你好
nei5 hou2
HelloContext & reading
nei5 hou2
A straightforward greeting, especially when meeting someone. With people you know, a greeting that fits the moment can feel more natural.
Cantonese sounds. Useful words. Your next conversation.
Everyday Cantonese phrases to study.
Study useful Cantonese greetings and everyday phrases with Jyutping readings, meanings and context. Hide the readings to practise recall or print your study cards.
A small phrasebook for everyday moments: 12 expressions with Jyutping, meaning and context. Start with two or three. Read them, cover the readings and try to recall them before checking.
These are useful starting points, not scripts for every situation. Politeness, relationship and tone of voice affect how a phrase sounds. Use the notes to choose an expression that fits the moment.
Everyday Cantonese · phrase study cards
Read, cover and recall · i2Bopomo
早晨
zou2 san4
Good morningContext & reading
zou2 san4
Use this in the morning when greeting a colleague, neighbour or shopkeeper.
再見
zoi3 gin3
GoodbyeContext & reading
zoi3 gin3
A clear, general farewell. Informal conversations also use other leave-taking expressions.
多謝
do1 ze6
Thank youContext & reading
do1 ze6
Commonly used for a gift, a compliment or a substantial gesture. The situation matters; it is not interchangeable with 唔該 in every context.
唔該
m4 goi1
Thanks; excuse me; pleaseContext & reading
m4 goi1
Useful when someone provides a service or small favour. It can also get attention politely before a request.
唔好意思
m4 hou2 ji3 si1
Excuse me; sorryContext & reading
m4 hou2 ji3 si1
Use for a small interruption or embarrassment. A serious apology needs more than a stock phrase.
幾多錢
gei2 do1 cin2
How much?Context & reading
gei2 do1 cin2
Ask the price of something in context. You can get attention with 唔該 first.
飲水
jam2 seoi2
Drink waterContext & reading
jam2 seoi2
A short verb–object phrase. It gives you two useful words to recognize and reuse.
食飯
sik6 faan6
Eat; have a mealContext & reading
sik6 faan6
飯 can refer to cooked rice or, in a phrase like this, a meal. Notice the final k in 食.
我唔明
ngo5 m4 ming4
I do not understandContext & reading
ngo5 m4 ming4
Use when the meaning is unclear. The short syllable 唔 m4 makes the statement negative.
慢慢講
maan6 maan2 gong2
Speak slowlyContext & reading
maan6 maan2 gong2
Use in a request for a slower pace. The repeated 慢慢 commonly changes the second syllable to tone 2; learn the phrase reading together.
廣東話
gwong2 dung1 waa2
CantoneseContext & reading
gwong2 dung1 waa2
A common name for the language. The final syllable has a changed-tone reading waa2 in this word.
Read the whole phrase with its tone numbers. 唔該 often thanks someone for a service or small favour; 多謝 often thanks someone for a gift or substantial gesture. Context matters. Tone 2 in gwong2 dung1 waa2 廣東話 is a common changed-tone reading. i2Bopomo · Cantonese phrases
Two ways to say thank you
多謝 · do1 ze6 is common when receiving a gift or a compliment. 唔該 · m4 goi1 often fits a service or small favour, such as someone passing you an item.
唔該 also helps you get attention politely before a request. The English word “thanks” does not capture every use, so practise each expression with a situation.
A five-minute study routine
- Choose three cards.Read the characters, Jyutping and context together.
- Cover the readings.Try recalling each syllable and its tone. Open “Context & reading” when you need a hint.
- Type one expression.Use the Cantonese keyboard, choose the characters and check the meaning again.
The practice tool checks written readings. For pronunciation, add listening and feedback from a Cantonese speaker or course.
Reference checks: Linguistic Society of Hong Kong · Jyutping scheme, Jyutping questions and Jyutping sound reference. Explanations, study activities and diagrams here are original i2Bopomo learning material.
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Learn Cantonese
Cantonese practicePractice Jyutping readings for useful Cantonese words. Enter letters and tone numbers, use a hint when needed, and check your answers as you learn.
Cantonese tonesLearn the six Jyutping tone numbers with simple pitch diagrams, understand short p, t and k endings, and check your reading with small exercises.
Cantonese typing lessonType your first Cantonese words using Jyutping. Enter a reading, choose the Chinese characters and learn the shortcuts used by the i2Bopomo keyboard.