Basic Verbs

1. 去

   heoi3

   To go

   Usage

   The basic movement verb; point at your destination as you say it

2. 嚟

   lai4

   To come

   Usage

   For asking someone to come over, or talking about arrivals

3. 食

   sik6

   To eat

   Usage

   The basic verb for anything to do with eating

4. 飲

   jam2

   To drink

   Usage

   For ordering drinks and for taking medicine

5. 買

   maai5

   To buy

   Usage

   The basic verb for shopping

6. 睇

   tai2

   To see

   Usage

   For sightseeing and for asking to look at goods

7. 等

   dang2

   To wait

   Usage

   For meeting up and for queueing

8. 我想去

   ngo5 soeng2 heoi3

   I want to go

   Usage

   State where you are heading; add a place name and it works in a taxi

9. 我想食

   ngo5 soeng2 sik6

   I want to eat

   Usage

   Say what you would like to eat; follow it with the dish name

10. 我要呢個

    ngo5 jiu3 ni1 go3

    I want it

    Usage

    Point at what you want; works for both shopping and ordering

11. 唔使喇

    m4 sai2 laa3

    I don't need it

    Usage

    Declining a bag, a straw, or a sales pitch

12. 我搵緊

    ngo5 wan2 gan2

    I'm looking for it

    Usage

    Say it and then name the place or item you are looking for

13. 我有

    ngo5 jau5

    I have it

    Usage

    Tell someone you already have the booking, ticket, or cash

14. 我冇

    ngo5 mou5

    I don't have it

    Usage

    Say you have no cash, no change, or no ticket

15. 我要攞錢

    ngo5 jiu3 lo2 cin2

    I'll withdraw money

    Usage

    When you are looking for an ATM or explaining you need cash

16. 我要訂位

    ngo5 jiu3 deng6 wai2

    I'll make a reservation

    Usage

    To say you want to book a table, a room, or a tour

17. 唔該幫我

    m4 goi1 bong1 ngo5

    Please help me with it

    Usage

    For asking help with a concrete task — bags, a machine, a form

18. 唔該話我知

    m4 goi1 waa6 ngo5 zi1

    Please tell me

    Usage

    For asking someone to tell you the way, the time, or how to do something

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