Basic Words

1. 係

   hai6

   Yes

   Usage

   The basic affirmative reply; also works when someone checks something with you

2. 唔係

   m4 hai6

   No

   Usage

   The basic negative reply; say it gently to stay polite

3. 唔該

   m4 goi1

   Please

   Usage

   Add it when asking for something; it also works on its own

4. 多謝

   do1 ze6

   Thank you

   Usage

   The basic thank-you when you receive something or get help

5. 唔好意思

   m4 hou2 ji3 si1

   Excuse me

   Usage

   Use to get a stranger's attention or to squeeze past someone

6. 對唔住

   deoi3 m4 zyu6

   Sorry

   Usage

   An apology when you are at fault — bumping into someone, making a mistake

7. 冇問題

   mou5 man6 tai4

   It's OK / I'm fine

   Usage

   Both to wave off an apology and to decline help or concern

8. 我唔明

   ngo5 m4 ming4

   I don't understand

   Usage

   Say this first when the language is not getting through; people will rephrase

9. 我明白喇

   ngo5 ming4 baak6 laa3

   I understand

   Usage

   The reply when you have understood; it also signals agreement

10. 搞掂喇

    gaau2 dim6 laa3

    I'm finished / Done

    Usage

    Tell staff you are done with a meal, a payment, or a procedure

11. 唔該等一等

    m4 goi1 dang2 jat1 dang2

    Please wait

    Usage

    A polite way to ask someone to hold on

12. 等一陣

    dang2 jat1 zan6

    Just a moment

    Usage

    For just a few seconds — while you find your wallet or your bag

13. 一位大人

    jat1 wai2 daai6 jan4

    One adult, please

    Usage

    At a ticket window or entrance, to state how many people

14. 我冇訂位

    ngo5 mou5 deng6 wai2

    I don't have a reservation

    Usage

    Say this first when walking into a restaurant or hotel without booking

15. 我訂咗位

    ngo5 deng6 zo2 wai2

    I have a reservation

    Usage

    At the front desk; follow it with your name

16. 幫幫我

    bong1 bong1 ngo5

    Please help me

    Usage

    Call for help in an emergency — it is fine to shout this

17. 唔該再講一次

    m4 goi1 zoi3 gong2 jat1 ci3

    Once more, please

    Usage

    Ask someone to repeat what they just said

18. 唔該講慢啲

    m4 goi1 gong2 maan6 di1

    Please speak slowly

    Usage

    When someone speaks too fast; people almost always slow down

19. 我識講少少

    ngo5 sik1 gong2 siu2 siu2

    I speak a little

    Usage

    Keeps the conversation going while lowering expectations

20. 你識唔識講英文？

    nei5 sik1 m4 sik1 gong2 jing1 man2?

    Do you speak English?

    Usage

    Check for a shared language when you need to discuss something complicated

21. 呢個

    ni1 go3

    This one

    Usage

    For something within reach — show it while pointing at a menu item or product

22. 嗰個

    go2 go3

    That one

    Usage

    Cantonese has no near/far split for "that" — anything away from the speaker is "go2 go3"

23. 呢度

    ni1 dou6

    Here

    Usage

    Point at a map or at where you are standing

24. 嗰度

    go2 dou6

    There

    Usage

    Cantonese does not split "there" by distance — any place away from you is "go2 dou6"

25. 我

    ngo5

    I / me

    Usage

    Point at yourself to mark who you mean, e.g. whose order it is

26. 你

    nei5

    You

    Usage

    Point at the other person to mark who you mean

27. 一齊

    jat1 cai4

    Together

    Usage

    HK says "jat1 cai4", not the Mandarin "yīqǐ" — for sitting, going, or paying together

Browse all TravelPhrases languages