smoke
40. Su sihk
"I don't smoke." non-smoker's response in

refusing a cigarette, [seldom-smoke]
41. yhnhaak
guest
42. ym
drink
43. yn
tobacco; smoke
44. yiu
must, need, have to
46
LEARN CANTONESE
Dialogues
dialogue 5.1
Tea or coffee?
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
Nih ym myh a?
B:
Ngh ym gaf. Nih n?
A:
Ngh ym chh. Sihk mhsihk bng a?
B:
Hu aak.
A:
Nih gidmjng yiu ju a?
B:
Sei dm.
A:
Jnhaih gam faai yiu ju m?
B:
Haih a, jnhaih.
A:
What would you like to drink?
B:
I'll have a coffee. How about you?
A:
I'm having tea. Do you want a pastry?
B:
Sounds good.
A:
What time do you have to leave?
B:
At 4.
A:
You really have to go so soon?
47
LEARN CANTONESE
B:
Yes, I'm afraid so.
dialogue 5.2
Have some tea.

Hostess:
Guest:
Hostess:
Guest:
Hostess:
Guest:
Hostess:
Hostess:
Ym chh l.
Guest:
Hu, mhgi.
Hostess:
Sihk bng l.
Guest:
Hu aak, mhgi.
Hostess:
Sihk yn l.
Guest:
Su sihk. hsi haakhei.
Hostess:
Nih haakhei j .
Hostess:
Have some tea.
Guest:
Ok, thanks.
Hostess:
Have a pastry.
Guest:
Thanks a lot.
Hostess:
Have a cigarette.
Guest:
I don't smoke. Thanks anyway.
Hostess:
You're welcome.
48
LEARN CANTONESE
dialogue 5.3
What time will you be having dinner, then?

Mrs. Wong:
Servant :
Mrs. Wong:
Servant :
, ?
Mrs. Wong:
Servant:
Mrs. Wong:
I'm having tea with Mrs. Wong at 3:30.
Servant:
Are you having pastries?
Mrs. Wong:
A few.
Servant:
What time will you be having dinner, then?
Mrs. Wong:
At 8.
Servant:
Fine.
49
6 How much are the pants?
LEARN CANTONESE
Vocabulary
1. b
M. for things with handles, such as
umbrellas
2. bt
writing implement; pen or pencil
3. bi
give
4. chn
money
5. difu
underpants, undershorts
6. dikwhn
slip, petticoat
7. deui
pair; group measure for shoes, socks,

chopsticks
8. fu
trousers
9. gau
enough
10. gi(d)
how much? how many?
11. gihn
for clothes
12. g
that
13. go
general M. for nouns
14. guhaak
customer (restricted use)
15. haih
shoes
16. j
umbrella
17. j
M. for pen, pencil, bottles
18. jng
clock
19. kwhn
skirt
20. maih
buy
21. maaht
socks
22. mn
dollar
23. mhj(dou)...
...?
I wonder...?
24. n
this
25. sauhfoyhn
Salesclerk [sellgoodspersonnel]
53
LEARN CANTONESE
26. sutsam
shirt
27. snsang
man
28. suj
lady, woman
29. tai
tie
30. tuh
M. for trousers, ties, roads
31. wi
polite M. for persons
32. yhn
person
33. yiu
+ money expression V: wants X amount,

costs X amount, (i.e the asking price is X
amount.)
34. yhlu
raincoat
35. yhnbt
pencil
36. yhnjbt
ball point pen
54
LEARN CANTONESE
Dialogues
dialogue 6.1
I'd like to buy some pants.

Clerk:
, ?
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Jushn, sung maih myh a?
Customer:
Ng sung maih tuh fu. N luhng tuh yiu gid chn a?
Clerk:
N tuh sahpbaat mn, g tuh yahyih mn.
Customer:
Gm, ngh maih n tuh l.
Clerk:
Good morning. How may I help you?
Customer:
I'd like to buy some pants. How much are these two pairs?
Clerk:
These are 18 dollars, and those are 22 dollars.
Customer:
Ok, I'll buy these, then.
dialogue 6.2
Is this shirt $24?

Customer:
Clerk:
55
LEARN CANTONESE
Customer:
, ?
Clerk:
Customer:
Customer:
N gihn sutsam haihmhhaih yahsei mn a?
Clerk:
hhaih. Haih yahgu mn.
Customer:
G gihn du haih yahgu mn, haih mhhaih n?
Clerk:
Haih. Nih haih mhhaih luhng gihn du maih n?
Customer:
hhaih. Ngh maih n gihn, mhmaih g gihn.
Customer:
Is this shirt 24 dollars?
Clerk:
No, it's 19 dollars.
Customer:
That one's 19 dollars, as well, right?
Clerk:
Right. Do you want both, then?
Customer:
No, I just want this one.
dialogue 6.3
This one is only $20.
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Maih myh a?
Customer:
Ngh sung maih sutsam. N gihn gid chn a?
Clerk:
N gihn sahpyih mn j. Maih gid gihn n?
Customer:
Bi yt gihn ngh l.
Clerk:
How can I help you?
Customer:
I want to buy a shirt. How much is that one?
56
LEARN CANTONESE
Clerk:
This one's only 12 dollars. How many would you like?
Customer:
Give me one, please.
57
7 I'd like to buy some...
LEARN CANTONESE
Vocabulary
1. bau
package, M. for cigarette pack
2. bohng
pound
3. bou
cloth
4. bn
M. for book
5. bun
half
6. d
some, the
7. gi
chicken
8. gn
catty, unit of weight ca 1 1/3 lb
9. g d
those (in reference to unit nouns); that

(in reference to mass nouns)
10. haih...lih ge
...
is..(grammatical structure giving

emphasis to enclosed noun)
11. huh(j)
dime
12. jek
M. for chicken, shoe, sock, ship.
13. j
M. for cigarette
14. jyyuhk
pork
15. ...lih ge
see: haih...lih ge
16. maaih
sell
17. mh
yard (in length)
18. nghnchn
money [silver money]
19. nguhyuhk
beef
20. n d
these (in reference to unit nouns) this (in

reference to mass nouns)
21. ngoi
var. of oi, want, want to have
22. oi
want, want to have, want to possess
23. sy
book
24. thng
sugar
25. ytyeuhng
same
61
LEARN CANTONESE
26. ynji
cigarette
27. y
fish
62
LEARN CANTONESE
Dialogues
dialogue 7.1
I'd like to buy some beer.

Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Fgei:
Maih myh a?
Customer:
Ngh sung maih bju. Gid chn j a?
Fgei:
Go baat nghnchin. Oi gid j a?
Customer:
Oi luhng j.
Fgei:
Si mhsi maih ynji a?
Customer:
Hu, bi bau ngh l!
Clerk:
How can I help you?
Customer:
I'd like some beer. How much is it a bottle?
Clerk:
$1.80. How many would you like?
Customer:
Two, please.
Clerk:
Would you like some cigarettes, as well?
Customer:
Ok, give me a pack, then.
63
LEARN CANTONESE
dialogue 7.2
How much is this cloth a yard?
Clerk:
Clerk:
Customer:
??
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
N d bou gid chn mh a?
Clerk:
Yahsam go bun. Nih yiu gid mh a?
Customer:
Ngh mhyiu laak. G d n? Gid chn mh a?
Clerk:
G d sahpsam go bun nghnchin mh a?

Nih maih mhmaih a?
Customer:
Hu. Ngh oi luhng mh.
Clerk:
Yahcht mn luhng mh l.
dialogue 7.3
I'd like to buy some pork.

Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
64
LEARN CANTONESE
Clerk:
Maih myh a?
Customer:
Ngh suhng maih d jyyuhk. Dm maaih n?
Clerk:
N d sei go baat nghnchn gn.

G d cht go bun nghnchn gn.
Customer:
Bi sam gn g d ngh l.
Clerk:
Sam gn yahyih go bun.
Customer:
Ngh du sung oi luhng gn n d.
Clerk:
Hu aak, gu go luhk nghn chn l.
Clerk:
How may I help you?
Customer:
I'd like to buy some pork. How much is it?
Clerk:
This is $4.80 a catty. That is $7.50 a catty.
Customer:
I'll take 3 catties of that.
Clerk:
That'll be $22.50
Customer:
I'd like 2 catties of this, too.
Clerk:
Ok, that'll be $9.60.
65
8 What size do you take?
LEARN CANTONESE
Vocabulary
1.
amjeuk
fits well, wellfitting
2.
sen. suf. with force of "I suppose"
3.
baahk
white
4.
bn?
which?
5.
chuhng
long (in length)
6.
chuhngsam
cheongsam
7.
dozen
8.
daaih
large
9.
daaihd
a little larger
10. disam
underwear
11. d
attaches to adjectives to mean "a little

Adj; somewhat adj; Adjer".
12. d
much, many
13. dyn
short
14. fut
wide
15. gauh
old (not new)
16. ge
one(s) = (noun substitute)
17. gi
rather, quite
18. gwai
expensive
19. hak
black
20. hu
very
21. hu
good
22. Hu mhhu a?
OK? Is (that) all right?
23. houh
number
24. husihk
good to eat; tasty
25. huym
good to drink; tasty
26. jaak
narrow
27. jeuk
wear; put on (clothes)
28. jng
type
69
LEARN CANTONESE
29. jngyi
like, prefer; like to
30. langsam
sweater
31. leng
pretty; goodlooking; good, nice (for

foods)
32. Maihsaai laak
All sold out.
33. mhhaih gi
not very..., not...
34. mhhaih hu
not very
35. muh
not have, there isn't (aren't)
36. ngamjeuk (var. amjeuk)
well fitting (for clothes), fits

well
37. phng
cheap
38. saai
completely
39. si
small
40. sn
new
41. sk
colour
42. wah
say, opine
43. yuh
have, there is (are)
70
LEARN CANTONESE
Dialogues
dialogue 8.1
Is it for you?
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Yuh muh baahk seutsam a?
Clerk:
Haih mhhaih nih jeuk ga?
Customer:
Haih.
Clerk:
Nih jeuk gid houh a?
Customer:
Samsahpluhk, waakj samsahpbaat.
Clerk:
N gihn haih samsahpluhk.
Customer:
N gihn mh gau daaih. Yuh muh samsahpbaat ge n?
Clerk:
Deuimhjuh - samsahpbaat ge maaihsaai laak.
Customer:
Do you have any white shirts?
Clerk:
Is it for you?
Customer:
Yes.
Clerk:
What size do you take?
Customer:
36 or 38.
Clerk:
This one is 36.
71
LEARN CANTONESE
Customer:
This is too small. Do you have a 38?
Clerk:
Sorry - the 38 is sold out.
dialogue 8.2
Do you have anything cheaper?

Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Yuh muh baahk haih maaih a?
Clerk:
Yuh. Nih jng mhjngyi n deui n?
Customer:
Gi leng. Gi(d) chn deui a?
Clerk:
N deui haih Mihgwok haih. Cht'ahgu mn deui.
Customer:
Yuh muh phngd ge n?
Clerk:
Yuh. G deui haih Yahtbn haih. Yahgh mn deui j.
Customer:
Mhgi nih bi deui Yahtbn ge ngh l.
Clerk:
Hu aak.
Customer:
Do you have any white shoes?
Clerk:
Yes. What do you think of these?
Customer:
Really nice. How much are they?
72
LEARN CANTONESE
Clerk:
These are from the US. They're $79.00.
Customer:
Do you have anything cheaper?
Clerk:
These are from Japan. They're only $25.00.
Customer:
I'll take a pair of the Japanese ones, then.
Clerk:
Ok.
dialogue 8.3
What size do you take?

Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Customer:
Yuh muh maht a?
Clerk:
Yuh. N d nih jng mhjngyi n?
Customer:
Gi jngyi. Dm maaih a?
Clerk:
Luhk go bun nghnchin deui. Nih jeuk gi houh a?
Customer:
Mhji - Ngh jeuk luhk houh ge Mihgwok haih.
Clerk:
Gm, gu houh l. Nih sung maih gid deui a?
Customer:
Bi sam deui ngh l.
Clerk:
Hu aak. Oi mhoi haih n?
Customer:
Mhoi laak. Mhgi.
Customer:
Do you have any socks?
73
LEARN CANTONESE
Clerk:
Sure. How about these?
Customer:
Not bad. How much are they?
Clerk:
$6.50. What size do you take?
Customer:
I don't know. I wear a US size 6 shoe.
Clerk:
Well, that'll be a 9. How many pairs do you want?
Customer:
Give me three pairs.
Clerk:
Ok. Do you need any shoes?
Customer:
No thanks.
dialogue 8.4
I don't need that much!

Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Yuh muh thng maaih a?
Clerk:
Yuh. Maih gid bohng n? gh bohng gau mhgau a?
Customer:
Mhsi gam d. Luhng bohng gau laak. A!

Ngh sung oi nguhyuhk, dm maaih a?
Clerk:
Sei go baat nghnchn gn.
Customer:
Bi yt gn ngh l.
Clerk:
Hu.
Customer:
Do you sell sugar?
Clerk:
Sure. How much do you need? Is 5 pounds enough?
74
LEARN CANTONESE
Customer:
I don't need that much! Two pounds will do.

Oh, I want some beef. How much is it?
Clerk:
$4.80 a catty.
Customer:
I'll take one catty.
Clerk:
Ok.
75
9 Who would you like to speak to?
LEARN CANTONESE
Vocabulary
1.
aan (var: ngaan)
noon, midday
2.
chut gai
go out (from one's own house)
3.
cho
mistake, make a mistake
4.
Daaihsngd
Speak louder!
5.
dng ytjn (also dng ytjahn)
wait awhile
6.
Daap cho sin!
Wrong number! [caught mistake line]
7.
hit
8.
d dihnw
make a telephone call
9.
dng
wait
10. dng
allow, let Person do something; wait

while Person does something.
11. dihnw
telephone
12. dm bun
1:30 o'clock
13. fan
return (to/from a place you habitually go

to)
14. fan gng
go [return] to work
15. fan hohk
go to school
16. fanlih
come back, return (here)
17. fan (ng)kki
go [return] home
18. gamseuhngh
approximately
19. ge
mark of the possessive, joins with

preceding personal noun (or pronoun) to
form possessive.
20. gid houh?
what number?
21. gis? or gish?
when?
22. giu
instruct, tell, order, call
23. gng Person j
tell someone
24. gng Person tng
tell someone
25. gngyhn
servant, laborer
79
LEARN CANTONESE
26. heui gai
27. j
verb suf. indicating accomplishment of

the action
28. joi dlih
call back (on the phone)
29. lhng
"and a little bit" in a number phrase
30. lhng
zero
31. l
fetch, to go get (something)
32. ngaan
noon, midday
33. ngkki or kki
home
34. sih
business, affair, matter
35. sihk (ng)aan
eat lunch
36. sn
first
37. sin
line, thread
38. tng
hear, listen to
39. tng dihnw
talk [listen] on the telephone
40. kki or ngkkei
home
41. wah ngh j
tell me
42. wah yhn tng
tell someone
43. wah yhn j
tell someone
44. wn
look for, search
45. wn yhn
look someone up
80
LEARN CANTONESE
Dialogues
dialogue 9.1
I'd like to speak to Mrs Ho.

Amah:
Mr. Wong:
Amah:
Mr. Wong:
Amah:
Mr. Wong:
Amah:
Mrs. Ho:
Mr. Wong:
Mrs. Ho:
Mr. Wong:
Mrs. Ho:
Mr. Wong:
Mrs. Ho:
Amah:
Wi.
Caller:
Haih mhhaih cht-sam-lhng-sei-gh-lhng a?
Amah:
Mhgi nih daaihsngd. Ngh tng mhchngch.
Caller:
Cht-sam-lhng-sei-gh-lhng, haih mhhaih a?
Amah:
Haih. Wn bngo a?
Caller:
Mhgi nih giu Hh Tai tng dihnw l.
Amah:
Hu. Dng (yt)jn.
Mrs. Ho:
Wi.
Caller:
Hh Tai, jushn.
81
LEARN CANTONESE
Mrs. Ho:
Jushn.
Caller:
Ngh haih whng Sang a. Nih j mhj Chhn Snsang ge dihnw

gid houh a?
Mrs. Ho:
A! J. Kuih ge dihnw haih gh sei sam yih yt lhng.
Caller:
Hu, mhgi.
Mrs. Ho:
Mhsi mhgi.
Amah:
Hello.
Caller:
Is this 7-3-0-4-5-0?
Amah:
Can you speak up. I can't hear.
Caller:
Is that 7-3-0-4-5-0?
Amah:
Yes. Who would you like to speak to?
Caller:
Mrs Ho, please.
Amah:
Ok. Just a minute.
Mrs. Ho:
Hello.
Caller:
Good morning, Mrs Ho.
Mrs. Ho:
Good morning.
Caller:
This is Mr Wong. Do you know Mr Chan's number?
Mrs. Ho:
Sure. His number is 543210.
Caller :
Ok, thanks.
Mrs. Ho:
You're welcome.
dialogue 9.2
I'm sorry, he's gone out.

Secretary:
Caller:
Secretary:
Caller:
Secretary:
82
LEARN CANTONESE
Caller :
,?
Secretary:
Caller :
Secretary:
Secretary:
Wi.
Caller :
Wi. Haih mhhai sam baat luhk lhng gh gu a?
Secretary:
Haih. Wn bnwi n?
Caller :
Ngh sung wn Lih Sang tng dihnw.
Secretary:
Deuimhjyuh laak. Kuih chutj gai bo.
Caller :
Gm, kuih gidmjng fanlih n?
Secretary:
Luhng dm lhng jng gamseuhngh l.
Caller :
Hu. Mhgi nih.
Secretary:
Mhsi mhgi.
Secretary:
Hello
Caller:
Hello. Is this 386059?
Secretary:
Yes, who would you like to speak to?
Caller:
Mr Lee.
Secretary:
I'm sorry, but he's out of the office right now.
Caller:
So when will he be back, then?
Secretary:
Around 2:00.
Caller:
Ok, thanks.
Secretary:
You're welcome.
dialogue 9.3
He's gone to the office.
Amah:
. ?
Caller:
Amah:
. ?
Caller:
. ?
83
LEARN CANTONESE
Amah:
Caller:
. ...
Amah :
; . , ...
Caller:
Amah:
. , .
Amah:
Wi. Wn bngo a?
Caller:
Wi. Mhgi nih giu Chhn Snsang tng dihnw l.
Amah:
Kuih fanj gng bo. Gwaising wn kuih a?
Caller:
Sing Hh ge. Kuih gish fanlih n?
Amah:
Mhj bo.
Caller:
Dng kuih fanlih mhgi nih giu kuih d dihnw bi ngh l. Ngh
dihnw haih....
Amah :
Mhgi nih dng ytjn; ngh l j bt sin. Wi, nih ge dihnw haih....
Caller:
Cht-yt-yt-yih-lhng-cht.
Amah:
Hu l. Kuih fanlih, ngh giu kuih d bi nih l.
Amah:
Hello. Who would you like to speak to?
Caller:
Hello. Mr Chan, please.
Amah:
He has gone to work. May I ask who's calling, please?
Caller:
My name's Ho. What time will he be back?
Amah:
I don't know.
Caller:
When he comes back can you tell him to call me. My number is...
Amah :
Just a minute. I'll get a pen. Ok, your number is...
Caller:
7-1-1-2-0-7.
Amah:
Ok. When he comes back, I'll tell him to call you.
84
10 Talking about location
LEARN CANTONESE
Vocabulary
1. bnbihn?
which side?
2. bihn
()
side
3. bndouh?
where?
4. bndeihyhn
a native of the place under discussion
5. chanst
western style restaurant
6. chhluh
Cantonese style teahouse
7. ch
vehicle: car, bus, or tram
8. ch jaahm
car stop (bus or tram stop)
9. chng mahn
"May I ask...?"
10. Daaih Douh Jng
Queen's Road Central
11. Dkfuh Douh Jng
Des Voeux Road Central
12. deuimihn
opposite side
13. du
verb suffix indicating successful

accomplishment of the action of the
verb.
14. gan
M. for buildings
15. gaaklih
next door
16. gdouh
there
17. g bihn
()
over there, on that side
18. gngs
department store; office (of a commercial

company)
19. hi
location verb, translated as: is in/at/on
20. Hunggng
Hong Kong
21. jaahm
station, stop (as train station, bus stop)
22. judim
hotel
23. jgn
nearby, hereabouts
24. Jngwahn
Central District
25. lchn
withdraw money (from bank)
26. mhtuh
pier
87
LEARN CANTONESE
27. Mhnwh Judim
Mandarin Hotel
28. mahn
ask
29. Mihgwok Judim
American Hotel,
(in HK, the Hong Kong Hilton)
30. Mihgwok Nghnhhng
Bank of America
31. mhnhu
doorway
32. N!
"there!" an exclamation used when

pointing out something to someone
33 nbihn
()
this side
34. ndouh
here
35 njgn
closeby, hereabouts
36. nghnhhng
bank
37. ngk (or k)
house
38. sjihluh
office
39. timhdu
can't see
40. tidu
see [look successfully]
41. timhtidu?
can you see?
42. ti sy
read (a book)
43. Tnsng Mhtuh
Star Ferry Pier
44. tuhsygwn
library
45. k (var: ngk)
house
46. yhnhaak
tourist
88
LEARN CANTONESE
Dialogues
dialogue 10.1
Is your office on the Hong Kong side?

A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
A:
Nih sjihluh hi mhhi Hunggng n bihn a?
B:
Hi. Hi Daaih Douh Jng.
A:
Gdouh jgn yuh muh hu ge chhluh a?
B:
Yuh. Ngh sjihluh gaaklih yuh gan hu hu ga.

Ngh hu jngyi hi gdouh ym chh ga.
A:
Ngh sjihluh jgn ge chhluh du mhhai gi hu, daahnhaih yuh

gan gi hu ge chanst. Ngh jngyi hi gdouh sihk ngaan.
A:
Is your office over here in Hong Kong? [as opposed to Kowloon etc]
B:
Yes. It's on Queen's Road Central.
A:
Are there any good restaurants [Chinese-style] around there?
B:
Yes. There's a really good one right across from my office. I really like
to go there for yam cha.
A:
There's one near my office, but it's not too good. There's a fairly good
Western-style restaurant there where I like to eat lunch.
89
LEARN CANTONESE
dialogue 10.2
Where did you buy that sweater?

Mrs. Ho:
Miss Wong:
Mrs. Ho:
Miss Wong:
Mrs. Ho:
Mrs. Ho:
Nih gihn langsam hu leng. Hi bndouh maih ga?
Miss Wong:
Hi Jngwahn yt gan gngs maih ge.
Mrs. Ho:
Bn gan n?
Miss Wong:
Hi ngh sjihluh gaaklih g gan.
Mrs. Ho:
Haih mhhaih hi chjaahm deuimihn a?
Miss Wong:
Haih. Haih g gan.
Mrs. Ho:
That's a nice sweater. Where did you buy it?
Miss Wong:
At a store in Central.
Mrs Ho:
Which store?
Miss Wong:
It's just across from my office.
Mrs Ho:
Is it the one opposite the bus station?
Miss Wong:
Yes. That's the one.
dialogue 10.3
Do you know where the Mandarin Hotel is?
Lih Sang:
Hh Sang:
?
90
LEARN CANTONESE
Lih Sang:
Hh Sang:
?
,
Lih Sang:
Hh Sang:
?
,
Lih Sang:
Wi.
Hh Sang:
Lih Sang h.
Lih Sang:
Haih a, bn wi a?
Hh Sang:
Ngh haih Hh Yaht-sn a. Nih j mhj Mihgwok Judim

hi bndouh a? Yuh go phngyuh ytjn sam dm hi gdouh dng
ngh. Kuih wah ngh j Mihgwok Judim hi Seuhnghi
Nghnhhng gaaklih, daahnhaih ngh wn mhdu.
Lih Sang:
Mihgwok Judim mhhaih hi Seuhnghi Nghnhhng gaaklih. Hi

Jnggwok Nghnhhng deuimihn. Nih j mhj Jnggwok Nghnhhng
hi bndouh a?
Hh Sang:
O. Gm, ngh j laak. Mhgisaai. Joigin.
Lih Sang:
Hello.
Hh Sang:
Is that Mr Lee?
Lih Sang:
Yes, who's speaking?
Hh Sang:
This is Yat Sin Ho. Do you know where the Mandarin Hotel is?
There's a friend who's supposed to meet me there at 3 'o'clock
He told me the Hilton was next to the Shanghai Bank, but I can't find it.
Lih Sang:
Mihgwok Judim mhhai hi Seuhnghi Nghnhhng gaaklih. Hi

Jnggwok Nghnhhng deuimihn. Nih j mhj Jnggwok Nghnhhng
hi bndouh a?
Hh Sang:
Oh, I know now. Thanks. Bye.
91
11 Doing things for others
LEARN CANTONESE
Vocabulary
1. ag
elder brother
2. baak
hundred
3. cheung
change money into smaller

denomination
4. cheunghi
split, break up large banknote or coin to
exchange for ones of lesser

denomination.
5. chn
thousand
6. daai
carry
7. daai...heui
take...along
8. daai...lai
...
bring...along
9. dk
all right, OK, will do
10. dk
in yuhdk .;. = available, can
11. dk...
only have ...
12. fu
M. for eyeglasses
13. gid
quite a lot
14. hi douh
(he, she, it, etc.) is here; is at (this) place
15. hud
a lot
16. husu
very little
17. jau
give change
18. jaufan
V: give back change
19. je
lend, borrow
20. jejyuh
lend or borrow temporarily
21. jung
M. for banknotes
22. j
banknote; paper
23. jyuh
temporarily, for a short time
24. mhgeidk
forget (not remember)
25. mhginj
lose, lost; "nowhere to be seen"
26. muhdk
not have available for V-ing
95
LEARN CANTONESE
27. muhgid
not much, not many
96
LEARN CANTONESE
Dialogues
dialogue 11.1
Just a moment - I'll go get some change.

Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
, , .
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Customer:
Clerk:
Sei j beju, luhk j heisui, sahp go chang...sahpsam go yih l.
Customer:
Nh, ndouh yt baak mn.
Clerk:
Hu, dng ngh jaufan bi nih l. Aiya, deuimhjyuh, mhgau sanj

tm. Nih yuh muh sanj a?
Customer:
Ngh du muh bo.
Clerk:
Gm, mhgi nih dng jahn, ngh wn yhn cheunghi kuih l.
Customer:
Hu l.
Clerk:
Ndouh jaufan baatsahpluhk go baat bi nih.
Customer:
Nih yuh muh yt mn ngn a?
Clerk:
Yuh, nih sung yiu gid n?
97
LEARN CANTONESE
Customer:
Mhgi nih cheung sahp mn ngh l.
Clerk:
Hu.
Customer:
Mhgisaai.
Clerk:
Four beers, six pop, ten oranges...that'll be $13.20.
Customer:
Here's $100.
Clerk:
Ok, let me get your change. Darn, sorry, I don't have enough change.
Do you have anything smaller?
Customer:
No, I'm afraid not.
Clerk:
Well, hang on a minute and I'll go get some change.
Customer:
Ok.
Clerk:
Here's your $86.80 change.
Customer:
Do you have any dollar coins?
Clerk:
Sure, how many do you need?
Customer:
Can you give me ten?
Clerk:
Ok.
Customer:
Thanks.
dialogue 11.2
How would you like that?
Mr. Whng:
Teller:
? ?
Mr. Whng:
Teller:
Mr. Whng:
Mr. Whng:
Mhgi nih thng ngh cheunghi kuih l!
Teller:
Cheung gid a? Haih mhhaih ngoisaai sahp mn j a?
98
LEARN CANTONESE
Mr. Whng:
Mhhaih. Oi sei jung yt baak mn j, sahp jung sahp mn.
Teller:
Mhgau sahp mn j bo. Oi gu jung sahp mn j, sahp go yt mn ngn,

hu mhhu a?
Mr. Whng:
Hu, oi d sangn du hu.
Mr. Whng:
I'd like to change this.
Teller:
How would you like it? Do you want all tens?
Mr. Whng:
No. I'd like four $100 bills and ten tens.
Teller:
It looks like I don't have enough tens. I can give you nine tens and ten
one dollar coins. How about that?
Mr. Whng:
That's fine. I don't mind some coins.
dialogue 11.3
I'm really sorry...I forgot.

A:
B:
A:
B:
, .
A:
B:
A:
A:
Nih gmyaht mhgeidk daai g bn sy fanlih bi ngh a?
B:
Aiya! Mhgeidk tm! Jnhaih deuimhjyuh laak! Nih gish (gisi) yiu
yuhng a?
A:
Ngh dng jahn yiu ga. Ytjn ngh hohk Yngmn muh sy ti.
Mhdk ge bo!
99
LEARN CANTONESE
B:
Gm, ngh yhg fan kki l bi nih l.
A:
Yiu fan kki l h. Mhhu laak. Nih j mhj ndouh bngo yuh
n bn sy hyh jejyuh bi ngh sn ga?
B:
A! Chhn Sang du yuhng g bn sy hohk Yngmn, dng ngh giu

kuih je bi nih l.
A:
Hu aak! Mhgisaai.
A:
You didn't remember to bring that book back today by any chance, did
you?
B:
Oh, darn! No, I didn't. I'm really sorry. When do you need it?
A:
I need it pretty soon. It'll be a real pain if I have to go to English class

without a book!
B:
Well, I'll go home and get it for you.
A:
No need to do that!. Do you know somebody who has a copy they can
lend me?
B:
Oh, yeah! Mr Chan uses that book for his English class. Let me ask him
to lend it to you.
A:
Great! Thanks.
100
12 Talking about immediate plans
LEARN CANTONESE
Vocabulary
1. bhb
father
2. chhnbihn
()
front (front side)
3. chngch
clear, vivid, clearly
4. daai
take/bring (someone/something) along
5. douh
road, restricted to use following named

road
6. g
M. for vehicle
7. gn
follow, come behind
8. gnjyuh
follow, come behind
9. Gulhng
Kowloon
10. hauhbihn
()
back (back side); behind
11. heui
go
12. hohkhaauh
school
13. houh
number
14. ji
son
15. jinui
children (of a family), sons and

daughters
16. jp
meet, fetch, pick up (a person)
17. jouh
do, work
18. jouh sam
make clothes, have clothes made
19. jouh sih
to work, have a job
20. jyuh
live
21. lih
come
22. lu
floor, storey of a building
23. mhm
mother
24. Muh cho
That's right.
25. nahmphngyuh
boyfriend
26. Nihdun Douh
Nathan Road
27. nui
daughter
103
LEARN CANTONESE
28. nuihphngyuh
girlfriend
29. sih
piece of business, affair, matter
30. snsang
husband
31. sung
deliver
32. taaitai
wife; married woman
33. taam
to visit
34. ti ysng
see the doctor
35. thng
with
36. yh
things, stuff
37. ysng
doctor
104
LEARN CANTONESE
Dialogues
dialogue 12.1
What's the problem?

Mrs Wong:
Mrs Li:
Mrs Wong:
Mrs Li:
Mrs Wong:
Mrs Li:
Mrs Wong:
? ?
Mrs Li:
Mrs Wong:
Mrs Li:
Whng Tai:
A, Lih Tai, thng g nui heui bn a?
Lih Tai :
Ngh daai kuih heui ti ysng a.
Whng Tai:
Myh sih a?
Lih Tai:
Kuih mhsung sihk faahn lh.
Whng Tai:
Nih daai kuih heui ti bngo ysng a?
Lih Tai :
Ngh snsang giu ngh daai kuih ti Jung Ysng. Kuih haih
nghdeih ge phngyuh.
Whng Tai:
Bngo Jung Ysng a? Haih mhhaih Seuhnghi Nghnhhng g go a?
Lih Tai:
Muh cho, haih kuih laak.
Whng Tai:
Gm, ngh sung nihdeih heui l. Ngh ngamngam yiu heui

nghnhhng l chin.
Lih Tai:
Hu aak. Mhgisaai bo.
Mrs Wong:
Hello, Mrs Li! So, where are you off to with your daughter?
105
LEARN CANTONESE
Lih Tai:
I'm taking her to the doctor.
Mrs Wong:
What's up?
Lih Tai:
She doesn't feel like eating.
Mrs Wong:
Which doctor are you taking her to?
Lih Tai:
My husband told me to take her to see Dr Cheung. He's a friend of ours.
Mrs Wong:
Which Dr Cheung? Is it the one by the Shanghai Bank?
Lih Tai:
Right! That's the one.
Mrs Wong:
Well, I'll take you there. I'm just off to the bank.
Lih Tai:
Ok. Thanks a lot.
dialogue 12.2
Off home, then?

A:
B:
- .
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
? ,
B:
A:
Nih haih mhhaih fan kki a?
B:
Mhhaih - ngh yhg yiu heui ngh nuiphngyuh kki taam kuih
mhm.
A:
Kuih mhm yuh myh sih a?
B:
Muh myh sih. Kuih giu ngh heui kuihdeih douh sihk faahn l.
A:
Okuihdeih jyuh hi bn a?
B:
Kuihdeih ngamngam jyuh hi nih hauhbihn.
106
LEARN CANTONESE
A:
Haih m? Gm, ngh sung nih heui l.
B:
Mhgisaai.
A:
Going home?
B:
No, I'm off to my girlfriend's to visit her mother?
A:
What's wrong with her mother?
B:
Nothing. She invited me over for dinner..
A:
Oh, where do they live?
B:
Just behind where you live.
A:
Really? I'll take you there, then.
B:
Thanks.
dialogue 12.3
I'm going shopping...

Wong Tai :
Wong Sang:
Wong Tai :
...
Wong Sang:
...
Wong Tai :
! ?
Wong Sang:
Wong Tai :
Ngh ytjn yiu heui gngs maih yh. Nih yuh muh chn
a?
Wong Sang:
Ngh dk ssu ja. Ngh ngamngam sung heui nghnhhng l

chn. Nih gidmjung chutgai a?
Wong Tai :
Hmmm...Ngh yiu dng Hh Tai dihnw bo.
Wong Sang:
Gm...Ngh yihg heui nghnhhng l chn sin. Nih ytjn lih ngh
sjihluh l chn, hu mhhu a?
107
LEARN CANTONESE
Wong Tai :
Hu! ...A, ...nih yuh muh yh yiu maih a?
Wong Sang:
Muh laak.
Miss Chan:
I'm going shopping in a while. Do you have any money?
Mr. Wong:
Not much. I'm planning to go to the bank. When are you going out?
Miss Chan:
Not sure. I'm waiting for Mrs Ho to call.
Mr. Wong
Well, I'll go to the bank first and then you can come to my office and
get some money. Ok?
Miss Chan:
Ok. Do you need me to get you anything?
Mr. Wong:
No. That's ok.
108
13 Going places
LEARN CANTONESE
Vocabulary
1. daaphaak
passenger
2. diuhtuh
turn (a car) around [reverse head]
3. dou
arrive
4. fanjyun tuh
turn (the car) around and go back [return

turn head] Make a U-turn.
5. gai
street
6. giu(jouh)
is called, is named
7. gwaisingmhng?
what is your surname and given name?

(polite)
8. gwo
pass by (a point); cross (a street); go
over to (a place)
9. gwod
beyond; a little farther on
10. Gwodtm
Go further on; Keep going (said to taxi

driver)
11. hahng
go; walk; drive
12. hyh
can, as (1) be permitted, allowed to; (2)

be willing to
13. j ch
to drive a car
14. jauh
immediately, soon; as clause connector

= then; and
15. jihk
straight
16. j
left (direction)
17. jbihn
()
left side
18. jsubihn
()
lefthand side
19. jyun
turn
20. la
as sen. suf. to imperative

sentence, gives connotation of
friendly advice
21. mng
name; given name
111
LEARN CANTONESE
22. paak ch
park a car
23. tanhauh
back (a car) up, move back
24. thng
stop
25. wi
place, seat
26. Whngn Gngs
Wing On Department Store
27. yahp
enter
28. yahpbihn
()
inside
29. yahpheui
go in; enter
30. ytjihk
straight
a) direction
b) without being diverted: straight
31. yauh
right (direction)
32. yauhbihn
()
right side
33. yauhsubihn
()
right hand side
112
LEARN CANTONESE
Dialogues
dialogue 13.1
Hey, isn't that your friend in that black car behind us?
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
......,
B:
A:
A:
Hi hak sk g g ch hauhbihn g go yhn haih mhhaih nih

phngyuh a?
B:
Haih bo! Mhgi nih fanjyuntuh l. Ngh yuh d yh sung wah

kuih j ge.
A:
Hu aak. Kuih haih mhhaih sing Jung g?
B:
Mhhaih, kuih sing Chhn ge.
A:
Kuih giujouh myh mng a?
B:
Kuih giujouh Gwokwh.
A:
Chhn Gwokwh...Hmm...Gm, mhhaih laak.
B:
Mhhaih myh a?
A:
Kuih mhhaih Lih Suj ge nahmphngyuh laak.
A:
Hey! Isn't that guy in the black car behind us your friend?
B:
Hey, it is! Do a U-turn I've got something to tell him.
A:
Ok. Is his last name Cheung?
B:
No, it's Chan.
113
LEARN CANTONESE
A:
What's his first name?
B:
Kwok Wah.
A:
Kwok Wah Chan...Hmm...So it's not.
B:
Not what?
A:
It's not Miss Li's boyfriend.
dialogue 13.2
Who are you having Yam Cha with?
:
:
:
:
:
!
, ?
?
?
,
, ,
, ?

,
Whng Tai:
Wei!
Siu Yng:
Wei, mhm h? Ngh hih SuYng a. Ngh yhg hi Mhnwh
:
:
:
:
Judim ym chh. Nih lih mhlih a?

Whng Tai:
Nih thng bngo ym chh a?
Siu Yng:
Ngh thng Hh Mi Wh. Ndouh d bng hu leng g.

Nih lih l.
Whng Tai:
Nih yuh phngyuh hi douh, ngh mhlih la.
Su Yng:
Lih l, mhm, ngh sung nih ytjn thng ngh heui maih yh a.
Whng Tai:
Gm h, si mhsi ngh j ch lih ?
Su Yng:
Njgn hu siu wi paak ch ge bo. Nih giu dks lih l.
114
LEARN CANTONESE
Whng Tai:
Hu l, ngh jauh lih laak.
Mrs Wong:
Hello?
Siu Ying:
Hello, Mom? It's me, Siu Ying. I'm having yamcha at the Mhnwh
Hotel. Are you coming?
Mrs Wong:
Who are you with?
Siu Ying:
I'm with Mei Wah Ho. The pastries are great here. Come and join us!
Mrs Wong:
You're with your friend. Never mind.
Siu Ying:
Come on, Mom. I want to go shopping with you later.
Mrs Wong:
Shall I drive over, then?
Siu Ying:
There aren't too many parking spaces around here. You'd better take a
cab.
Mrs Wong:
Ok. I'm on my way.
dialogue 13.3
Excuse me, is this Queen's Road Central?
A:
B:
, ,
A:
(He goes on...)

A:
, ?
C:
A:
C:
A:
A:
Chng mahn n tuh haih mhhaih Daaih Douh Jng a?
B:
Mhhaih, nih hi ndouh ytjihk heui, hahng dou daih sam go gaihu
g tuh jauh haih laak.
115
LEARN CANTONESE
A:
O, mhgi.
(He goes on...)

A:
Chng mahn, Daaih Douh Jng gh baak lhng sei houh hi mhhi
njgn a?
C:
gh baak lhng sei houh h. N, chhnbihn yauhsubihn daih sam gan

jauh haih laak.
A:
G douh yuh muh wi paak ch g?
C:
Hu chh muh bo.
A:
Hu. Mhgisaai.
A:
Excuse me, but is this street Queen's Road Central?
B:
No. Just go another 3 blocks and you'll see it right there.
A:
Oh, thanks.
(He goes on)

A:
Excuse me, is 504 Queen's Road Central around here?
C:
504, eh? Yes, it's the third building over there on the right.
A:
Is there any parking there?
C:
Looks like there isn't.
A:
Ok, thanks.
dialogue 13.4
524 Nathan Road, please.
A:
B:
(They ride for awhile)

A:
,!
B:
,
, , ,
A:
, ,
B:
116
LEARN CANTONESE
(The driver makes a U-turn at the intersection and goes back)
A:
(He pays the driver $3 for the $2.70 ride)
B:
A:
Mhgi Nih Dun Douh, gh baak yihsahp sei houh.
B:
Hu.

A:
Gwoj daih yih go gaihu yauhbihn, thng ch l. Ei! Gwoj

la, mhgi nih tanhauh ssiu l.
B:
O, mhdk bo, hauhbihn yuh ch lih, mhhyih tanhauh.
A:
Gm, joi si gwod, fanjyuntuh l.
B:
Dk.

A:
Hu. Hi douh thng.

Mhsi jau la.
B:
Djeh.
A:
524 Nathan Road, please.
B:
Ok.

A:
Just past the second street on the right. Whoops! You went past it. Just
back up a bit, can you?
B:
No, I can't. There's a car coming up behind.
A:
Well, go on a bit and turn round, then.
B:
Ok.

A:
Ok. Stop here.

Keep the change.
117
LEARN CANTONESE
B:
Thanks.
118
14 Eating at a restaurant
LEARN CANTONESE
Vocabulary
1. baahk faahn
boiled or steamed rice
2. btgwo
however; but; although
3. bi
cup, glass
4. bi
M. for cup, glass
5. chau
to sautee or toss fry in small amt of oil,

as in scrambling eggs.
6. chau faahn
fried rice
7. chau mihn
fried noodles
8. choi
food; a particular food, a dish
9. choipai
menu, bill of fare
10. dm
to order (food)
11. d
additional, as modifier in Noun

phrase
12. dd
more (in addition) (follows V)
13. Djeh
Thank you. (for a gift)
14. Djehsaai.
Thank you very much.
15. duhaih
always, really
16. faaij
chopsticks
17. fgei
waiter in restaurant
18. gaaisiuh
recommend; introduce
19. gng
spoon
20. gwo
indicates experience; to have done

something before
21. Gwngdng choi
Cantonese food
22. h
shrimp
23. Hu ma?
Is that OK?
24. jug
Chinese style restaurant
25. jek
M. for spoon
26. jouh yh
do chores; have a job
121
LEARN CANTONESE
27. juhng
still, in addition, also (+ verb)
28. jngchoi
Chinese food
29. jnggwok choi
Chinese food
30. ma?
sen. suf. making a question of the

sentence it attaches to
31. Maihdan!
The check please!
32. meih
negative, "not yet"
33. mhcho
good, not bad
34. ngoihgwokyhn
foreigner(s)
35. nng
carry (something)
36. nng ...heui
take, carry off (something)
37. nng ...lih
bring (something)...here
38. Sichan
Western meal
39. Seuhnghi choi
Shanghai food
40. sui bi
water glass
41. Sihdaahn l.
Either one. No preference. As you wish.

(when offered a choice). Whatever.
42. tihh
have a look
43. tng
soup
44. tng mihn
soup noodles
45. wn
M. a bowl of...
46. wn
bowl
47. wnji
small bowl
48. Yahtbn choi
Japanese food
49. yt chi du meih.
not even once...
50. yt M du Neg V
...
Not even one...; can't V. even one M .
51. yh
work (as in jouh yh) (with restricted

use)
52. yeuhng
kind, type
122
LEARN CANTONESE
Dialogues
dialogue 14.1.
Miss Lee! So, where are you off to?
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
, ?
, ?
?
! ?
, , ?
, ?
, ?
(They arrive at the restaurant)
:
:
:
:
, ,.., ?
, ... , ,
, ?
,
,
(They finish eating)
:
:
:
:
:
,
, !
,
,
Whng Sang:
A, Lih Suj. Heui bndouh a?
Lih Suj :
O, Whng Sang. Ngh ngamngam fng gng. Nih n?
Whng Sang:
Ngh ngamngam hi nghnhhng lchn fanlaih. Sihk faahn meih a?
Lih Suj :
Meih a! Nih n?
Whng Sang:
Ngh du meih a, ngh chng nih heui sihk faahn l, hu mhhu a?
123
LEARN CANTONESE
Lih Suj:
Hu aak, heui bn gan n?
Whng Sang:
Gwngju Jug d yhm guhk gi hu leng g, nih sihkgwo meih a?
Lih Suj:
Meih sihkgwo.
Whng Sang:
Gm, nghdeih heui sihh l.

Whng Sang:
Fgei! Nghdeih sung yiu jek yhm guhk gi, mm...Lih Suj, juhng
yiu myeh choi tm n?
Lih Suj:
Gaailan chaau nguhyuhk l, mm...yt jek gi tai d, nghdeih sihk

mhsaai, yiu bun jek jauh gau la, joi dim go si yuhng choi tng. Hu
mhhu a?
Whng Sang:
A. Hu, Lih Suj jnhaih sk dm choi ge laak. Fgei mhgi nih faai
d bo.
Lih Suj:
Ndouh d choi jnhaih mhcho, ngh du yiu daai ngh mhm lih
sihh.

Whng Sang:
Fgei, maihdan.
Fgei:
Snsang, yahsam mn l!
Whng Sang:
Ndouh yah gh mn, mhsi jau laak.
Lih Suj :
Whng Snsang, djehsaai bo.
Whng Sang:
Mhsi haakhei.
Mr. Wong:
Oh, Miss Lee. Where are you going?
Miss Lee :
Oh, Mr. Wong. I just got off work. How about you?
Mr. Wong:
I'm just on my way back from the bank to get some money. Did you eat
yet?
Miss Lee :
No. Did you?
Mr. Wong
Me neither. I'd like to treat you, ok?
Miss Lee:
Sounds good, where shall we go?
Mr. Wong
The Salt-Baked Chicken at the Guangzhou Restaurant is good. Have

you had it?
Miss Lee:
No.
Mr. Wong
Well, let's go try it!.

Mr. Wong
Waiter, we'd like a Salt-Baked Chicken. Mm...Miss Lee, what other
124
LEARN CANTONESE
dishes do you want?
Miss Lee:
Sauteed Chinese Broccoli with Beef, mm...a whole chicken is too much
for the two of us. A half will do. Let's have some Watercress Soup, shall
we?
Mr. Wong:
Ok. You really know how to order dishes. Waiter, can you bring it as
soon as possible, please.
Miss Lee:
It's really good here. I'll have to bring my mother along some time.

Mr. Wong
Waiter, the bill, please.
Waiter:
That'll be 23 dollars, please!
Mr. Wong:
Here's 25 dollars, keep the change.
Miss Lee :
Thanks Mr. Wong, I really appreciate it.
Mr. Wong
You're welcome.
dialogue 14.2.
What kind of soup would you like?
A:
B:
A:
, !
W:
A:
, ?
B:
A:
, , ?
B:
A:
...?
B:
A:
, ,
B:
A:
125
LEARN CANTONESE
B:
A:
! !
A:
N gan jug mhcho g. D yh yauh phng yauh leng.
B:
O. Haih m?
A:
Wi, fgei! Mhgi nih nng go choipai lih tihh l,
W:
Hu. Jauh lih.
A:
Ndouh yuh Gwngdng choi, Seuhnghi choi. Nih sung sihk bn

yeuhng n?
B:
Ngh sung sihh Gwngdng choi. Mhgi nih gaaisiuhhh l.
A:
Gm, dm go yhjy, joi yiu go daaih h. Hu mhhu a?
B:
Hu aak. Giu go Yuhngju chau faahn sihh l.
A:
Mmm...Nih sung oi go myh tng tm n?
B:
Siyuhngchoi tng l.
A:
A, fgei, mhgi ld luhng j heisui lih l.
B:
Mmm, d chau faahn thng daaih h jnhaih mhcho laak.
A:
Sihk dd tm l! Mhhu haakhei a.
B:
Gau la! Djehsaai.
A:
Fgei! Maihdan!
A:
This is a pretty good restaurant. The food's great and it's not too
expensive.
B:
Oh, really?
A:
Waiter! Can we have a menu?
W:
Sure. I'll get you one.
A:
They have Cantonese and Shanghainese food here. Which would you
prefer?
B:
I'd like to try Cantonese food. Can you suggest some dishes?
A:
Well, let's have a Roast Suckling Pig, and then Prawns, shall we?
B:
Ok. Let's try a Yangzhou Fried Rice, too.
A:
Hmm...what soup would you like?
B:
Watercress.
A:
Waiter, and please bring us two bottles of pop.
B:
Mmm, the fried rice and prawns are really great.
126
LEARN CANTONESE
A:
Have some more! Don't be polite.
B:
I've had enough. Thanks a lot!.
A:
Waiter, bill, please!
dialogue 14.3.
What kind of food do you like to eat?
A:
B:
, .
A:
, ?
B:
A:
, , ?
B:
! ?
A:
, ?
B:
A:
A:
Nih jngyi sihk myh n?
B:
Nih wah l, ngh myh du sihk g.
A:
Gm, nih sung sihk Jngchoi ykwaahk sichan n?
B:
Du dk; nih wah l.
A:
Gam, nghdeih heui sihk Gwngdng choi, hu mhhu a?
B:
Hu! Nih j mhj bndouh ge Gwngdng choi husihk a?
A:
Jnggwok Chhluh ge gi hu. Heui gdouh, hu mhhu a?
B:
Hu aak. J mhj ch heui n?
A:
Mhsi la. Jnggwok Chhluh hi deuimihn j. Nghdeih hahng heui

l.
A:
What do you like to eat?
B:
It's up to you. I can eat anything.
127
LEARN CANTONESE
A:
Would you like to eat Chinese food or Western food, then?
B:
Either is fine.
A:
Let's have Cantonese food, then, shall we?
B:
Ok. Do you know a good place for Cantonese food?
A:
The China Tea House is pretty good. Let's go there, shall we?
B:
Ok. Shall we drive?
A:
No need. The China Tea House is just over there. We can walk there.
dialogue 14.4.
It's nearly 12:30 - let's have lunch!
A:
! , ?
B:
A:
B:
(In the restaurant a waiter gives them a menu card:)
A:
, ?
B:
A:
, , ,
B:
,
, ?
A:
! ,
A:
B:
A:
! , , ?
B:
A:
! (She pays the bill, leaving a tip.)
128
LEARN CANTONESE
A:
A! Yhg jauh faai sahpyih dm la. Nghdeih heui sihk aan sn , hu

mhhu a?
B:
Hu aak!
A:
Ndouh jgn yuh gan hu yuh mng ge Gwngdng jug. Ngh

daai nih heui sihh l.
B:
Hu a.

Fgei:
Luhng wi sung dm d myh choi n?
A:
Whng Tai, nih jngyi sihk d myh a?
B:
Ngh mhsk dm g. Nih gaaisiuh gi yeuhng jauh dk la.
A:
Gam, ngh dm gi yeuhng ndouh yuh mng ge bi nih sihh la.

Fgei, yiu go glu yuhk, yt go daaih h, du yiu sige.
B:
Joi yiu yt go jyyuhk tng, hu mhhu a?
A:
Hu aak! Fgei, juhng yiu yt go jyyuhk tng tm. Faaid bo.
Fgei:
Hu.
A:
Whng Tai, sihk dd l.
B:
Gau landouh d choi jnhaih mhcho bo!
A:
Haih a. A! Yhg jauh faai yt dm bun la, nghdeih ju la, hu ma?
B:
Hu aak.
A:
Fgei! Maihdan (She pays the bill, leaving a tip.)
Fgei:
Djehsaai.
A:
It's nearly 12.30! Let's have lunch, shall we?
B:
Sure!
A:
There's a really famous Cantonese restaurant around here I'd like to take
you to.
B:
Ok.

W:
May I take your order?
A:
Mrs Wong, what do you like to eat?
B:
I don't know how to order. Please go ahead.
A:
Well, I'll order some well-known dishes for you to try, then.
Waiter, a Sweet and Sour Pork, and an order of Prawns - make those
129
LEARN CANTONESE
small dishes.
B:
Let's have some Pork Soup, as well, shall we?
A:
Sure! Waiter, add a Pork Soup to that. Hurry, please.
W:
Ok.
A:
Mrs Wong, have some more.
B:
I've had enough, thanks. The food here is really good!
A:
Yes, it is. Oh, it's almost 1.30. Let's go, shall we?
B:
Ok.
A:
Waiter, can we have the bill, please. (She pays the bill, leaving a tip.)
W:
Thank you.
130
15 Asking directions
LEARN CANTONESE
Vocabulary
1. bouhfahn
department (in a store)
2. chng...
please (+ verb); invite
3. chut
out
4. chutheui
go out
5. chutlih
come out
6. chutbihn
outside, exterior
7. d dihnw giu ch
phone for a cab
8. dhi
open (as of a book)
9. daih
ordinal number marker: st, nd, rd, th.
10. daihyt
the first
11. deihh
ground, ground floor
12. dou
suffix to verbs of motion, indicating

arrival at goal
13. duhk
read
14. duhkdou...
read to...
15. fo
lesson
16. gaihu
street opening, i.e. intersection
17. gaish
food market
18. hahng
walk; go
19. hahbihn
()
below; under
20. hi
from
21. heui
attaches to verbs of motion, indicating

direction away from speaker
22. j
verb suf. indicating "accomplishment"
23. Jngwahn Gaish
Central Market
24. lih
V suf: attaches to verbs of motion,

indicating direction towards the speaker
25. luhhah
[floor below] downstairs
26. luhseuhng
[floor above] upstairs
133
LEARN CANTONESE
27. lohk
descend
28. lohkheui
go down
29. louhyhn
pedestrian
30. seuhng
ascend
31. seuhngbihn
above; on top
32. seuhngchi
last time
33. ...sn , yihnhauh...
...first, then...
34. wuhn sam
change clothes
35. yhn
someone
36. yuh
from
37. yihn(j)hauh
afterwards, then
38. yihp
page
134
LEARN CANTONESE
Dialogues
dialogue 15.1
How do I get there?
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
Chng mahn nih, Mihgwok Gngs hi bndouh a?
B:
Hi Dk Douh Jng.
A:
Yuh ndouh dm heui a?
B:
Hi ndouh ytjihk hahng, gwoj daih yih go gaihu, yhnhauh jyun

yauh.
A:
Jyun yauh jhauh n?
B:
Joi ytjihk hahng, gwoj gaish, jauh haih Dk Douh Jng. Heuidou
gdouh, nih jauh tidu ga laak.
A:
Hu, mhgi.
B:
Mhsi mhgi.
A:
Excuse me, where is the American Company?
B:
It's on Des Voeux Rd Central.
A:
How do I get there?
B:
Go two blocks, then turn right.
A:
What then?
135
LEARN CANTONESE
B:
Carry on past the market, then you'll see it.
A:
Ok, thanks.
B:
You're welcome.
dialogue 15.2
Which department does she work in?
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
Chng mahn, Lih Su-lhng Suj hi bndouh a?
B:
Lih Su-lihng, kuih hi bn go bouhfahn jouh sih ga?
A:
Hi maaih langsam g go bouhfahn.
B:
O, haih laak. Kuih wah ngh j yuh wi snsang yiu wn kuih, yhg
kuih hi yahpbihn dng nih.
A:
Gm, ngh hi bndouh yahpheui a?
B:
Hmm...Nih hi ndouh ytjihk hahng, yhnhauh jyunchut jsubihn,

Lih Suj jauh hi gdouh laak.
A:
Mhgisaai.
B:
Mhsi mhgi.
A:
Excuse me, where is Miss Siu Ling Lee?
B:
Which department does she work in?
A:
She's in the sweater department.
136
LEARN CANTONESE
B:
Oh, I know. She told me that a gentleman would be coming to see her.
She's inside waiting for you.
A:
So where do I go in?
B:
Well, go straight ahead and turn left. You'll find her there.
A:
Thanks.
B:
You're welcome.
dialogue 15.3
Excuse me, is Mr Wong at home?

A:
, ?
B:
A:
B:
(Goes up)
A:
, ?
C:
A:
?
,
C:
! ! ?
A:
C:
A:
A:
Chng mahn nih, Whng Snsang hi mhhi douh a?
B:
Bn wi Whng Snsang a?
A:
Whng Whng-yihp Snsang.
B:
Mhhi ndouh bo. Chng nih suhngheui sei lu mahnhh l.
(Goes up)
A:
Chng mahn, Whng Whng-yihp Snsang hi mhhi douh a?
137
LEARN CANTONESE
C:
Nih wn bngo a? Nghdeih ndouh muh sing Whng ge bo.
A:
Haih m? Deuimhjyuh bo. Daahnhaih ngh ngamngam mahngwo yih

lu yt go yhn, kuih wah Whng Whng-yihp jyuh hi sei lu ge bo.
C:
Oh! Whng Whng-yihp! Kuih haih mhhaih gaau Gwngdngw ga?
A:
Muh cho, haih kuih laak.
C:
Kuih jyuh hi sam lu, nih hahng fan lohk heui l.
A:
Hu, mhgisaai.
A:
Excuse me. Is Mr Wong in?
B:
Which Mr Wong?
A:
Wing Yip Wong.
B:
He's not here. Try the fourth floor.
(Goes up)
A:
Excuse me. Is Wing Yip Wong there?
C:
Who are you looking for? There's nobody called Wong here.
A:
No? I'm sorry. But I just asked the guy down on the second floor and he
said Wing Yip Wong lived on the fourth floor.
C:
Oh! Wing Yip Wong! You mean the Cantonese teacher?
A:
Right. That's him.
C:
He lives on the third floor. You'd better go back down there.
A:
Ok, thanks.
dialogue 15.4
Who's teaching you Cantonese these days?

A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
138
LEARN CANTONESE
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
Yhg bngo gaau nih gng Gwngdngw a?
B:
Du haih Jung Sang.
A:
Hohkdou daih gi fo a?
B:
Daih sahpgh fo ge la.
A:
Daih sahpgh fo gng myh ga?
B:
Haih gng heui gngs maih yh g, n fo jnhaih hu yuh yuhng.

Hohkj n fo ngh jauh hyh thng gngs ge fgei gng
Gwngdngw laak.
A:
Haih h.
B:
Haih a! Go fgei juhng wah ngh ge Gwngdngw hu hu tm.
A:
Haih a. Nih ge Gwngdngw haih mhcho aak.
B:
Nih gm gng, ngh jauh jnhaih mhhu yisi la.
A:
Who's teaching you Cantonese now?
B:
It's still Mr. Cheung.
A:
Which lesson are you up to?
B:
Lesson 15.
A:
What's lesson 15 about?
B:
It's about going shopping. It's really useful. After this lesson, I'll be able
to speak Cantonese with the store clerk.
A:
That's right.
B:
Yes, and the clerk also said my Cantonese was very good.
A:
Yes. Your Cantonese is really good.
B:
If you say that, I'll really be embarassed.
139
GLOSSARY
LEARN CANTONESE
CANTONESE - ENGLISH
A
a
ag [go]
h
aak
am (var: ngam)
amam
(var: ngamngam)
am jeuk
(var: ngam jeuk)
aan (var: ngaan)
Aiya!
sen. suf. a (QV) + raised intonation for

liveliness
oh, ah. (a mild exclamation)
sen. suf., to somen abruptness
elder brother
sen. suf. with force of "I suppose."
sen. suf. a (QV) + -k (QV)
fitting, proper, right
exactly
well-fitting (for clothes), fits well
noon, midday
exclamation of consternation
baak
baahk
baahk faahn [wn] [d]
baat
bau
bhb [go]
bt [j]
btgwo
bi
bi
bju [ji] [bi] [jun]
bng [go] [d] [faai]
bn-?
bnbihn?
bndouh?
bngo
Measure for things with handles, such as

umbrellas
hundred
white
boiled or steamed rice
eight
package, Measure for cigarette pack
father
writing implement, either pen or pencil
however; but; although
give
let, allow
beer
cake
which?
which side?
where? [which place?]
whomever, whoever, whichever
143
LEARN CANTONESE
bngo?
-bihn
bu [go]
bo
bohng
bou [fai] [ft]
bouhfahn [go]
bi [jek] [go]
bi
bun
bn
bndeihyhn [go]
()
who?; which person?

side
watch, wristwatch
sen. suf. expressing certainty
pound (weight)
cloth
department (in a store)
a cup, glass
cupful, glass-full (measure of volume)
half
Measure for book
a native of the place under discussion [thisplace-person]
chmhd
chh [bi] [wh]
Chn
chhluh [gan]
chanst [gan]
chang [go]
chau
approximately
tea
Chan (surname)
Cantonese style tea-house
western style restaurant
orange
to toss-fry in small amount of oil, as in
scrambling eggs.
fried rice
fried noodles
chau faahn [wn ] [dihp]

chau mihn [wn ] [dihp]
cht
ch
ch jaahm
chng....
Chng mahn
...
chuihbn
Chuihbn chh l.
cheung
()
seven
vehicle: car, bus, or tram
car stop (bus or tram stop)
please (+ verb); invite
"May I ask...?" Polite form used to preface a
question equivalent to English "Could you
please tell me... ? "
As you wish. At your convenience.
"Sit anywhere you like." Polite phrase used
by host to guest.
change money into smaller denomi-nation
(followed by denomination desired)
144
LEARN CANTONESE
cheunghi
()
chuhng
chuhng sam [gihn]
chut
chutheui
chutlih
chutbihn
chut gai
chi
chn
chhnbihn
chn [d]
chngch
chhngyhng
cho
chh
choi [dihp] [go]
choidan [jung]
choipai [go]
split, break up a large banknote or coin for

ones of lesser denomination (followed by
denomination held)
long (in length)
cheongsaam. Chinese style dress for
women, with high collar and slit skirt
out, emerge
go out
come out
outside, exterior
to go out (from one's own house)
time, occasion
thousand
front side, in front, at the front
money
clear
circumstances, conditions
mistake (v/n)
sit
food; a particular food, a dish
menu of a specific dinner
menu, bill of fare
d
d
d dihnw
d dihnw giu ch
dhi
daai
daai...heui
daai...lai
daaih
daaihd
Daaih Douh Jng
daaihsng
Daaihsngd!
dozen
hit
make a telephone call
phone for a cab
open (as of book)
carry; bring/take something along; bring/take
someone along
take...along
bring...along
large
a little larger
Queen's Road Central
loud (voice)
Speak louder!
145
LEARN CANTONESE
daahnhaih
daap
Daap cho sin
daaphaak [d]
daahp
daahp bun
daahp gi?
daih
daihyt
difu [tuh ]
dikwhn [tuh ]
disam [gihn]
dk
dk...
yuh dk
Dkfuh Douh Jng

Dk meih?
dng
dng Person Verb
dng (yt)jn
or dng ytjahn
deihh
deui
Deuimhjyuh
but
to answer
Wrong number. [connected the wrong line]
(said over the phone)
passenger
tread on. in time expression daahp combines
with the numbers on the clock face to
indicate the 5-minute subdivisions of the
hour. Thus, daahp yt = 5 after, daahp yih =
10 after, etc.
half past (the hour)
how many five minutes past the hour? [tread
on-which number?]
ordinal number marker: -st, -nd, -rd, -th, etc
the first
underpants, undershorts
slip, petticoat
underwear
OK, all right
have only..., only have. (dk with a quantity
phrase as object implies that the quantity is
insufficient.)
available, can. (used between the verb yuh
(or its negative muh) and a second verb,
forms a phrase: "have (or not have)
available for V-ing;" "can ,V."
Des Voeux Road Central
Are you (Is he, etc.) ready?
wait (for)
allow, let Person do something; wait
while Person does something
wait awhile; in a little while
ground, ground floor
pair; group measure for shoes, socks,
chopsticks, things that come in two's
Excuse me; I beg your pardon; I'm sorry.
146
LEARN CANTONESE
deuimihn
d
d
-d
dihnw [go]
dm
dm?
dm bun
dm (jng)
diuhtuh
dd
d
d
Djeh
Djehsaai
du
du
du haih
du + neg. V
dou
-dou
Douh
-douh
-du
duhk
duhkdou ...
duhk sy
...
opposite side, facing; across the street

the; some. (plural M for individual nouns)
a little, some; the. (general M for mass
nouns)
suffixed to Adj. to mean: a little
Adj, somewhat Adj, Adj-er. Attached to
predicate Adj. means: a little too Adj.
telephone
to order (food, by pointing out your
choice from a list.)
how?
1:30 o'clock
o'clock. (represents the hour place in a time
phrase)
turn (a car) around [turn-head]
more (in addition). (follows Verb)
much, many
additional, another, more. (precedes Number
+ M phrase)
Thank you (for gift)
Thank you very much.
also
both; and
really
not even V
arrive
verb suf. to verbs of motion, indicating
arrival at goal
Road (restricted to use following named
road)
place. also see: hi douh
verb suf., indicating successful
accomplishment of the action of the verb.
what is attempted
read aloud; recite; read
read to...
to study
147
LEARN CANTONESE
dyn
short
faahn [wn] [tng]

fan
fan gng
fanheui
fan hohk
fanjyuntuh
fanlih
fan (ng)kki
faai
faaij [deui] [jek] [sung]
fnjng
fnbiht
fo
fgei [go]
fgei [go]
fu [tuh]
fu
fut
rice (cooked)
return (to/from a place you habitually go to)
go [return] to work
go back, return
go to school
turn (the car) around and go back in
the direction you had been, do a U-turn
coming. [return-turn-head] come back, return
(here)
go [return] home
fast
chopstick(s)
minute(s)
difference
lesson
clerk in a grocery store
waiter in a restaurant
trousers, slacks, long pants
pair; M. for eyeglasses
wide
ga
sen. suf: a fusion of noun-forming

boundword ge and sen.suf. a (QV)
ga (var: ge, [g] )
ga
gai [tuh]
gaaisiuh
gaihu [go]
gaish [go]
gai(sk)
gaaklih
gan
()
sen. suf. for matter of fact assertion: "that's a

fact"
M. for vehicles
street
recommend; introduce
street opening; i.e., intersection
food market
explain
next door, adjacent
M. for buildings
148
LEARN CANTONESE
gaau
gaaudou
gaf [bi] [wh]
gi [jek]
gaijuhk
gm
gamseuhngh
gm
Gm,...
gn
gn
gnjyuh
gng [jek]
gau
gauh
gu
Gaulhng
-ge
-ge
ge
teach
teach to...
coffee
chicken
continue
so ( Adj.)
approximately
that way, this way, thus, such a way
"Well then,..."say,..." (Sen. preface,
resuming the thread of previous discussion)
catty. unit of weight equalling 600 gms., ca. 1
lb 5 oz.
follow, come behind
follow, come after
spoon
enough
old (not new)
nine
Kowloon
noun-forming boundword. added to Verb
Phrase makes it a Noun Phrase
as noun substitute
possessive marker, joins with preceding
personal noun or pronoun to form
possessive.
basic; foundation
several
which number?; how many?
rather, quite
what time is it? [which number -o'clock?]
how much?, how many?
quite a lot
what number?
when?
sentence
give (an example)
M. for clothes, such as shirt, dress, raincoat
gibn
gi
gi-?
gi
gidm? (var: gidmjng?)

gid?
gid
gid houh?
gis? (var: gish?)
geui
gui
gihn
149
LEARN CANTONESE
giu
giu ch
giu(jouh)
go
go
()
gg bihn
gd
()
gdouh
gng
gng PERSON j
gng PERSON tng
guhaak [d]
gngs [gan]
...
...
gngyhn [go]
gwai
gwaising?
gwaisingmhng?
gwt
gwo
-gwo
gwod
Gwod tm
Gwokyh
Gwngdng
Gwngdng choi
Gwngdngw
Gwngdngyhn [go]
instruct, tell (someone to do something);

order; call
call a cab
is called, is named
general M. for many nouns
M. for dollar; represents the dollar place in a
money phrase
that; those
over there, on that side
those (in reference to unit nouns); that (in
reference to mass nouns)
there [that-place]
speak
tell sb something
tell sb something
customer
department store; office (of a commercial
company)
servant, laborer
expensive
what is (your) surname? (polite)
what is your surname and given name?
(polite)
quarter (hour)
pass by (a point); cross (a street); go over (to
a place)
V. suf. indicating experience; to have done
something before.
beyond; a little farther on
Go further on; i.e. Keep going. (said to taxi
driver)
Mandarin spoken language [National
language]
Kwangtung, province in SE China
Cantonese food
Cantonese spoken language
Cantonese person, person from Kwangtung
150
LEARN CANTONESE
province
h [jek]
hahbihn
-hh
()
haih [deui] [jek]

hak
haakhei
hahng
haih
haih...lih ge
...
hi PW
hi PW
hi douh
hauhbihn
heisui [ji] [jun] [bi]
heui
-heui
()
heui gai
Hunggng
Hh
hyh
hohk
hohkhaauh [gan]
hohksang [go]
houh
houh
huh(j)
hu
hu
shrimp
below, downstairs
verb suf. giving casual effect to the verb it is
joined to.
shoes
black
polite
go; walk; drive
am, is, are, was, were, etc.
is...; grammatical structure emphasizing
enclosed noun
from PW
location verb, translated as "(is) in/on/at"
(requires PW following)
(he, she, it) is here; is at (this) place
back side; behind, in the back, at the back
soft drink
go
direction away from the speaker
Hong Kong
Ho (sur.)
be permitted, allowed to
study, learn
school
student
number; "size" (for some articles of clothing)
number (for street number in giving an
address)
dime (represents the dime place in a money
expression when the figure is less than a
dollar)
very, quite
well, good
151
LEARN CANTONESE
Hu
Hu aak.
hud
Hu ma?
hu mhhu a?
husihk
husu
huym
ja
j
j ch
jaak
jaahm
jau
jaufan
ji [go]
jinui [d]
jnhaih
jauh
ju
ju [jun] [bi]
judim [gan]
jug [gan]
j
j [b]
je
jejyuh
jek
jeuk
jun
Jung
OK. All right. Fine, Agreed. (Response

phrase indicating agreement.)
OK. Agreed. (Lively response phrase
indicating agreement.)
a lot
Is that OK?
OK? Is (that) all right?
good to eat; tasty
very little
good to drink; tasty
sen. suf: a fusion of sen. suffixes j and a,
implying not much, merely.
to clutch in the hand(s), grab
to drive a car
narrow
stop, station, as in " bus stop," 'train station"
give change
give back change [change-return]
son
children of a family, sons and daughters of a
family
really, indeed
then; and; immediately; soon
leave, depart
alcoholic beverage
hotel
Chinese style restaurant
sen. suf. only, merely; that's all
umbrella
lend, borrow
lend or borrow temporarily
M. for shoe, sock, ship, cup, spoon, chicken
and others
wear; put on (clothes)
accurate; right
Cheung (surname)
152
LEARN CANTONESE
jung
j [jung]
j
j
j(dou)
jdou
jih
M. for banknote, table, chair, newspaper, and

other sheet-shaped objects
banknote; paper
M. for pens, pencils, bottles, and other things
that are small, thin and striplike in size
to know
know (something)
point to
five minutes; written figure; character
jhauh
after
jihgi
self
jip
meet, fetch, pick up a person
ju [jek] [s]
banana
verb suf. indicating accomplishment of the

action
j
jbihn
jgn
joi
joi d lih
joi gng ytchi
joigin
jsubihn
jouh
()
()
left
left
nearby, (t)hereabouts
again
call back (on the phone)
say it again, repeat
goodbye
lefthand side
to do; work; act as
jouh sam
jouh yh
jushn
jng [go]
make clothes, have clothes made

do chores, have a job
good morning
clock
juhng
Jngchoi
Jnggwok choi
Jnggwokyhn
Jngmhn
Jngwahn
(or )
still, in addition, also (+ verb)

Chinese food
Chinese food
Chinese person
Chinese (written) language
Central District (in Hong Kong)
153
LEARN CANTONESE
Jngwahn Gaihsh
jngyi
jng
jyuh
-jyuh
Central Market (in Hong Kong)

like; prefer; like to
type, kind
live, reside
V. suf. indicating temporarily, for a short
time
pork
host, hostess
turn
jyyuhk [gn] [bohng] [d]

jyyhn [wi] [go]
jyun
-k
khmyaht
kmmaih
kuih
kuihdeih
kwhn [tuh ]
glottal stop ending to certain sen. suffixes,

giving sentence a lively air
yesterday
to close, shut (as of books)
he/him, she/her, it
they, them, their
skirt
sen. suf. for polite imperative, polite
suggestion.
sen. suf. la for change + raised intonation for
casualness
sen. suf. indicating change (that change
has occurred, or is about to occur, or may
occur)
sen. suf. to imperative sentence, giving
connotation of friendly advice
sen. suf. la indicating change or potential
change + suffix -k indicating lively mood (la
+ -k = laak)
sweater
example
example, example sentence
for the purpose of
to come
direction towards the speaker
see: haih...lih ge
la
la
laak
langsam [gihn]
laih
laihgeui
lih
lih
-lih
()
...lih ge
154
LEARN CANTONESE
lu
Luh
luhhah
luhseuhng
lh
lhng
Lih
leng
luhng
lihnjaahp [go]
lhng
l
l chn
lohk
lohkheui
louhyhn [go]
luhk
floor, story of a building

Lau (surname)
downstairs
upstairs
sen. suf. for definiteness
"and a little bit" in a time phrase
following dm, thus: -dm lhng jng
= a little after the hour
Li (surname)
pretty; good-looking; good, nice (for
foods)
two; a couple
exercise, drill
zero
fetch, go get (something)
withdraw money (from bank)
to go down; to get off/out of a vehicle
go down
pedestrian
six
ma?
question marker
mhm
mother
mh
Mh
mhtuh [go]
maih
maaih
maaihsaai laak
maih
maihdan
yard (in length)

Ma (surname)
dock; pier; quay
buy
to sell
All sold out.
V. suf. meaning together, close
bill (in a restaurant)
maahn
slow
mn
mahn
mahntih [go] [d]
dollar
ask
question
155
LEARN CANTONESE
Mhnwh Judim
mtyh?
maht [deui] [jek]
m?
myh?
meih
Mihgwok Judim
Mihgwok Nghnhhng
Mihgwokyhn
mng [go]
mhmhcho
mhgnyiu
mhgeidk
mhginj
mhgi
mhgi nih...
mhhaih gi Adj
mhhaih hu Adj
mhhu V
V dk mhhu
mhhu haakhei
mhhu yisi
mhj(dou)...a?
mhsi
mhsi haakhei
...
mhsi la
mhsi mhgi.
Mandarin Hotel
what?
socks
interrogative sen. suf. indicating surprise
what?
neg: not yet
American Hotel (in HK, another name for the
Hong Kong Hilton)
Bank of America
American person
name; for persons = given name (in contrast
to surname)
not
good, "not bad" [not-mistake] (said in
commenting favourably about something)
That's all right; It doesn't matter; Never mind.
forget (not remember)
lose, lost; "nowhere to be seen"
Thank you (for a service)
Please..., Would you please... (sen. preface
preceding a request)
not very Adj, not Adj
not very Adj
don't V (as a command) [not good to...]
badly, not well
"Don't be polite." Polite phrase used by host
to urge guest to have something that he has
just politely declined.
I'm sorry; It's embarrassing. (used in
apologizing for social gaffe)
I wonder...?
no need to, not necessary
[don't need to be polite.] "No thanksI" (to an
offer) "You're welcome." (when someone
thanks you) [Not necessary] No thanks. polite
phrase used in declining a courtesy or a gim.
[Not necessary to (say) thanks]
156
LEARN CANTONESE
You're welcome. Polite response when
someone thanks you for something you have
done for him.
what?
not have, there isn't (aren't)
That's right.
not have available for V-ing; V there's none
to not have available to .;. (used in
combination with following verb)
not much, not many
doorway
myh?
muh
Muh cho
muhdk V
muhgid
mhnhu [go]
nahmphngyuh [go]
Nh!
n?
N!
Nihdun Douh
nih
nihdeih
nui [go]
nuihphngyuh [go]
gh
ngam
ngamjeuk
ngamngam
(var: amam)
ngaan (var. aan)
nghnchn [go]
nghnhhng [gan]
ngn
nghngng [fu]
nghngngdi [go]
ngahp tu
nguhnaih [d]
boyfriend
Here! (expression accompanying giving
something to someone)
interrogative sen. suf.
There! (expression accompanying pointing
out something to someone)
Nathan Road
you, your
you (plu.)
daughter
girlfriend
five
fitting, proper, right
well-fitting (for clothes), fits well
exactly, just
noon, midday
money [silver-money]
bank
coin
eyeglasses
eyeglasses case
nod the head
milk [cow-milk]
157
LEARN CANTONESE
nguhyuhk
[gn] [bohng] [d]
ngh
nghdeih
ngoi (var: oi)
ngoihgwokyhn [go]
beef
ngk (var: k) [gan],

ngkki (var: kki)
n
n bihn
n d
ndouh
njgn
nihng tu
nng
nngheui, nng...heui
nnglih, nng...lih
I , me, my
we, our, us
foreigner [outside-country-person] (in
practice, this word refers to Caucasians only)
house
home
this
this side
these (in reference to individual nouns), this
(in reference to mass nouns)
here [this-place]
close by, hereabouts
shake the head
carry (something)
take, carry something away
bring something here
oi (var: ngoi)
paak
paak ch
phngyuh [go]
phng
phnggw [go]
park (a car)
to park a car
friend
cheap
apple
-saai
sam
sam go gwat
sanngn [d]
Sang
Sichan [go]
sai
saimi [go]
sn
completely
three
three quarters amer the hour
small coins, small change
Mr.
Western meal
small
younger sister
new
158
LEARN CANTONESE
sahp
sahpyt
sahpyih
sauhfoyhn [go]
sudi [go]
ssu
s
sjihluh [gan]
sei
seuhngbihn
seuhngchi
Seuhnghi
Seuhnghi choi
Seuhnghiw
Seuhnghiyhn [go]
sung
()
suhng
sui [bi] [d]
sui bi [jek]
sutsam [gihn]
sgi [go]
si
sihh
sih
Sihdaahn l
shhauh
sk
sk
sk
sihk
sihk (ng)aan
sihk yn
snsang [go]
ten
eleven
twelve
salesclerk [sell-goods-personnel]
(woman's) handbag
a little
write
office [write-words-building]
four
above, upstairs
last time, the previous time
Shanghai
Shanghai food
Shanghainese (spoken language)
Shanghainese (person)
be of a mind to, wish to, would like to, want
to, considering.
(always followed by Verb) ascend
water
water glass
shirt
taxi driver; chauffeur
try
give it a try
business, affair, matter
Phrase used when offered a choice,
meaning: As you wish; Either one; Both
equally preferable.
time
to know someone
know how (to do something)
colour
eat
eat lunch
to smoke [eat-tobacco]
husband
159
LEARN CANTONESE
tng dihnwa
tm
tm
Tnsng Mhtuh
thng
tuh
Tihsan
Tihsanw
Tihsanyhn
tng [go] [wn]
tng mihn [go] [wn]
thng
Thngchoi
tuhsygwn [gan]
thng
thng
thng
talk [listen] on the telephone

sen. suf. indicating speaker is taken by
surprise by a situation contrary to his
expectation
in addition, also, more
Star Ferry Pier
to stop
M. for trousers, ties, and certain other objects
long and narrow
in shape Taishan, a county in Southern
Kwangtung about 100 mi. west of Hong
Kong
Taishan dialect
person from Taishan
soup
soup noodles
sugar
Chinese food
library
and (connects nouns)
on behalf of, for
with
k (var: ngk) [gan]

kkei (var: ngkkei)
house
home
w
w?
waahkj
wah
wah yhn j
wah yhn tng

wi
wi [go]
spoken language; dialect

interrogative sen. suf. calling for repeat of the
preceding sentence
maybe
say; opine
tell me
tell someone (any personal noun or pronoun
can fill
posxtxon; i-ii someone ICll .......
polite M. for persons
a place, seat
161
LEARN CANTONESE
wnjaahp
wn
wn yhn
lih wn yhn
heui wn yhn
wn bnwi a?
to review
look for, search
look someone up
come see someone
go see someone
(on telephone:) "Who do you wish to speak
to?"
Hello! (telephone greeting)
Wi!
Whng n Gngs
Whng
wuihw
wuhn
wuhn sam
wn [go] [jek]
wn
wnji [go] [jekj
Wing On Department Store

Wong (sur.)
conversation
to change. re money, to change into...
(followed by denomination of money
desired); to exchange one national currency
for another (followed by currency desired)
change clothes
bowl (n.)
a bowl of... (in)
small bowl
ym
yhn [go]
yhn [go]
yhnhaak [wai]
yahp
yahpbihn
yahpheui
yt
ytchih
ytchi
yt chi du meih...
yt M du Neg. V
yt go gwt
yt go jih
yt go yt go
ytjihk
[]
......
to drink
person
someone
guest
enter
inside
go in; enter
one
together
once, one time
not even once
not even one...
five minutes; five minutes after the hour
one by one
straight a) in a straight direction b) without
162
LEARN CANTONESE
ytyeuhng
Yahtbn choi
Yahtbnw
Yahtbnyhn
Yahtmn
Yahtmhn
yauh
yauh
yauh V yauh V
yauhbihn
yauhsubihn
yuh...PW
yuhhaak [go]
yuh
yuhdk V
......
()
()
(Yuh) myh sih a?
yuh sh
yh
yh
yeuhng
ysng [go]
yih
yhg
Y!
...ykwaahk...?
yn [bau] [d]
ynji [j]
yhn(j)hauh
Yngmn
Yngmhn
Ynggwokyhn [go]
yihp
()
being interrupted or diverted.

same
Japanese food
Japanese person
right (direction)
both..., and....
right side
right hand side
from PW
tourist
has/have; there is/are
to have available to V, have available for Ving. (used in combination with following
verb)
What is it you want? (on the phone: May I
take a message?)
have something to attend to; have errand,
business
work; chores
things, stuff
kind, type
doctor
two
now, at this moment
Exclamation of distress
..., or...? (connects two verbal expressions)
tobacco
a cigarette
then; immediately afterwards
English language
English language
Englishman, person from England
page
163
LEARN CANTONESE
yhnhaak [wai]
yahp
yahpbihn
yahpheui
yt
ytchih
ytchi
yt chi du meih...
yt M du Neg. V
yt go gwt
yt go jih
yt go yt go
ytjihk
[]
......
ytyeuhng
Yahtbn choi
Yahtbnw
Yahtbnyhn
Yahtmn
Yahtmhn
yauh
yauh
yauh V yauh V
yauhbihn
yauhsubihn
yuh...PW
yuhhaak [go]
yuh
yuhdk V
......
()
()
(Yuh) myh sih a?
yuh sh
yh
yh
guest
enter
inside
go in; enter
one
together
once, one time
not even once
not even one...
five minutes; five minutes after the hour
one by one
straight a) in a straight direction b) without
being interrupted or diverted.
same
Japanese food
Japanese person
right (direction)
both..., and....
right side
right hand side
from PW
tourist
has/have; there is/are
to have available to V, have available for Ving. (used in combination with following
verb)
What is it you want? (on the phone: May I
take a message?)
have something to attend to; have errand,
business
work; chores
things, stuff
163
LEARN CANTONESE
yeuhng
ysng [go]
yih
yhg
Y!
...ykwaahk...?
yn [bau] [d]
ynji [j]
yhn(j)hauh
Yngmn
Yngmhn
Ynggwokyhn [go]
yihp
yiu
yiu
yiu + money expression
()
yiu
y
yhjy [jek]
yhlu [gihn]
yhnbt [j]
yhnjbt [j] [d]
yuhng
kind, type
doctor
two
now, at this moment
Exclamation of distress
..., or...? (connects two verbal expressions)
tobacco
a cigarette
then; immediately afterwards
English language
English language
Englishman, person from England
page
want, require
must; need; have to
want X amount, costs X amount. (i.e., the
asking price is X amount)
going to, intend to
fish
roast suckling pig
raincoat
pencil
ballpoint pen
use
164

Learn Cantonese 1

Hochgeladen von

Dokumentinformationen

Copyright

Verfügbare Formate

Dieses Dokument teilen

Dokument teilen oder einbetten

Freigabeoptionen

Stufen Sie dieses Dokument als nützlich ein?

Sind diese Inhalte unangemessen?

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

Learn Cantonese 1

Hochgeladen von

Copyright:

Verfügbare Formate

LEARN CANTONESE 1

DIALOGUES AND VOCABULARY

This work is licensed under the

dialogue 5.1 ....................................................................................................................................47

is, am, are, were, etc.

That's all right; It doesn't matter; Never

man (see notes); teacher

Mr. (see notes)

have the surname

unmarried woman; woman, lady

married woman (see notes)

Mrs. (see notes)

Lih Tai, jushn.

Deuimhjyuh, ngh mhhaih Lih Tai. Ngh sing Chhn.

A, deuimhjyuh, Chhn Suj.

Good morning, Mr Ho.

Good morning, Mrs Lee.

Excuse me, I'm not Mrs. Lee. My name is Chan.

Oh, excuse me, Miss Chan.

That's all right.

Chhn Sang, jushn.

Deuimhjyuh, ngh mhhaih Chhn Sang. Ngh sing Jung.

A, deuimhjyuh, Jung Sang.

Good morning, Mr Chan.

Excuse me, I'm not Mr. Chan. My name is Cheung.

Oh, excuse me, Mr Cheung.

That's all right.

Chhn Suj, jushn.

Deuimhjyuh, ngh mhhaih Chhn Suj. Ngh sing Whng .

A, deuimhjyuh, Whng Suj.

Good morning, Miss Chan.

Excuse me, I'm not Miss Chan. My name is Wong.

Oh, excuse me, Miss Wong.

That's all right.

Jung Suj jushn.

Deuimhjyu, ngh mhhaih Jung Suj. Ngh sing Lih.

A, deuimhjyuh, Lih Suj.

Good morning, Miss Cheung.

Excuse me, I'm not Miss Cheung. My name is Lee.

Oh, excuse me, Miss Lee.

That's all right.

Deuimhjyuh, ngh mhhaih Hh Sang. Ngh sing Whng.

A, deuimhjyuh, Whng Sang.

Good morning, Mr Ho.

Excuse me, I'm not Mr Ho. My name is Wong.

Oh, excuse me, Mr Wong.

That's all right.

Jung Sang jushn.

Deuimhjyuh, ngh mhhaih Jung Sang. Ngh sing Lih.

A, deuimhjyuh, Lih Sang.

Good morning, Mr Cheung.

Excuse me, I'm not Mr Cheung. My name is Lee.

Oh, excuse me, Mr Lee.

That's all right.

Good Morning, Miss Chan.

Chhn Suj jushn.

Deuimhjyuh, ngh mhhaih Chhn Suj. Ngh sing Luh.

A, deuimhjyuh, Luh Suj.

Good morning, Miss Chan

Excuse me, I'm not Miss Chan. My name is Lau.

Oh, excuse me, Miss Lau.

That's all right.

2 What's your name?

What's your (sur)name? (polite)