Greetings

1. 你好

   nei5 hou2

   Hello

   Usage

   Basic greeting usable at any time of day

   Grammar Note

   Literally "you good". The most basic Cantonese greeting. Works for all occasions and ages.

2. 早晨

   zou2 san4

   Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting commonly used in Hong Kong

   Grammar Note

   Literally "early morning". The standard Cantonese morning greeting, equivalent to Mandarin "早上好".

3. 唔該

   m4 goi1

   Thank you (for a service) / Excuse me

   Usage

   Used to thank someone for a service or to get attention. Use "多謝" when receiving a gift.

   Grammar Note

   Literally "you shouldn't have". Used both as thanks for services rendered and as "excuse me" to get attention.

4. 多謝

   do1 ze6

   Thank you (for a gift or favour)

   Usage

   Used when receiving a gift, compliment, or personal favour

   Grammar Note

   "多謝" is specifically for gifts and personal favours, while "唔該" is for services. This distinction is unique to Cantonese.

5. 再見

   zoi3 gin3

   Goodbye

   Usage

   Standard farewell greeting

   Grammar Note

   Literally "see you again". Shared characters with Mandarin but pronounced very differently in Cantonese.

6. 你好嗎？

   nei5 hou2 maa3?

   How are you?

   Usage

   Asked when greeting an acquaintance

   Grammar Note

   A sentence-final "嗎 (maa3)" is a Mandarin-style question marker, used in Cantonese mostly in writing or lyrics. In conversation "你好呀？ (nei5 hou2 aa3)" is more natural. Reply with "我好好 (ngo5 hou2 hou2)" meaning "I'm fine".

7. 對唔住

   deoi3 m4 zyu6

   I'm sorry / Excuse me

   Usage

   Used to apologise or to ask someone to move aside

   Grammar Note

   Cantonese equivalent of Mandarin "對不起". Literally "cannot face you", implying deep regret.

8. 唔緊要

   m4 gan2 jiu3

   No problem / It's okay

   Usage

   Response to an apology or to reassure someone

   Grammar Note

   Literally "not important". The Cantonese equivalent of "沒關係" (no problem). Very common reassurance phrase.

9. 歡迎光臨

   fun1 jing4 gwong1 lam4

   Welcome

   Usage

   Used by staff to welcome guests to a shop or venue

   Grammar Note

   "光臨" literally means "to illuminate with your presence" — a formal way to say "your arrival". Standard commercial greeting in HK.

10. 晚安

    maan5 on1

    Good night

    Usage

    Used when parting at night or before going to sleep

    Grammar Note

    Literally "peaceful night". Same characters as Mandarin but with distinct Cantonese tones and pronunciation.

11. 廁所喺邊度？

    ci3 so2 hai2 bin1 dou6?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Essential Cantonese phrase for asking where the restroom is in Hong Kong or Macau

    Grammar Note

    "喺 (hai2)" is the Cantonese locative verb equivalent to Mandarin "在". "邊度 (bin1 dou6)" means "where" in Cantonese, equivalent to Mandarin "哪裡"

12. 我唔識講粵語

    ngo5 m4 sik1 gong2 jyut6 jyu5

    I can't speak Cantonese

    Usage

    Used to inform someone you cannot speak Cantonese — helpful for non-Cantonese visitors in Hong Kong

    Grammar Note

    "唔識 (m4 sik1)" means "cannot / don't know how to" in Cantonese, equivalent to Mandarin "不會". "唔" is the Cantonese negative particle corresponding to Mandarin "不"

13. 我會再嚟

    ngo5 wui5 zoi3 lei4

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop — a friendly way to signal you enjoyed it

14. 我玩得好開心

    ngo5 waan2 dak1 hou2 hoi1 sam1

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting, to share how much you enjoyed it

15. 多謝，拜拜

    do1 ze6, baai1 baai3

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell for someone you've become friendly with

16. 早唞

    zou2 tau2

    Good night

    Usage

    A colloquial bedtime phrase, more specific to sleep than "晚安"

17. 我出去先

    ngo5 ceot1 heoi3 sin1

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Said when leaving your lodging for a while

18. 我返嚟喇

    ngo5 faan1 lei4 laa3

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to your lodging

19. 我要走先

    ngo5 jiu3 zau2 sin1

    I'll be going now

    Usage

    A polite phrase for excusing yourself when leaving before others

20. 唔使客氣

    m4 sai2 haak3 hei3

    You're welcome

    Usage

    A reply when someone thanks you

Browse all TravelPhrases languages