CANTONESE GRAMMAR

1- CANTONESE LETTERS

JYUTPING:

b    p in "spin"   巴 baa1

p    p in "pen"   怕 paa3

m    m in "man"   媽 maa1

f    f in "fan"   花 faa1

d    t in "stop"   打 daa2

t    t in "top"   他 taa1

n    n in "no"   你 nei5

l    l in "look"   老 lou5

g    k in "skate"   家 gaa1

k    k in "key"   卡 kaa1

ng   ng in "sing" (also at beginning)   我 ngo5

h    h in "hat"   好 hou2

gw   "gw" sound   瓜 gwaa1

kw   "kw" sound   誇 kwaa1

w    w in "water"   話 waa6

z    ts in "cats"   早 zou2

c    ch in "church"   茶 caa4

s    s in "see"   三 saam1

j    y in "yes"   人 jan4

aa   long "a"   家 gaa1

a    short "a"   一 jat1

i    "ee"   試 si3

u    "oo"   夫 fu1

e    "eh"   爹 de1

o    "o"   多 do1

oe   French "eu" sound   靴 hoe1

eo   similar to "uh"   掉 diu6

COMMON FINAL SOUNDS

ai: 佳 gaai1    good

au: 包 baau1    package

am: 三 saam1    three

an: 山 saan1    mountain

ang: 生 saang1    born

ap: 急 gap1    urgent

at: 八 baat3    eight

ak: 客 haak3    guest

oi: 愛 oi3    love

ou: 高 gou1    tall

on: 看 hon3    look

ong: 江 gong1    river

uk: 屋 uk1    house

ung: 工 gung1    work

CANTONESE TONES:

si1 (high and flat) 詩   poem

si2 (rising) 史   history

si3 (mid flat) 試   try

si4 (low falling) 時   time

si5 (low rising) 市   market

si6 (low flat) 事   matter

CANTONESE CHARACTERS:

2- WORD ORDER:

1 Basic S + V S + V 我瞓覺。 ngo5 fan3 gaau3 I sleep.

2 Direct object S + V + DO S + V + DO 我睇書。 ngo5 tai2 syu1 I read the book.

3 Indirect object S + 畀 + IO + DO S + bei2 + IO + DO 我畀佢本書。 ngo5 bei2 keoi5 bun2 syu1 I give him the book.

4 Beneficiary S + 為 + person + V S + wai6 + person + V 我為佢買本書。 ngo5 wai6 keoi5 maai5 bun2 syu1 I buy a book for him.

5 IO pronoun S + 畀 + IO + DO S + bei2 + IO + DO 我畀佢本書。 ngo5 bei2 keoi5 bun2 syu1 I give him the book.

6 Adjective S + Adj S + Adj 本書好大。 bun2 syu1 hou2 daai6 The book is big.

7 Adverb S + Adv + V S + Adv + V 佢快快咁睇書。 keoi5 faai3 faai3 gam2 tai2 syu1 He reads quickly.

8 DO + adverb S + DO + Adv + V S + DO + Adv + V 我本書睇得好快。 ngo5 bun2 syu1 tai2 dak1 hou2 faai3 I read the book quickly.

9 Time S + Time + V S + Time + V 我今日返工。 ngo5 gam1 jat6 faan1 gung1 I work today.

10 Place S + Place + V S + Place + V 佢住喺嗰度。 keoi5 zyu6 hai2 go2 dou6 He lives there.

11 Prepositional phrase N + 喺 + Location N + hai2 + Location 本書喺張枱上面。 bun2 syu1 hai2 zoeng1 toi2 soeng6 min6 The book is on the table.

12 DO + location S + DO + 喺 + Location + V S + DO + hai2 + Location + V 我將本書放喺張枱上面。 ngo5 zoeng1 bun2 syu1 fong3 hai2 zoeng1 toi2 soeng6 min6 I put the book on the table.

13 Determiner + noun Det + N Det + N 呢本書係新嘅。 ni1 bun2 syu1 hai6 san1 ge3 This book is new.

14 Det + adjective + noun Det + N + Adj + 嘅 Det + N + Adj + ge3 呢本大書係新嘅。 ni1 bun2 daai6 syu1 hai6 san1 ge3 This big book is new.

15 Numeral + noun Num + CL + N Num + CL + N 兩本書係新嘅。 loeng5 bun2 syu1 hai6 san1 ge3 Two books are new.

16 Conjunction Clause + 同埋 + Clause Clause + tung4 maai4 + Clause 我睇書，同埋佢寫信。 ngo5 tai2 syu1, tung4 maai4 keoi5 se2 seon3 I read and he writes a letter.

17 Conjunction + objects S + DO + V + 然後 + S + DO + V S + DO + V + jin4 hau6 + S + DO + V 我睇本書，然後佢寫信。 ngo5 tai2 bun2 syu1, jin4 hau6 keoi5 se2 seon3 I read the book, and then he writes a letter.

18 Present passive DO + 畀 + Agent + V DO + bei2 + Agent + V 本書畀人睇。 bun2 syu1 bei2 jan4 tai2 The book is read.

19 Passive + agent DO + 畀 + Agent + V DO + bei2 + Agent + V 本書畀佢睇。 bun2 syu1 bei2 keoi5 tai2 The book is read by him.

20 Passive + IO DO + 畀 + Agent + V + 畀 + IO DO + bei2 + Agent + V + bei2 + IO 本書畀老師畀咗佢。 bun2 syu1 bei2 lou5 si1 bei2 zo2 keoi5 The book was given to him by the teacher.

21 Passive + IO + agent DO + 畀 + Agent + V + 畀 + IO DO + bei2 + Agent + V + bei2 + IO 本書畀老師畀咗學生。 bun2 syu1 bei2 lou5 si1 bei2 zo2 hok6 saang1 The book was given to the student by the teacher.

22 Passive + adverb DO + 畀 + Agent + Adv + V DO + bei2 + Agent + Adv + V 本書今日畀佢睇。 bun2 syu1 gam1 jat6 bei2 keoi5 tai2 The book is read by him today.

23 Passive + location DO + 畀 + Agent + V + 喺 + Location DO + bei2 + Agent + V + hai2 + Location 本書畀佢放喺張枱上面。 bun2 syu1 bei2 keoi5 fong3 hai2 zoeng1 toi2 soeng6 min6 The book is put on the table by him.

24 Passive + agent + adverb DO + 今日 + 畀 + Agent + V DO + gam1 jat6 + bei2 + Agent + V 本書今日畀佢睇。 bun2 syu1 gam1 jat6 bei2 keoi5 tai2 The book is read by him today.

25 Passive + IO + agent + adverb DO + Time + 畀 + Agent + V + 畀 + IO DO + Time + bei2 + Agent + V + bei2 + IO 本書今日畀老師畀咗學生。 bun2 syu1 gam1 jat6 bei2 lou5 si1 bei2 zo2 hok6 saang1 The book was given to the student by the teacher today.

26 Perfect passive DO + 畀 + Agent + V + 咗 DO + bei2 + Agent + V + zo2 本書畀人睇咗。 bun2 syu1 bei2 jan4 tai2 zo2 The book has been read.

27 Perfect + agent DO + 畀 + Agent + V + 咗 DO + bei2 + Agent + V + zo2 本書畀佢睇咗。 bun2 syu1 bei2 keoi5 tai2 zo2 The book has been read by him.

28 Future passive DO + 會 + 畀 + Agent + V DO + wui5 + bei2 + Agent + V 本書會畀佢睇。 bun2 syu1 wui5 bei2 keoi5 tai2 The book will be read by him.

29 Future passive + agent DO + 會 + 畀 + Agent + V DO + wui5 + bei2 + Agent + V 本書會畀佢睇。 bun2 syu1 wui5 bei2 keoi5 tai2 The book will be read by him.

30 Modal passive DO + 要 + 畀 + Agent + V DO + jiu3 + bei2 + Agent + V 本書要畀人睇。 bun2 syu1 jiu3 bei2 jan4 tai2 The book must be read.

31 Negative S + 唔 + V S + m4 + V 我唔睇本書。 ngo5 m4 tai2 bun2 syu1 I do not read the book.

32 Negative passive DO + 唔 + 畀 + Agent + V DO + m4 + bei2 + Agent + V 本書唔畀佢睇。 bun2 syu1 m4 bei2 keoi5 tai2 The book is not allowed to be read by him.

33 Yes/no question S + DO + V + 咩？ S + DO + V + me1? 你睇唔睇本書？ nei5 tai2 m4 tai2 bun2 syu1? Do you read the book?

34 Passive question DO + 畀 + Agent + V + 咩？ DO + bei2 + Agent + V + me1? 本書畀人睇咩？ bun2 syu1 bei2 jan4 tai2 me1? Is the book read?

35 Agent question DO + 邊個 + V + 呀？ DO + bin1 go3 + V + aa3? 本書邊個睇㗎？ bun2 syu1 bin1 go3 tai2 gaa3? Who reads the book?

36 IO question 畀邊個 + DO + V？ bei2 bin1 go3 + DO + V? 你畀邊個本書？ nei5 bei2 bin1 go3 bun2 syu1? Who do you give the book to?

37 Imperative V + 啦 V + laa1 睇本書啦。 tai2 bun2 syu1 laa1 Read the book!

38 Imperative + IO 畀 + IO + DO + 啦 bei2 + IO + DO + laa1 畀佢本書啦。 bei2 keoi5 bun2 syu1 laa1 Give him the book!

39 Passive imperative 要 + DO + 畀 + Agent + V jiu3 + DO + bei2 + Agent + V 要本書畀人睇。 jiu3 bun2 syu1 bei2 jan4 tai2 The book needs to be read.

40 Infinitive V + 去 + Verb / V + 嚟 + Verb V + heoi3 + Verb / V + lai4 + Verb 去睇書 heoi3 tai2 syu1 to go read / to read

41 Infinitive + DO V + DO V + DO 睇本書 tai2 bun2 syu1 to read the book

42 Passive infinitive 畀 + Agent + V bei2 + Agent + V 畀人睇 bei2 jan4 tai2 to be read

43 Purpose S + 為咗 + V S + wai6 zo2 + V 我食飯為咗玩。 ngo5 sik6 faan6 wai6 zo2 waan2 I eat in order to play.

44 Relative clause Relative clause + 嘅 + N Relative clause + ge3 + N 我睇嘅書好有趣。 ngo5 tai2 ge3 syu1 hou2 jau5 ceoi3 The book that I read is interesting.

45 Passive relative 畀 + Agent + V + 嘅 + N bei2 + Agent + V + ge3 + N 畀佢睇嘅書好有趣。 bei2 keoi5 tai2 ge3 syu1 hou2 jau5 ceoi3 The book that was read by him is interesting.

46 Conditional 如果 + Clause，就 + Clause jyu4 gwo2 + Clause, zau6 + Clause 如果有時間，我就睇書。 jyu4 gwo2 jau5 si4 gaan3, ngo5 zau6 tai2 syu1 If I have time, I will read.

47 Conditional + passive 如果 + DO + 畀 + Agent + V，就 + Clause jyu4 gwo2 + DO + bei2 + Agent + V, zau6 + Clause 如果本書畀佢睇，佢就會學到嘢。 jyu4 gwo2 bun2 syu1 bei2 keoi5 tai2, keoi5 zau6 wui5 hok6 dou2 je5 If the book is read by him, he will learn something.

48 Reported speech S + Clause + 話 + Clause S + Clause + waa6 + Clause 佢話佢睇書。 keoi5 waa6 keoi5 tai2 syu1 He says that he reads.

49 Reported question S + 問 + Clause S + man6 + Clause 佢問我睇唔睇書。 keoi5 man6 ngo5 tai2 m4 tai2 syu1 He asks whether I read the book.

50 Reported command S + 叫 + person + V S + giu3 + person + V 佢叫我睇書。 keoi5 giu3 ngo5 tai2 syu1 He tells me to read.

ADVERBS:

1 Manner Adverb + Verb / usually before verb 我快快噉讀本書。 ngo5 faai3 faai3 gam2 duk6 bun2 syu1. I read the book quickly.

2 Place Place expression + Verb / usually before verb 我喺屋企睇本書。 ngo5 hai2 uk1 kei2 tai2 bun2 syu1. I read the book at home.

3 Time Time expression + Sentence / usually beginning 我尋日睇咗本書。 ngo5 cam4 jat6 tai2 zo2 bun2 syu1. I read the book yesterday.

4 Frequency Frequency adverb + Verb / usually before verb 我成日睇書。 ngo5 seng4 jat6 tai2 syu1. I often read books.

5 Frequency + be Frequency adverb + 係 + Predicate 佢成日都好開心。 keoi5 seng4 jat6 dou1 hou2 hoi1 sam1. He/She is always happy.

6 Frequency + auxiliary Frequency adverb + 有 + Verb / aspect 我從來冇睇過呢本書。 ngo5 cung4 loi4 mou5 tai2 gwo3 ni1 bun2 syu1. I have never read this book.

7 Degree Degree adverb + Adjective 呢本書非常好。 ni1 bun2 syu1 fei1 soeng4 hou2. This book is very good.

8 Degree + verb Degree adverb + Verb 我真係鍾意呢本書。 ngo5 zan1 hai6 zung1 ji3 ni1 bun2 syu1. I really like this book.

9 Sentence adverb Sentence adverb + Clause / usually beginning 好彩，我贏咗。 hou2 coi2, ngo5 jeng4 zo2. Fortunately, I won.

10 Comment adverb Comment expression + Clause / usually beginning 老實講，我唔知。 lou5 sat6 gong2, ngo5 m4 zi1. Honestly, I don't know.

11 Linking adverb Linking expression + Clause / usually beginning 我好攰，不過我繼續做嘢。 ngo5 hou2 gui6, bat1 gwo3 ngo5 gai3 zuk6 zou6 je5. I was tired; however, I continued working.

12 Direction Direction word + Verb / usually after verb 佢行咗出去。 keoi5 haang4 zo2 ceot1 heoi3. He/She went outside.

13 Definite frequency Definite time expression + Verb 我每日都去嗰度。 ngo5 mui5 jat6 dou1 heoi3 go2 dou6. I go there every day.

14 Duration Duration expression + Verb 我讀咗兩個鐘書。 ngo5 duk6 zo2 loeng5 go3 zung1 syu1. I studied for two hours.

15 Purpose Verb + 嘅 (go2) + purpose / 去 (heoi3) + Verb 我去嗰度讀書。 ngo5 heoi3 go2 dou6 duk6 syu1. I went there to study.

INDIRECT OBJECT:

Give S + 畀 + IO + DO S + bei2 + IO + DO 我畀你一本書。 ngo5 bei2 nei5 jat1 bun2 syu1 I give you a book.

Give to S + V + DO + 畀 + IO S + V + DO + bei2 + IO 我買書畀你。 ngo5 maai5 syu1 bei2 nei5 I buy a book for you.

Teach S + 教 + IO + DO S + gaau3 + IO + DO 老師教我中文。 lou5 si1 gaau3 ngo5 zung1 man4 The teacher teaches me Chinese.

Ask S + 問 + IO + DO S + man6 + IO + DO 我問你問題。 ngo5 man6 nei5 man6 tai4 I ask you a question.

Tell S + 話 + IO + 知 + information S + waa6 + IO + zi1 + information 我話你知件事。 ngo5 waa6 nei5 zi1 gin6 si6 I tell you something.

Buy for S + V + DO + 畀 + IO S + V + DO + bei2 + IO 我買花畀你。 ngo5 maai5 faa1 bei2 nei5 I buy flowers for you.

Help S + 幫 + IO + V S + bong1 + IO + V 我幫你做。 ngo5 bong1 nei5 zou6 I help you do it.

With S + 同 + person + V S + tung4 + person + V 我同你去。 ngo5 tung4 nei5 heoi3 I go with you.

For S + 為 + person + V S + wai6 + person + V 我為你做。 ngo5 wai6 nei5 zou6 I do it for you.

GENITIVE:

Basic genitive Possessor + 嘅 + N Possessor + ge3 + N 我嘅書 ngo5 ge3 syu1 my book

Noun possession N + 嘅 + N N + ge3 + N 書嘅封面 syu1 ge3 fung1 min6 the book's cover

Name possession Name + 嘅 + N Name + ge3 + N 阿明嘅車 aa3 ming4 ge3 ce1 Ah Ming's car

Pronoun possession Pronoun + 嘅 + N Pronoun + ge3 + N 佢嘅書 keoi5 ge3 syu1 his/her book

Independent possessive N + 係 + Possessor + 嘅 N + hai6 + Possessor + ge3 本書係我嘅 bun2 syu1 hai6 ngo5 ge3 The book is mine

Body-part possession Possessor + classifier + N Possessor + classifier + N 我隻手 ngo5 zek3 sau2 my hand

INDEPENDENT POSSESSIVE:

mine 我 我嘅 ngo5 ge3 本書係我嘅。 bun2 syu1 hai6 ngo5 ge3

yours 你 你嘅 nei5 ge3 本書係你嘅。 bun2 syu1 hai6 nei5 ge3

his / hers 佢 佢嘅 keoi5 ge3 本書係佢嘅。 bun2 syu1 hai6 keoi5 ge3

ours 我哋 我哋嘅 ngo5 dei6 ge3 本書係我哋嘅。 bun2 syu1 hai6 ngo5 dei6 ge3

yours (plural) 你哋 你哋嘅 nei5 dei6 ge3 本書係你哋嘅。 bun2 syu1 hai6 nei5 dei6 ge3

theirs 佢哋 佢哋嘅 keoi5 dei6 ge3 本書係佢哋嘅。 bun2 syu1 hai6 keoi5 dei6 ge3

WAS GOING TO:

S + 諗住 [nam2 zyu6] + V

I 我諗住去 ngo5 nam2 zyu6 heoi3 I was going to go

You 你諗住去 nei5 nam2 zyu6 heoi3 You were going to go

He/She 佢諗住去 keoi5 nam2 zyu6 heoi3 He/She was going to go

We 我哋諗住去 ngo5 dei6 nam2 zyu6 heoi3 We were going to go

You plural 你哋諗住去 nei5 dei6 nam2 zyu6 heoi3 You were going to go

They 佢哋諗住去 keoi5 dei6 nam2 zyu6 heoi3 They were going to go

was about to 就快 + V zau6 faai3 + V very soon / nearly

was about to 就要 + V zau6 jiu3 + V on the point of

was just about to 正要 + V zing3 jiu3 + V just about to

A USEFUL way of saying was going to (when the plan existed in the past, especially when it did not happen.):

S + 本來 [bun2 loi4] + 想/諗住 [soeng2/nam2 zyu6] + V

ngo5 bun2 loi4 nam2 zyu6 heoi3 leoi5 hang4. I was originally going to travel.

2- NOUNS

SINGULAR:

書 syu1 book

PLURAL:

啲書 di1 syu1 books

CLASSIFERS:

個   go3 General objects / people   一個人   jat1 go3 jan4   one person

位   wai2 Polite/respectful people   一位先生   jat1 wai2 sin1 saang1   one gentleman / Mr.

本   bun2 Books   一本書   jat1 bun2 syu1   one book

張   zoeng1 Flat objects (paper, tables, tickets)   一張紙   jat1 zoeng1 zi2   one piece of paper

條   tiu4 Long objects (fish, roads, ropes)   一條魚   jat1 tiu4 jyu4   one fish

隻   zek3 Animals / some paired objects   一隻狗   jat1 zek3 gau2   one dog

架   gaa3 Vehicles / machines   一架車   jat1 gaa3 ce1   one car

部   bou6 Electronics / machines   一部手機   jat1 bou6 sau2 gei1   one mobile phone

杯   bui1 Cups / drinks   一杯茶   jat1 bui1 caa4   one cup of tea

瓶   peng4 Bottles   一瓶水   jat1 peng4 seoi2   one bottle of water

碗   wun2 Bowls   一碗飯   jat1 wun2 faan6   one bowl of rice

件   gin6 Clothes / items   一件衫   jat1 gin6 saam1   one piece of clothing / one shirt

間   gaan1 Buildings / rooms / shops   一間屋   jat1 gaan1 uk1   one house

座   zo6 Large structures / mountains   一座山   jat1 zo6 saan1   one mountain

種   zung2 Types / kinds   一種語言   jat1 zung2 jyu5 jin4   one type of language

CASES:

Nominative   Subject   Noun + 係/Verb + description   noun + hai6 / verb + description   The book is new   書係新嘅   syu1 hai6 san1 ge3

Accusative   Direct object   Subject + Verb + Noun   subject + verb + noun   I read the book   我睇書   ngo5 tai2 syu1

Dative   Receiver   Subject + Verb + person + thing   subject + bei2 + person + thing   I give him the book   我畀佢本書   ngo5 bei2 keoi5 bun2 syu1

Genitive   Possession   Possessor + 嘅 + noun   possessor + ge3 + noun   The book's cover   書嘅封面   syu1 ge3 fung1 min6

Locative   Place   喺 + location   hai2 + location   On the book   喺書上面   hai2 syu1 soeng6 min6

Instrumental   Tool / means   用 + noun   jung6 + noun   With a book / using a book   用書   jung6 syu1

DATIVE:

Give   Subject + 畀 + person + thing   subject + bei2 + person + thing   我畀你書   ngo5 bei2 nei5 syu1   I give you a book

Teach   Subject + 教 + person + thing   subject + gaau3 + person + thing   老師教我中文   lou5 si1 gaau3 ngo5 zung1 man4   The teacher teaches me Chinese

Ask   Subject + 問 + person + thing   subject + man6 + person + thing   我問你問題   ngo5 man6 nei5 man6 tai4   I ask you a question

Tell   Subject + 話 + person + thing   subject + waa6 + person + thing   我話你知   ngo5 waa6 nei5 zi1   I tell you / I let you know

Buy for   Subject + verb + thing + 畀 + person   subject + verb + thing + bei2 + person   我買花畀你   ngo5 maai5 faa1 bei2 nei5   I buy flowers for you

Help   Subject + 幫 + person + verb   subject + bong1 + person + verb   我幫你做   ngo5 bong1 nei5 zou6   I help you do it / I do it for you

With   Subject + 同 + person + verb   subject + tung4 + person + verb   我同你去   ngo5 tung4 nei5 heoi3   I go with you

Toward   Subject + 對 + person + verb/adjective   subject + deoi3 + person + verb/adjective   我對你好   ngo5 deoi3 nei5 hou2   I am good to you / I treat you well

Toward / direction   Subject + 向 + person + verb   subject + hoeng3 + person + verb   佢向我道歉   keoi5 hoeng3 ngo5 dou6 hip3   He/she apologizes to me

For benefit   Subject + 為 + person + verb   subject + wai6 + person + verb   我為你做   ngo5 wai6 nei5 zou6   I do it for you

ARTICLES:

a/an   一 + classifier   jat1 + classifier   one/a

the (this)   呢 + classifier   ni1 + classifier   this

the (that)   嗰 + classifier   go2 + classifier   that

some   一啲   jat1 di1   some

these   呢啲   ni1 di1   these

those   嗰啲   go2 di1   those

certain   某   mau5   a certain

3- ADJECTIVES

Predicate adjective   Subject + 好 + adjective   subject + hou2 + adjective   佢好高   keoi5 hou2 gou1   He/She is tall

Negative adjective   Subject + 唔 + adjective   subject + m4 + adjective   佢唔高   keoi5 m4 gou1   He/She is not tall

Adjective + noun   Adjective + 嘅 + noun   adjective + ge3 + noun   新嘅書   san1 ge3 syu1   New book

Comparative   A + 比 + B + adjective   A + bei2 + B + adjective   我比你高   ngo5 bei2 nei5 gou1   I am taller than you

Superlative   Subject + 最 + adjective   subject + zeoi3 + adjective   佢最高   keoi5 zeoi3 gou1   He/She is the tallest

Change of state   Adjective + 咗   adjective + zo2   凍咗   dung3 zo2   Became cold / It has become cold

Affirmative "to be"   Subject + 係 + noun   subject + hai6 + noun   我係學生   ngo5 hai6 hok6 saang1   I am a student

Negative "to be"   Subject + 唔係 + noun   subject + m4 hai6 + noun   我唔係學生   ngo5 m4 hai6 hok6 saang1   I am not a student

Yes/No question   Subject + 係唔係 + noun?   subject + hai6 m4 hai6 + noun?   你係唔係學生？   nei5 hai6 m4 hai6 hok6 saang1?   Are you a student?

Possession identification   Noun + 係 + possessive   noun + hai6 + possessive   呢本書係我嘅   ni1 bun2 syu1 hai6 ngo5 ge3   This book is mine

Past identity   Time + Subject + 係 + noun   time + subject + hai6 + noun   我以前係學生   ngo5 ji5 cin4 hai6 hok6 saang1   I was a student

Present   Subject + 係 + noun   subject + hai6 + noun   我係學生   ngo5 hai6 hok6 saang1   I am a student

Present negative   Subject + 唔係 + noun   subject + m4 hai6 + noun   我唔係學生   ngo5 m4 hai6 hok6 saang1   I am not a student

Past   Time + Subject + 係 + noun   time + subject + hai6 + noun   我以前係學生   ngo5 ji5 cin4 hai6 hok6 saang1   I was a student

Past negative   Time + Subject + 唔係 + noun   time + subject + m4 hai6 + noun   我以前唔係學生   ngo5 ji5 cin4 m4 hai6 hok6 saang1   I was not a student

Future   Subject + 會係 + noun   subject + wui5 hai6 + noun   我會係老師   ngo5 wui5 hai6 lou5 si1   I will be a teacher

Future negative   Subject + 唔會係 + noun   subject + m4 wui5 hai6 + noun   我唔會係老師   ngo5 m4 wui5 hai6 lou5 si1   I will not be a teacher

Perfect   Subject + 已經係 + noun   subject + ji5 ging1 hai6 + noun   我已經係老師   ngo5 ji5 ging1 hai6 lou5 si1   I have been a teacher

Continuous role   Subject + 做緊 + noun   subject + zou6 gan2 + noun   我做緊老師   ngo5 zou6 gan2 lou5 si1   I am working as a teacher

4- PRONOUNS

I / me 我 ngo5

you (singular) 你 nei5

he / him 佢 keoi5

she / her 佢 keoi5

it 佢 keoi5

we / us 我哋 ngo5 dei6

you (plural) 你哋 nei5 dei6

they / them 佢哋 keoi5 dei6

Nominative subject 我 ngo5 I

Accusative direct object 我 ngo5 me

Dative receiver 畀我 bei2 ngo5 to me

Genitive possession 我嘅 ngo5 ge3 my

Locative location 喺我度 hai2 ngo5 dou6 at my place

Instrumental with 同我 tung4 ngo5 with me

Benefactive for 幫我 bong1 ngo5 for me

Ablative from 由我 jau4 ngo5 from me

Reflexive myself 我自己 ngo5 zi6 gei2 myself

DEMONSTRATIVE:

This + noun 呢 + classifier + noun ni1 + classifier + noun 呢本書 ni1 bun2 syu1 This book

That + noun 嗰 + classifier + noun go2 + classifier + noun 嗰個人 go2 go3 jan4 That person

These 呢啲 + noun ni1 di1 + noun 呢啲書 ni1 di1 syu1 These books

Those 嗰啲 + noun go2 di1 + noun 嗰啲人 go2 di1 jan4 Those people

This one 呢個 ni1 go3 呢個係我嘅 ni1 go3 hai6 ngo5 ge3 This is mine

That one 嗰個 go2 go3 嗰個好靚 go2 go3 hou2 leng3 That one is beautiful

Here 呢度 ni1 dou6 我喺呢度 ngo5 hai2 ni1 dou6 I am here

There 嗰度 go2 dou6 佢喺嗰度 keoi5 hai2 go2 dou6 He/She is there

呢本係書。 ni1 bun2 hai6 syu1 This is a book.

Word-by-word

Cantonese Jyutping Meaning

呢本 ni1 bun2 this one (classifier 本 for books)

係 hai6 is

書 syu1 book

5- VERB TENSES

Present simple Verb 我食飯 ngo5 sik6 faan6

Present continuous Verb + 緊 [gan2] 我食緊飯 ngo5 sik6 gan2 faan6

Present perfect Verb + 咗 [zo2] 我食咗飯 ngo5 sik6 zo2 faan6

Past simple Verb + 咗 [zo2] / time word 我去咗 ngo5 heoi3 zo2

Past continuous Verb + 緊 [gan2] + past time 我食緊飯 ngo5 sik6 gan2 faan6

Past perfect 已經 [ji5 ging1] + Verb + 咗 [zo2] 已經食咗 ji5 ging1 sik6 zo2

Future simple 會 [wui5] + Verb 會去 wui5 heoi3

Future continuous 會 [wui5] + Verb + 緊 [gan2] 會食緊 wui5 sik6 gan2

Future perfect 會 [wui5] + Verb + 咗 [zo2] 會做咗 wui5 zou6 zo2

Habitual past 以前 [ji5 cin4] + Verb 以前跑步 ji5 cin4 paau2 bou6

6- PASSIVE TENSES:

am done 畀 + Agent + Verb 畀人笑 bei2 jan4 siu3

am being done 畀 + Agent + Verb + 緊 畀人打緊 bei2 jan4 daa2 gan2

have been done 畀 + Agent + Verb + 咗 畀人打咗 bei2 jan4 daa2 zo2

was done 畀 + Agent + Verb + 咗 畀人偷咗 bei2 jan4 tau1 zo2

was being done 畀 + Agent + Verb + 緊 畀人鬧緊 bei2 jan4 nau6 gan2

had been done 已經 + 畀 + Verb + 咗 已經畀人通知咗

will be done 會 + 畀 + Verb 會畀人批評

will have been done 會 + 畀 + Verb + 咗 會畀人通知咗

7- NEGATION:

唔 m4 not / don't (general present actions)

冇 mou5 don't have / did not / have not

未 mei6 not yet

未曾 mei6 cang4 have never yet

無 mou4 without / there is no (formal)

不是 / 唔係 bat1 si6 / m4 hai6 is not

勿 mat6 do not (formal/written)

Subject + 唔係 (m4 hai6) + noun

唔 (m4) + adjective

I don't eat 唔 + Verb m4 + verb 我唔食 ngo5 m4 sik6 I don't eat

I am not eating 冇 + Verb + 緊 mou5 + verb + gan2 我冇食緊 ngo5 mou5 sik6 gan2 I am not eating

I haven't eaten 未 + Verb mei6 + verb 我未食 ngo5 mei6 sik6 I haven't eaten yet

I didn't eat 冇 + Verb mou5 + verb 我冇食 ngo5 mou5 sik6 I didn't eat

I wasn't eating 冇 + Verb + 緊 mou5 + verb + gan2 我冇食緊 ngo5 mou5 sik6 gan2 I wasn't eating (context-dependent)

I had not eaten 未 + Verb mei6 + verb 我未食 ngo5 mei6 sik6 I had not eaten (context-dependent)

I had never eaten 未曾 + Verb + 過 mei6 cang4 + verb + gwo3 我未曾食過 ngo5 mei6 cang4 sik6 gwo3 I had never eaten

I won't eat 唔會 + Verb m4 wui5 + verb 我唔會食 ngo5 m4 wui5 sik6 I won't eat

I won't be eating 唔會 + Verb + 緊 m4 wui5 + verb + gan2 我唔會食緊 ngo5 m4 wui5 sik6 gan2 I won't be eating (rare; usually expressed differently)

I haven't been eating 冇 + Verb + 緊 mou5 + verb + gan2 我冇食緊 ngo5 mou5 sik6 gan2 I haven't been eating (context-dependent)

Present negative passive Subject + 唔 + 畀 + agent + verb subject + m4 + bei2 + agent + verb 我唔畀佢鬧 ngo5 m4 bei2 keoi5 naau6 I am not scolded by him / I don't let him scold me

Past negative passive Subject + 冇 + 畀 + agent + verb subject + mou5 + bei2 + agent + verb 我冇畀老師讚 ngo5 mou5 bei2 lou5 si1 zaan3 I wasn't praised by the teacher

Present perfect negative passive Subject + 未 + 畀 + agent + verb subject + mei6 + bei2 + agent + verb 我未畀醫生檢查 ngo5 mei6 bei2 ji1 saang1 gim2 caa4 I haven't been examined yet

Past perfect negative passive Subject + 未曾 + 畀 + agent + verb + 過 subject + mei6 cang4 + bei2 + agent + verb + gwo3 我未曾畀警察問過 ngo5 mei6 cang4 bei2 ging2 caat3 man6 gwo3 I had never been questioned

Future negative passive Subject + 唔會 + 畀 + agent + verb subject + m4 wui5 + bei2 + agent + verb 我唔會畀佢呃 ngo5 m4 wui5 bei2 keoi5 aa1 I won't be cheated

Continuous negative passive Subject + 冇 + 畀 + agent + verb + 緊 subject + mou5 + bei2 + agent + verb + gan2 我冇畀人幫緊 ngo5 mou5 bei2 jan4 bong1 gan2 I am not being helped

Unknown agent Subject + 冇 + 畀人 + verb subject + mou5 + bei2 jan4 + verb 我冇畀人見到 ngo5 mou5 bei2 jan4 gin3 dou2 I wasn't seen by anyone

8- QUESTIONS:

YES/NO QUESTIONS:

Statement + 嗎 (maa3)?

In daily cantonese: Statement + 呀 (aa3?)

To ask a-not-a questions:

Verb + 唔 [m4] + Verb

你去唔去？ nei5 heoi3 m4 heoi3? Are you going or not?

QUESTION WORDS:

Who Subject + Verb + 邊個 subject + verb + bin1 go3 你見到邊個？ nei5 gin3 dou2 bin1 go3? Who did you see?

What Subject + Verb + 咩 subject + verb + me1 你食咩？ nei5 sik6 me1? What are you eating?

Which 邊 + Classifier + Noun bin1 + classifier + noun 邊本書？ bin1 bun2 syu1? Which book?

Where Subject + 喺 + 邊度 subject + hai2 + bin1 dou6 你喺邊度？ nei5 hai2 bin1 dou6? Where are you?

When Subject + 幾時 + Verb subject + gei2 si4 + verb 你幾時返？ nei5 gei2 si4 faan1? When are you coming back?

Why 點解 + Subject + Verb dim2 gaai2 + subject + verb 點解你唔去？ dim2 gaai2 nei5 m4 heoi3? Why aren't you going?

How Subject + 點 + Verb subject + dim2 + verb 你點去？ nei5 dim2 heoi3? How do you go?

How many 幾多 + Classifier + Noun gei2 do1 + classifier + noun 幾多本書？ gei2 do1 bun2 syu1? How many books?

How much 幾多錢 gei2 do1 cin2 呢本書幾多錢？ ni1 bun2 syu1 gei2 do1 cin2? How much is this book?

How old Subject + 幾大 subject + gei2 daai6 你幾大？ nei5 gei2 daai6? How old are you?

How long Subject + Verb + 幾耐 subject + verb + gei2 noi6 你等咗幾耐？ nei5 dang2 zo2 gei2 noi6? How long did you wait?

How far Place + 離 + Place + 幾遠 place + lei4 + place + gei2 jyun5 呢度離學校幾遠？ ni1 dou6 lei4 hok6 haau6 gei2 jyun5? How far is it from here to the school?

Whose 邊個嘅 + Noun bin1 go3 ge3 + noun 邊個嘅書？ bin1 go3 ge3 syu1? Whose book is this?

9- ADVERBS:

1. Manner adverbs — how?

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

快快咁 faai3 faai3 gam2 quickly 佢快快咁食完飯。 — keoi5 faai3 faai3 gam2 sik6 jyun4 faan6. — He quickly finished eating.

慢慢咁 maan6 maan6 gam2 slowly 你慢慢咁行。 — nei5 maan6 maan6 gam2 haang4. — Walk slowly.

小心咁 siu2 sam1 gam2 carefully 佢小心咁揸車。 — keoi5 siu2 sam1 gam2 zaa1 ce1. — He drives carefully.

輕輕咁 hing1 hing1 gam2 gently/lightly 佢輕輕咁關門。 — keoi5 hing1 hing1 gam2 gwaan1 mun4. — He gently closed the door.

靜靜咁 zing6 zing6 gam2 quietly 佢靜靜咁坐喺度。 — keoi5 zing6 zing6 gam2 co5 hai2 dou6. — He sat there quietly.

大聲咁 daai6 seng1 gam2 loudly 佢大聲咁講嘢。 — keoi5 daai6 seng1 gam2 gong2 je5. — He speaks loudly.

慢慢 maan6 maan6 slowly 慢慢食啦。 — maan6 maan6 sik6 laa1. — Eat slowly.

一齊 jat1 cai4 together 我哋一齊去。 — ngo5 dei6 jat1 cai4 heoi3. — Let's go together.

一個人 jat1 go3 jan4 alone 佢一個人住。 — keoi5 jat1 go3 jan4 zyu6. — He lives alone.

親自 can1 zi6 personally 佢親自去處理。 — keoi5 can1 zi6 heoi3 cyu5 lei5. — He handled it personally.

特登 dak6 dang1 deliberately/on purpose 佢特登咁做。 — keoi5 dak6 dang1 gam2 zou6. — He did it deliberately.

意外地 ji3 ngoi6 dei6 accidentally/unexpectedly 佢意外地發現咗答案。 — keoi5 ji3 ngoi6 dei6 faat3 jin6 zo2 daap3 on3. — He unexpectedly discovered the answer.

突然 dat6 jin4 suddenly 佢突然走咗。 — keoi5 dat6 jin4 zau2 zo2. — He suddenly left.

重新 cung4 san1 again/anew 我哋重新開始。 — ngo5 dei6 cung4 san1 hoi1 ci2. — We start again.

2. Time adverbs

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

而家 ji4 gaa1 now 我而家食緊飯。 — ngo5 ji4 gaa1 sik6 gan2 faan6. — I'm eating now.

依家 ji1 gaa1 now 你依家做緊乜？ — nei5 ji1 gaa1 zou6 gan2 mat1? — What are you doing now?

今日 gam1 jat6 today 我今日唔返工。 — ngo5 gam1 jat6 m4 faan1 gung1. — I'm not going to work today.

尋日 cam4 jat6 yesterday 我尋日見到佢。 — ngo5 cam4 jat6 gin3 dou2 keoi5. — I saw him yesterday.

聽日 teng1 jat6 tomorrow 我聽日去香港。 — ngo5 teng1 jat6 heoi3 Hoeng1 Gong2. — I'm going to Hong Kong tomorrow.

前日 cin4 jat6 the day before yesterday 佢前日返咗屋企。 — keoi5 cin4 jat6 faan1 zo2 uk1 kei2. — He went home the day before yesterday.

後日 hau6 jat6 the day after tomorrow 後日先去啦。 — hau6 jat6 sin1 heoi3 laa1. — Let's go the day after tomorrow.

而家先 ji4 gaa1 sin1 only now 我而家先知。 — ngo5 ji4 gaa1 sin1 zi1. — I'm only finding out now.

以前 ji5 cin4 before/in the past 我以前住喺呢度。 — ngo5 ji5 cin4 zyu6 hai2 ni1 dou6. — I used to live here.

之後 zi1 hau6 afterwards 我哋之後再講。 — ngo5 dei6 zi1 hau6 zoi3 gong2. — We'll talk later.

之後先 zi1 hau6 sin1 only afterwards 之後先再決定。 — zi1 hau6 sin1 zoi3 kyut3 ding6. — We'll decide afterwards.

先 sin1 first/beforehand 你食先。 — nei5 sik6 sin1. — You eat first.

再 zoi3 again/then 我哋再試一次。 — ngo5 dei6 zoi3 si3 jat1 ci3. — We'll try again.

又 jau6 again 佢又遲到。 — keoi5 jau6 ci4 dou3. — He's late again.

已經 ji5 ging1 already 我已經食咗飯。 — ngo5 ji5 ging1 sik6 zo2 faan6. — I've already eaten.

仲 zung6 still/yet 佢仲喺度。 — keoi5 zung6 hai2 dou6. — He's still here.

仲未 zung6 mei6 still not/yet 我仲未食飯。 — ngo5 zung6 mei6 sik6 faan6. — I haven't eaten yet.

即刻 zik1 hak1 immediately 你即刻返去。 — nei5 zik1 hak1 faan1 heoi3. — Go back immediately.

即時 zik1 si4 immediately 佢即時答應。 — keoi5 zik1 si4 daap3 jing3. — He agreed immediately.

快啲 faai3 di1 quickly 快啲嚟！ — faai3 di1 lai4! — Come quickly!

差唔多 caa1 m4 do1 almost/about/almost time 差唔多夠鐘喇。 — caa1 m4 do1 gau3 zung1 laa3. — It's almost time.

暫時 zaam6 si4 temporarily/for now 我暫時唔知。 — ngo5 zaam6 si4 m4 zi1. — I don't know for now.

最後 zeoi3 hau6 finally/last 佢最後都成功喇。 — keoi5 zeoi3 hau6 dou1 sing4 gung1 laa3. — He finally succeeded.

終於 zung1 jyu1 finally/at last 佢終於返嚟喇。 — keoi5 zung1 jyu1 faan1 lei4 laa3. — He finally came back.

3. Frequency adverbs

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

成日 seng4 jat6 always/all the time 佢成日遲到。 — keoi5 seng4 jat6 ci4 dou3. — He's always late.

成日都 seng4 jat6 dou1 always 佢成日都好忙。 — keoi5 seng4 jat6 dou1 hou2 mong4. — He's always very busy.

總係 zung2 hai6 always/consistently 佢總係咁講。 — keoi5 zung2 hai6 gam2 gong2. — He always says that.

一向 jat1 hoeng3 always/as usual 佢一向都好勤力。 — keoi5 jat1 hoeng3 dou1 hou2 kan4 lik6. — He's always hardworking.

從來 cung4 loi4 ever/always (usually negative) 我從來冇去過。 — ngo5 cung4 loi4 mou5 heoi3 gwo3. — I've never been there.

從來都 cung4 loi4 dou1 ever/always 佢從來都唔遲到。 — keoi5 cung4 loi4 dou1 m4 ci4 dou3. — He's never late.

通常 tung1 soeng4 usually 我通常七點起身。 — ngo5 tung1 soeng4 cat1 dim2 hei2 san1. — I usually get up at seven.

間中 gaan3 zung1 occasionally 我間中會去嗰度。 — ngo5 gaan3 zung1 wui5 heoi3 go2 dou6. — I occasionally go there.

有時 jau5 si4 sometimes 我有時食辣。 — ngo5 jau5 si4 sik6 laat6. — I sometimes eat spicy food.

偶爾 ngau5 ji5 occasionally 佢偶爾會飲酒。 — keoi5 ngau5 ji5 wui5 jam2 zau2. — He occasionally drinks alcohol.

間唔中 gaan3 m4 zung1 from time to time 我間唔中會睇書。 — ngo5 gaan3 m4 zung1 wui5 tai2 syu1. — I read books from time to time.

成日都 seng4 jat6 dou1 all the time 佢成日都笑。 — keoi5 seng4 jat6 dou1 siu3. — He is always smiling.

日日 jat6 jat6 every day 佢日日跑步。 — keoi5 jat6 jat6 paau2 bou6. — He runs every day.

每次 mui5 ci3 every time 佢每次都遲到。 — keoi5 mui5 ci3 dou1 ci4 dou3. — He's late every time.

再三 zoi3 saam1 repeatedly 佢再三提醒我。 — keoi5 zoi3 saam1 tai4 sing2 ngo5. — He repeatedly reminded me.

4. Place/location adverbs

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

呢度 ni1 dou6 here 我喺呢度。 — ngo5 hai2 ni1 dou6. — I'm here.

嗰度 go2 dou6 there 佢喺嗰度。 — keoi5 hai2 go2 dou6. — He's there.

呢邊 ni1 bin1 this side/here 你過嚟呢邊。 — nei5 gwo3 lai4 ni1 bin1. — Come over here.

嗰邊 go2 bin1 that side/over there 佢喺嗰邊。 — keoi5 hai2 go2 bin1. — He's over there.

周圍 zau1 wai4 around/everywhere nearby 屋企周圍有好多樹。 — uk1 kei2 zau1 wai4 jau5 hou2 do1 syu6. — There are many trees around the house.

到處 dou3 cyu3 everywhere 到處都有人。 — dou3 cyu3 dou1 jau5 jan4. — There are people everywhere.

到處都 dou3 cyu3 dou1 everywhere 到處都有餐廳。 — dou3 cyu3 dou1 jau5 caan1 teng1. — There are restaurants everywhere.

到邊度 dou3 bin1 dou6 where to 你想去到邊度？ — nei5 soeng2 heoi3 dou3 bin1 dou6? — Where do you want to go?

入面 jap6 min6 inside 佢喺入面。 — keoi5 hai2 jap6 min6. — He's inside.

出面 ceot1 min6 outside 佢喺出面等你。 — keoi5 hai2 ceot1 min6 dang2 nei5. — He's waiting for you outside.

上面 soeng6 min6 above/on top 本書喺上面。 — bun2 syu1 hai2 soeng6 min6. — The book is on top.

下面 haa6 min6 below/under 鞋喺下面。 — haai4 hai2 haa6 min6. — The shoes are underneath.

前面 cin4 min6 in front 佢喺前面。 — keoi5 hai2 cin4 min6. — He's in front.

後面 hau6 min6 behind 車喺後面。 — ce1 hai2 hau6 min6. — The car is behind.

附近 fu6 gan6 nearby 地鐵站喺附近。 — dei6 tit3 zaam6 hai2 fu6 gan6. — The MTR station is nearby.

遠處 jyun5 cyu3 far away 遠處有座山。 — jyun5 cyu3 jau5 zo6 saan1. — There is a mountain in the distance.

5. Directional adverbs

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

上 soeng5 up 行上去。 — haang4 soeng5 heoi3. — Go up.

落 lok6 down 行落去。 — haang4 lok6 heoi3. — Go down.

前 cin4 forward/ahead 向前行。 — hoeng3 cin4 haang4. — Walk forward.

後 hau6 backward/behind 向後退。 — hoeng3 hau6 teoi3. — Move backward.

入 jap6 in 入去啦。 — jap6 heoi3 laa1. — Go inside.

出 ceot1 out 出去啦。 — ceot1 heoi3 laa1. — Go outside.

返 faan1 back 返去啦。 — faan1 heoi3 laa1. — Go back.

過嚟 gwo3 lai4 come over 過嚟呢邊。 — gwo3 lai4 ni1 bin1. — Come over here.

過去 gwo3 heoi3 go over/there 你過去嗰邊。 — nei5 gwo3 heoi3 go2 bin1. — Go over there.

一路 jat1 lou6 all the way 佢一路行一路講。 — keoi5 jat1 lou6 haang4 jat1 lou6 gong2. — He talked while walking all the way.

6. Degree/intensity adverbs

These are extremely important in Cantonese.

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

好 hou2 very 今日好熱。 — gam1 jat6 hou2 jit6. — It's very hot today.

好鬼 hou2 gwai2 very/extremely (colloquial) 呢度好鬼凍。 — ni1 dou6 hou2 gwai2 dung3. — It's extremely cold here.

非常 fei1 soeng4 extremely/very 呢件事非常重要。 — ni1 gin6 si6 fei1 soeng4 zung6 jiu3. — This matter is extremely important.

十分 sap6 fan1 very/extremely 佢十分開心。 — keoi5 sap6 fan1 hoi1 sam1. — He is very happy.

真係 zan1 hai6 really 呢個真係好好食。 — ni1 go3 zan1 hai6 hou2 hou2 sik6. — This is really delicious.

真 zan1 really 真好食！— zan1 hou2 sik6! — Really delicious!

太 taai3 too/very 太貴喇。 — taai3 gwai3 laa3. — It's too expensive.

太...喇 taai3...laa3 too... 太遲喇。 — taai3 ci4 laa3. — It's too late.

超 ciu1 super/extremely 呢度超靚。 — ni1 dou6 ciu1 leng3. — This place is super beautiful.

極 gik6 extremely 佢極之小心。 — keoi5 gik6 zi1 siu2 sam1. — He is extremely careful.

極之 gik6 zi1 extremely 呢件事極之重要。 — ni1 gin6 si6 gik6 zi1 zung6 jiu3. — This matter is extremely important.

相當 soeng1 dong1 quite/rather 佢相當聰明。 — keoi5 soeng1 dong1 cung1 ming4. — He's quite intelligent.

頗 po2 rather/quite 呢個問題頗複雜。 — ni1 go3 man6 tai4 po2 fuk1 zaap6. — This problem is rather complicated.

幾 gei2 quite/pretty 呢間餐廳幾好食。 — ni1 gaan1 caan1 teng1 gei2 hou2 sik6. — This restaurant is pretty good.

幾乎 gei2 fu1 almost 我幾乎遲到。 — ngo5 gei2 fu1 ci4 dou3. — I almost arrived late.

幾乎冇 gei2 fu1 mou5 hardly/almost no 呢度幾乎冇人。 — ni1 dou6 gei2 fu1 mou5 jan4. — There are hardly any people here.

好少 hou2 siu2 very seldom/very little 我好少飲酒。 — ngo5 hou2 siu2 jam2 zau2. — I rarely drink alcohol.

少少 siu2 siu2 a little 我識少少廣東話。 — ngo5 sik1 siu2 siu2 Gwong2 dung1 waa2. — I know a little Cantonese.

少少咁 siu2 siu2 gam2 slightly 佢少少咁笑咗。 — keoi5 siu2 siu2 gam2 siu3 zo2. — He smiled slightly.

有啲 jau5 di1 somewhat/a little 今日有啲凍。 — gam1 jat6 jau5 di1 dung3. — It's a little cold today.

太過 taai3 gwo3 excessively/too 你太過小心喇。 — nei5 taai3 gwo3 siu2 sam1 laa3. — You're being excessively careful.

非常之 fei1 soeng4 zi1 extremely 呢個非常之難。 — ni1 go3 fei1 soeng4 zi1 naan4. — This is extremely difficult.

7. Quantity adverbs

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

好多 hou2 do1 a lot/many 呢度有好多書。 — ni1 dou6 jau5 hou2 do1 syu1. — There are many books here.

好少 hou2 siu2 very little/few 呢度好少人。 — ni1 dou6 hou2 siu2 jan4. — There are very few people here.

多 do1 much/more 我想要多啲。 — ngo5 soeng2 jiu3 do1 di1. — I want more.

少 siu2 little/less 食少啲啦。 — sik6 siu2 di1 laa1. — Eat a little less.

太多 taai3 do1 too much/many 呢度人太多。 — ni1 dou6 jan4 taai3 do1. — There are too many people here.

太少 taai3 siu2 too little/few 呢啲錢太少。 — ni1 di1 cin2 taai3 siu2. — This money is too little.

足夠 zuk1 gau3 sufficiently/enough 呢啲已經足夠。 — ni1 di1 ji5 ging1 zuk1 gau3. — This is already enough.

差唔多 caa1 m4 do1 approximately/almost 差唔多十點。 — caa1 m4 do1 sap6 dim2. — It's about ten o'clock.

大約 daai6 joek3 approximately 大約有五十人。 — daai6 joek3 jau5 ng5 sap6 jan4. — There are approximately fifty people.

大概 daai6 koi3 approximately/probably 大概三點到。 — daai6 koi3 saam1 dim2 dou3. — I'll arrive at about three.

淨係 zing6 hai6 only 我淨係飲水。 — ngo5 zing6 hai6 jam2 seoi2. — I only drink water.

只係 zi2 hai6 only/just 我只係問吓。 — ngo5 zi2 hai6 man6 haa5. — I'm just asking.

8. Certainty adverbs

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

一定 jat1 ding6 definitely 佢一定會嚟。 — keoi5 jat1 ding6 wui5 lai4. — He will definitely come.

肯定 hang2 ding6 certainly/definitely 我肯定佢知。 — ngo5 hang2 ding6 keoi5 zi1. — I'm certain he knows.

必定 bit1 ding6 certainly 佢必定成功。 — keoi5 bit1 ding6 sing4 gung1. — He will certainly succeed.

必然 bit1 jin4 inevitably 呢個結果係必然嘅。 — ni1 go3 git3 gwo2 hai6 bit1 jin4 ge3. — This result is inevitable.

當然 dong1 jin4 of course/naturally 當然可以。 — dong1 jin4 ho2 ji5. — Of course you can.

梗係 gang2 hai6 of course/definitely (colloquial) 梗係得啦。 — gang2 hai6 dak1 laa1. — Of course it's okay.

實 sat6 surely/definitely 佢實知。 — keoi5 sat6 zi1. — He surely knows.

實在 sat6 zoi6 really/indeed 呢件事實在太難。 — ni1 gin6 si6 sat6 zoi6 taai3 naan4. — This really is too difficult.

的確 dik1 kok3 indeed/certainly 佢的確講過。 — keoi5 dik1 kok3 gong2 gwo3. — He indeed said it.

9. Probability / possibility adverbs

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

可能 ho2 nang4 possibly/maybe 佢可能唔嚟。 — keoi5 ho2 nang4 m4 lai4. — He may not come.

可能會 ho2 nang4 wui5 may/might 聽日可能會落雨。 — ting1 jat6 ho2 nang4 wui5 lok6 jyu5. — It might rain tomorrow.

或者 waak6 ze2 perhaps/or 或者佢唔知。 — waak6 ze2 keoi5 m4 zi1. — Perhaps he doesn't know.

或許 waak6 heoi2 perhaps 或許佢會同意。 — waak6 heoi2 keoi5 wui5 tung4 ji3. — Perhaps he will agree.

大概 daai6 koi3 probably/about 佢大概三點到。 — keoi5 daai6 koi3 saam1 dim2 dou3. — He'll probably arrive at three.

應該 jing1 goi1 should/probably 佢應該知道。 — keoi5 jing1 goi1 zi1 dou3. — He should/probably knows.

大概會 daai6 koi3 wui5 will probably 佢大概會嚟。 — keoi5 daai6 koi3 wui5 lai4. — He'll probably come.

似乎 ci5 fu1 apparently/seemingly 佢似乎唔知。 — keoi5 ci5 fu1 m4 zi1. — He apparently doesn't know.

好似 hou2 ci5 seems like 佢好似病咗。 — keoi5 hou2 ci5 beng6 zo2. — He seems to be sick.

好似...咁 hou2 ci5...gam2 seemingly/as if 佢好似好攰咁。 — keoi5 hou2 ci5 hou2 gui6 gam2. — He seems very tired.

10. Negative adverbial expressions

Cantonese negation is mainly expressed with 唔 m4, 冇 mou5, 未 mei6, 不 bat1, etc.

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

唔 m4 not 我唔知。 — ngo5 m4 zi1. — I don't know.

冇 mou5 not have/didn't 我冇食飯。 — ngo5 mou5 sik6 faan6. — I didn't eat.

未 mei6 not yet 我未食飯。 — ngo5 mei6 sik6 faan6. — I haven't eaten yet.

未曾 mei6 cang4 never yet/not ever 我未曾去過。 — ngo5 mei6 cang4 heoi3 gwo3. — I've never been there.

從來冇 cung4 loi4 mou5 never 我從來冇見過佢。 — ngo5 cung4 loi4 mou5 gin3 gwo3 keoi5. — I've never seen him.

完全唔 jyun4 cyun4 m4 completely not 我完全唔明。 — ngo5 jyun4 cyun4 m4 ming4. — I don't understand at all.

一啲都唔 jat1 di1 dou1 m4 not at all 我一啲都唔攰。 — ngo5 jat1 di1 dou1 m4 gui6. — I'm not tired at all.

一次都冇 jat1 ci3 dou1 mou5 never even once 我一次都冇去過。 — ngo5 jat1 ci3 dou1 mou5 heoi3 gwo3. — I've never been there even once.

點都唔 dim2 dou1 m4 no matter how...not 我點都唔會去。 — ngo5 dim2 dou1 m4 wui5 heoi3. — I won't go no matter what.

邊度都唔 bin1 dou6 dou1 m4 nowhere/not anywhere 我邊度都唔想去。 — ngo5 bin1 dou6 dou1 m4 soeng2 heoi3. — I don't want to go anywhere.

11. Interrogative adverbs

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

點 dim2 how 你點做？ — nei5 dim2 zou6? — How do you do it?

點樣 dim2 joeng6 how 呢個點樣用？ — ni1 go3 dim2 joeng6 jung6? — How is this used?

幾時 gei2 si4 when 你幾時返嚟？ — nei5 gei2 si4 faan1 lei4? — When are you coming back?

幾點 gei2 dim2 what time 你幾點返工？ — nei5 gei2 dim2 faan1 gung1? — What time do you go to work?

邊度 bin1 dou6 where 你住喺邊度？ — nei5 zyu6 hai2 bin1 dou6? — Where do you live?

去邊度 heoi3 bin1 dou6 where to 你去邊度？ — nei5 heoi3 bin1 dou6? — Where are you going?

由邊度 jau4 bin1 dou6 from where 你由邊度嚟？ — nei5 jau4 bin1 dou6 lai4? — Where are you from?

點解 dim2 gaai2 why 你點解唔去？ — nei5 dim2 gaai2 m4 heoi3? — Why aren't you going?

點樣 dim2 joeng6 how 你點樣學廣東話？ — nei5 dim2 joeng6 hok6 Gwong2 dung1 waa2? — How do you learn Cantonese?

幾多 gei2 do1 how much/many 你有幾多錢？ — nei5 jau5 gei2 do1 cin2? — How much money do you have?

幾耐 gei2 noi6 how long 你等咗幾耐？ — nei5 dang2 zo2 gei2 noi6? — How long have you waited?

幾遠 gei2 jyun5 how far 呢度有幾遠？ — ni1 dou6 jau5 gei2 jyun5? — How far is it from here?

幾快 gei2 faai3 how fast 佢跑得幾快？ — keoi5 paau2 dak1 gei2 faai3? — How fast can he run?

幾多次 gei2 do1 ci3 how many times 你去過幾多次？ — nei5 heoi3 gwo3 gei2 do1 ci3? — How many times have you been?

12. Focus and emphasis adverbs/particles

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

淨係 zing6 hai6 only 我淨係識少少。 — ngo5 zing6 hai6 sik1 siu2 siu2. — I only know a little.

只係 zi2 hai6 only/just 我只係問吓。 — ngo5 zi2 hai6 man6 haa5. — I'm just asking.

甚至 sam6 zi3 even 佢甚至唔記得我個名。 — keoi5 sam6 zi3 m4 gei3 dak1 ngo5 go3 meng2. — He even forgot my name.

尤其 jau4 kei4 especially 我尤其鍾意呢首歌。 — ngo5 jau4 kei4 zung1 ji3 ni1 sau2 go1. — I especially like this song.

特別 dak6 bit6 especially/particularly 今日特別凍。 — gam1 jat6 dak6 bit6 dung3. — It's particularly cold today.

正正 zing3 zing3 precisely/exactly 正正就係呢個問題。 — zing3 zing3 zau6 hai6 ni1 go3 man6 tai4. — This is precisely the problem.

就 zau6 just/then/precisely 佢就係我朋友。 — keoi5 zau6 hai6 ngo5 pang4 jau5. — He is precisely my friend/the person I'm talking about.

先 sin1 only then/first 食完先走。 — sik6 jyun4 sin1 zau2. — Leave only after eating.

都 dou1 all/even/also 佢哋都識。 — keoi5 dei6 dou1 sik1. — They all know.

又 jau6 again/also 佢又嚟喇。 — keoi5 jau6 lai4 laa3. — He's here again.

仲 zung6 still/even 佢仲快過我。 — keoi5 zung6 faai3 gwo3 ngo5. — He's even faster than me.

13. Limitation / “only”

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

淨係 zing6 hai6 only 我淨係想休息。 — ngo5 zing6 hai6 soeng2 jau1 sik1. — I only want to rest.

只係 zi2 hai6 only 呢個只係開始。 — ni1 go3 zi2 hai6 hoi1 ci2. — This is only the beginning.

先 sin1 only then 你做完先可以走。 — nei5 zou6 jyun4 sin1 ho2 ji5 zau2. — You can leave only after you finish.

至 zi3 only then/not until 佢返嚟至食飯。 — keoi5 faan1 lei4 zi3 sik6 faan6. — He won't eat until he comes back.

至多 zi3 do1 at most 至多等十分鐘。 — zi3 do1 dang2 sap6 fan1 zung1. — Wait at most ten minutes.

至少 zi3 siu2 at least 至少有十個人。 — zi3 siu2 jau5 sap6 go3 jan4. — There are at least ten people.

14. Sequence/order adverbs

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

首先 sau2 sin1 first/firstly 首先，我哋要計劃。 — sau2 sin1, ngo5 dei6 jiu3 gai3 waak6. — First, we need to plan.

首先要 sau2 sin1 jiu3 first need to 首先要食飯。 — sau2 sin1 jiu3 sik6 faan6. — First we need to eat.

跟住 gan1 zyu6 then/next 食完飯跟住去行街。 — sik6 jyun4 faan6 gan1 zyu6 heoi3 haang4 gaai1. — After eating, then go shopping.

然後 jin4 hau6 then/afterwards 然後我哋返屋企。 — jin4 hau6 ngo5 dei6 faan1 uk1 kei2. — Then we went home.

最後 zeoi3 hau6 finally/lastly 最後我哋成功喇。 — zeoi3 hau6 ngo5 dei6 sing4 gung1 laa3. — Finally, we succeeded.

之後 zi1 hau6 afterwards 之後再講。 — zi1 hau6 zoi3 gong2. — We'll talk later.

之前 zi1 cin4 beforehand/before 你之前見過佢。 — nei5 zi1 cin4 gin3 gwo3 keoi5. — You saw him before.

再 zoi3 then/again 做完再走。 — zou6 jyun4 zoi3 zau2. — Leave after finishing.

先 sin1 first 你先去。 — nei5 sin1 heoi3. — You go first.

15. Repetition adverbs

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

再 zoi3 again 再試一次。 — zoi3 si3 jat1 ci3. — Try again.

又 jau6 again 佢又遲到。 — keoi5 jau6 ci4 dou3. — He's late again.

重 cung4 again/still (colloquial) 你重講一次。 — nei5 cung4 gong2 jat1 ci3. — Say it again.

重新 cung4 san1 anew/again 重新開始。 — cung4 san1 hoi1 ci2. — Start again.

再次 zoi3 ci3 once again 我再次多謝你。 — ngo5 zoi3 ci3 do1 ze6 nei5. — I thank you again.

一再 jat1 zoi3 repeatedly 佢一再提醒我。 — keoi5 jat1 zoi3 tai4 sing2 ngo5. — He repeatedly reminded me.

反覆 faan2 fuk1 repeatedly 佢反覆檢查。 — keoi5 faan2 fuk1 gim2 caa4. — He repeatedly checked it.

16. Approximation adverbs

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

大約 daai6 joek3 approximately 大約十個人。 — daai6 joek3 sap6 go3 jan4. — Approximately ten people.

大概 daai6 koi3 approximately/probably 大概三點到。 — daai6 koi3 saam1 dim2 dou3. — I'll arrive at about three.

差唔多 caa1 m4 do1 about/almost 差唔多五點。 — caa1 m4 do1 ng5 dim2. — About five o'clock.

左右 zo2 jau6 approximately/around 五點左右。 — ng5 dim2 zo2 jau6. — Around five o'clock.

前後 cin4 hau6 approximately/around 十個人前後。 — sap6 go3 jan4 cin4 hau6. — Around ten people.

約 joek3 approximately 約有一百人。 — joek3 jau5 jat1 baak3 jan4. — There are approximately 100 people.

17. Comparative adverbs

Cantonese comparison commonly uses 比較, 更加, 最, 越...越..., etc.

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

比較 bei2 gaau3 comparatively/more 呢間比較平。 — ni1 gaan1 bei2 gaau3 peng4. — This one is cheaper.

更加 gang3 gaa1 even more 今日更加凍。 — gam1 jat6 gang3 gaa1 dung3. — It's even colder today.

仲 zung6 even more 佢仲快。 — keoi5 zung6 faai3. — He's even faster.

最 zeoi3 most 佢跑得最快。 — keoi5 paau2 dak1 zeoi3 faai3. — He runs fastest.

越來越 jyut6 loi4 jyut6 increasingly/more and more 天氣越來越熱。 — tin1 hei3 jyut6 loi4 jyut6 jit6. — The weather is getting hotter and hotter.

越...越... jyut6...jyut6 the more...the more... 佢越食越開心。 — keoi5 jyut6 sik6 jyut6 hoi1 sam1. — The more he eats, the happier he becomes.

最為 zeoi3 wai4 most/especially 呢點最為重要。 — ni1 dim2 zeoi3 wai4 zung6 jiu3. — This point is the most important.

18. Sentence-level / discourse adverbs

These modify the whole sentence, rather than just the verb.

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

其實 kei4 sat6 actually 其實我唔知。 — kei4 sat6 ngo5 m4 zi1. — Actually, I don't know.

其實呢 kei4 sat6 ne1 actually 其實呢，我想問你一樣嘢。 — kei4 sat6 ne1, ngo5 soeng2 man6 nei5 jat1 joeng6 je5. — Actually, I want to ask you something.

總之 zung2 zi1 in short/anyway 總之，我哋要走。 — zung2 zi1, ngo5 dei6 jiu3 zau2. — Anyway, we have to leave.

不過 bat1 gwo3 however/but 不過，我唔同意。 — bat1 gwo3, ngo5 m4 tung4 ji3. — However, I don't agree.

反而 faan2 ji4 instead/on the contrary 佢反而覺得好。 — keoi5 faan2 ji4 gok3 dak1 hou2. — He instead thinks it's good.

因此 jan1 ci2 therefore 因此，我哋決定離開。 — jan1 ci2, ngo5 dei6 kyut3 ding6 lei4 hoi1. — Therefore, we decided to leave.

所以 so2 ji5 therefore/so 所以我冇去。 — so2 ji5 ngo5 mou5 heoi3. — So I didn't go.

另外 ling6 ngoi6 additionally/another 另外，我仲有一個問題。 — ling6 ngoi6, ngo5 zung6 jau5 jat1 go3 man6 tai4. — Additionally, I have another question.

仲有 zung6 jau5 also/in addition 仲有一件事。 — zung6 jau5 jat1 gin6 si6. — There's one more thing.

總括而言 zung2 kut3 ji4 jin4 in summary 總括而言，呢個方法有效。 — zung2 kut3 ji4 jin4, ni1 go3 fong1 faat3 jau5 hau6. — In summary, this method is effective.

一般嚟講 jat1 bun1 lai4 gong2 generally speaking 一般嚟講，廣東話唔容易學。 — jat1 bun1 lai4 gong2, Gwong2 dung1 waa2 m4 jung4 ji6 hok6. — Generally speaking, Cantonese isn't easy to learn.

19. Attitude / speaker-comment adverbs

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

老實講 lou5 sat6 gong2 honestly 老實講，我唔鍾意。 — lou5 sat6 gong2, ngo5 m4 zung1 ji3. — Honestly, I don't like it.

老實說 lou5 sat6 syut3 honestly 老實說，我唔知。 — lou5 sat6 syut3, ngo5 m4 zi1. — Honestly, I don't know.

老實咁講 lou5 sat6 gam2 gong2 honestly speaking 老實咁講，呢個好難。 — lou5 sat6 gam2 gong2, ni1 go3 hou2 naan4. — Honestly speaking, this is difficult.

當然 dong1 jin4 naturally/of course 當然冇問題。 — dong1 jin4 mou5 man6 tai4. — Of course there's no problem.

幸好 hang6 hou2 fortunately 幸好我哋趕得切。 — hang6 hou2 ngo5 dei6 gon2 dak1 cit3. — Fortunately, we made it in time.

可惜 ho2 sik1 unfortunately 可惜佢唔喺度。 — ho2 sik1 keoi5 m4 hai2 dou6. — Unfortunately, he's not here.

奇怪地 kei4 gwaai3 dei6 strangely 奇怪地，冇人出現。 — kei4 gwaai3 dei6, mou5 jan4 ceot1 jin6. — Strangely, nobody appeared.

老實 lou5 sat6 honestly 老實，我唔想去。 — lou5 sat6, ngo5 m4 soeng2 heoi3. — Honestly, I don't want to go.

20. Manner/degree construction with 咁

咁 gam3 is extremely important in Cantonese.

It can mean so / that / this way / to such a degree.

Formation Jyutping Meaning Example

咁 + adjective gam3 + adj so + adjective 咁靚！ — gam3 leng3! — So beautiful!

咁 + adjective + 咩？ gam3 + adj + me1? Is it really that...? 咁難㗎咩？ — gam3 naan4 gaa3 me1? — Is it really that difficult?

咁 + verb gam3 + V do it this way/so 唔好咁做。 — m4 hou2 gam3 zou6. — Don't do it like this.

咁樣 gam3 joeng6 like this/this way 唔好咁樣做。 — m4 hou2 gam3 joeng6 zou6. — Don't do it this way.

咁樣 + V gam3 joeng6 + V do so 你可以咁樣做。 — nei5 ho2 ji5 gam3 joeng6 zou6. — You can do it this way.

21. Very important Cantonese aspect-related adverbials

Some words traditionally get grouped with “adverbs,” although grammatically they are better analyzed as aspect markers or aspectual particles.

Cantonese Jyutping Function Example

緊 gan2 progressive/in progress 我食緊飯。 — ngo5 sik6 gan2 faan6. — I'm eating.

咗 zo2 completed/change of state 我食咗飯。 — ngo5 sik6 zo2 faan6. — I ate/have eaten.

過 gwo3 experiential 我去過香港。 — ngo5 heoi3 gwo3 Hoeng1 Gong2. — I've been to Hong Kong.

完 jyun4 completely finish 我食完飯喇。 — ngo5 sik6 jyun4 faan6 laa3. — I've finished eating.

住 zyu6 durative/keep doing 你等住我。 — nei5 dang2 zyu6 ngo5. — Wait for me.

開始 hoi1 ci2 begin 佢開始做嘢。 — keoi5 hoi1 ci2 zou6 je5. — He started working.

繼續 gai3 zuk6 continue 佢繼續講。 — keoi5 gai3 zuk6 gong2. — He continued speaking.

再 zoi3 again/future repetition 再講一次。 — zoi3 gong2 jat1 ci3. — Say it again.

仲 zung6 still 佢仲食緊飯。 — keoi5 zung6 sik6 gan2 faan6. — He's still eating.

已經 ji5 ging1 already 佢已經走咗。 — keoi5 ji5 ging1 zau2 zo2. — He has already left.

未 mei6 not yet 佢未走。 — keoi5 mei6 zau2. — He hasn't left yet.

22. Common colloquial Cantonese adverbs

These are especially useful in everyday speech.

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

咁 gam3 so/this way 咁快？ — gam3 faai3? — So fast?

咁樣 gam3 joeng6 like this 唔好咁樣。 — m4 hou2 gam3 joeng6. — Don't be like this.

咁就 gam3 zau6 then/in that case 咁就算啦。 — gam3 zau6 syun3 laa1. — Then forget it.

就 zau6 just/then 你就坐低啦。 — nei5 zau6 co5 dai1 laa1. — Then just sit down.

仲 zung6 still/even 仲有冇？ — zung6 jau5 mou5? — Is there still any?

又 jau6 again/also 你又嚟喇。 — nei5 jau6 lai4 laa3. — You're here again.

都 dou1 all/even 我都知。 — ngo5 dou1 zi1. — I know too.

先 sin1 first/only then 你先食。 — nei5 sin1 sik6. — You eat first.

至 zi3 only then/not until 而家至知。 — ji4 gaa1 zi3 zi1. — Only now do I know.

啱啱 ngaam1 ngaam1 just/recently 佢啱啱走。 — keoi5 ngaam1 ngaam1 zau2. — He just left.

頭先 tau4 sin1 just now 頭先有人打電話畀我。 — tau4 sin1 jau5 jan4 daa2 din6 waa2 bei2 ngo5. — Someone called me just now.

一陣 jat1 zan6 later/in a little while 一陣再講。 — jat1 zan6 zoi3 gong2. — We'll talk later.

一陣間 jat1 zan6 gaan1 in a little while 我一陣間返嚟。 — ngo5 jat1 zan6 gaan1 faan1 lei4. — I'll be back in a little while.

即刻 zik1 hak1 immediately 即刻去！ — zik1 hak1 heoi3! — Go immediately!

快啲 faai3 di1 quickly 快啲食！ — faai3 di1 sik6! — Eat quickly!

慢啲 maan6 di1 more slowly 慢啲講。 — maan6 di1 gong2. — Speak more slowly.

10- CONJUNCTIONS:

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

同 tung4 and/with 我同佢一齊去。 — ngo5 tung4 keoi5 jat1 cai4 heoi3. — I went with him.

同埋 tung4 maai4 and 我買咗麵包同埋牛奶。 — ngo5 maai5 zo2 min6 baau1 tung4 maai4 ngau4 naai5. — I bought bread and milk.

以及 ji5 kap6 and/as well as 我哋需要時間以及金錢。 — ngo5 dei6 seoi1 jiu3 si4 gaan3 ji5 kap6 gam1 cin2. — We need time as well as money.

及 kap6 and/as well as 公司及員工都要遵守規則。 — gung1 si1 kap6 jyun4 gung1 dou1 jiu3 zeon1 sau2 kwai1 zak1. — The company and employees must follow the rules.

仲有 zung6 jau5 and also/in addition 我買咗水果，仲有蛋糕。 — ngo5 maai5 zo2 seoi2 gwo2, zung6 jau5 daan6 gou1. — I bought fruit and also cake.

Common paired forms

Formation Jyutping English Example

又...又... jau6...jau6 both...and... 佢又高又靚。 — keoi5 jau6 gou1 jau6 leng3. — She is both tall and beautiful.

一方面...另一方面... jat1 fong1 min6...ling6 jat1 fong1 min6 on the one hand...on the other hand 一方面方便，另一方面又貴。 — jat1 fong1 min6 fong1 bin6, ling6 jat1 fong1 min6 jau6 gwai3. — On one hand it's convenient; on the other hand it's expensive.

不但...而且... bat1 daan6...ji4 ce2 not only...but also... 佢不但識英文，而且識廣東話。 — keoi5 bat1 daan6 sik1 jing1 man4, ji4 ce2 sik1 Gwong2 dung1 waa2. — He knows not only English but also Cantonese.

唔單止...仲... m4 daan1 zi2...zung6 not only...but also... 佢唔單止識英文，仲識中文。 — keoi5 m4 daan1 zi2 sik1 jing1 man4, zung6 sik1 zung1 man4. — He knows not only English but also Chinese.

2. Alternative conjunctions — or

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

或者 waak6 ze2 or/perhaps 你可以坐巴士或者搭地鐵。 — nei5 ho2 ji5 co5 baa1 si6 waak6 ze2 daap3 dei6 tit3. — You can take the bus or the MTR.

定係 ding6 hai6 or (in questions) 你食飯定係食麵？ — nei5 sik6 faan6 ding6 hai6 sik6 min6? — Are you eating rice or noodles?

抑或 jik1 wo6 or/alternatively (formal) 你接受抑或拒絕？ — nei5 zip3 sau6 jik1 wo6 keoi5 zyuh3? — Will you accept or refuse?

或 waak6 or (formal/written) 你可以選擇A或B。 — nei5 ho2 ji5 syun2 zaak6 A waak6 B. — You can choose A or B.

又或者 jau6 waak6 ze2 or alternatively 你可以搭巴士，又或者坐地鐵。 — nei5 ho2 ji5 daap3 baa1 si6, jau6 waak6 ze2 co5 dei6 tit3. — You can take the bus, or alternatively the MTR.

Correlative alternatives

Formation English Example

或者...或者... either...or... 或者你去，或者我去。 — waak6 ze2 nei5 heoi3, waak6 ze2 ngo5 heoi3. — Either you go or I go.

定係...定係... whether...or... 你定係留低，定係走？ — nei5 ding6 hai6 lau4 dai1, ding6 hai6 zau2? — Are you staying or leaving?

唔係...就係... either...or... 佢唔係老師，就係學生。 — keoi5 m4 hai6 lou5 si1, zau6 hai6 hok6 saang1. — He's either a teacher or a student.

3. Contrastive conjunctions — but / whereas

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

但係 daan6 hai6 but 我想去，但係我冇時間。 — ngo5 soeng2 heoi3, daan6 hai6 ngo5 mou5 si4 gaan3. — I want to go, but I don't have time.

不過 bat1 gwo3 however/but 呢個比較貴，不過質量好。 — ni1 go3 bei2 gaau3 gwai3, bat1 gwo3 zat1 loeng6 hou2. — This is more expensive, but the quality is good.

但 daan6 but (formal/written) 我明白，但我唔同意。 — ngo5 ming4 baak6, daan6 ngo5 m4 tung4 ji3. — I understand, but I don't agree.

而 ji4 whereas/while/and 佢鍾意咖啡，而我鍾意茶。 — keoi5 zung1 ji3 gaa3 fe1, ji4 ngo5 zung1 ji3 caa4. — He likes coffee, whereas I like tea.

反而 faan2 ji4 instead/rather 佢冇嬲，反而好開心。 — keoi5 mou5 nau1, faan2 ji4 hou2 hoi1 sam1. — He wasn't angry; instead, he was happy.

只不過 zi2 bat1 gwo3 it's just that/however 我想幫你，只不過我冇時間。 — ngo5 soeng2 bong1 nei5, zi2 bat1 gwo3 ngo5 mou5 si4 gaan3. — I want to help you; it's just that I don't have time.

只係 zi2 hai6 it's just that/only 我想去，只係今日太攰。 — ngo5 soeng2 heoi3, zi2 hai6 gam1 jat6 taai3 gui6. — I want to go; it's just that I'm too tired today.

4. Causal conjunctions — because

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

因為 jan1 wai6 because 因為落雨，所以我冇去。 — jan1 wai6 lok6 jyu5, so2 ji5 ngo5 mou5 heoi3. — Because it rained, I didn't go.

由於 jau4 jyu1 because/due to (formal) 由於天氣惡劣，航班取消。 — jau4 jyu1 tin1 hei3 ok3 lit6, hong4 baan1 ceoi2 siu1. — Due to bad weather, the flight was cancelled.

皆因 gaai1 jan1 because (literary) 皆因時間不足。 — gaai1 jan1 si4 gaan3 bat1 zuk1. — It's because there wasn't enough time.

事關 si6 gwaan1 because/the matter is 事關我今日有事。 — si6 gwaan1 ngo5 gam1 jat6 jau5 si6. — It's because I have something to do today.

Cause → result

Formation English Example

因為...所以... because...therefore/so... 因為我病咗，所以冇返工。 — jan1 wai6 ngo5 beng6 zo2, so2 ji5 mou5 faan1 gung1. — Because I was sick, I didn't go to work.

因為...因此... because...therefore... 因為時間有限，因此我哋要快啲。 — jan1 wai6 si4 gaan3 jau5 haan6, jan1 ci2 ngo5 dei6 jiu3 faai3 di1. — Because time is limited, therefore we need to hurry.

5. Result conjunctions

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

所以 so2 ji5 so/therefore 我病咗，所以冇去。 — ngo5 beng6 zo2, so2 ji5 mou5 heoi3. — I was sick, so I didn't go.

因此 jan1 ci2 therefore 天氣太差，因此航班取消。 — tin1 hei3 taai3 caa1, jan1 ci2 hong4 baan1 ceoi2 siu1. — The weather was too bad; therefore the flight was cancelled.

因而 jan1 ji4 thus/as a result 佢遲到，因而錯過咗班車。 — keoi5 ci4 dou3, jan1 ji4 co3 gwo3 zo2 baan1 ce1. — He was late and thus missed the bus.

結果 git3 gwo2 as a result/in the end 佢冇帶遮，結果濕晒。 — keoi5 mou5 daai3 ze1, git3 gwo2 sap1 saai3. — He didn't bring an umbrella, and as a result he got completely wet.

Note: 所以, 因此, 因而, 結果 are often more accurately analyzed as connective adverbs rather than simple conjunctions.

6. Purpose conjunctions — so that / in order to

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

為咗 wai6 zo2 in order to/for the purpose of 我為咗學廣東話而每日練習。 — ngo5 wai6 zo2 hok6 Gwong2 dung1 waa2 ji4 mui5 jat6 lin6 zaap6. — I practise every day in order to learn Cantonese.

等 dang2 so that/in order to 我早啲出門口，等可以準時到。 — ngo5 zou2 di1 ceot1 mun4 hau2, dang2 ho2 ji5 zeon2 si4 dou3. — I leave early so that I can arrive on time.

以便 ji5 bin6 so that/in order that (formal) 請寫清楚，以便我哋處理。 — cing2 se2 cing1 co2, ji5 bin6 ngo5 dei6 cyu5 lei5. — Please write clearly so that we can process it.

以免 ji5 min5 so as not to/lest 快啲走，以免遲到。 — faai3 di1 zau2, ji5 min5 ci4 dou3. — Leave quickly so as not to be late.

7. Conditional conjunctions — if

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

如果 jyu4 gwo2 if 如果落雨，我就唔去。 — jyu4 gwo2 lok6 jyu5, ngo5 zau6 m4 heoi3. — If it rains, I won't go.

若果 joek6 gwo2 if 若果你有時間，就嚟啦。 — joek6 gwo2 nei5 jau5 si4 gaan3, zau6 lai4 laa1. — If you have time, come.

假如 gaa2 jyu4 if/supposing 假如我有錢，我會買樓。 — gaa2 jyu4 ngo5 jau5 cin2, ngo5 wui5 maai5 lau4. — If I had money, I would buy a house.

假若 gaa2 joek6 if/supposing (formal) 假若發生問題，我哋會通知你。 — gaa2 joek6 faat3 sang1 man6 tai4, ngo5 dei6 wui5 tung1 zi1 nei5. — If a problem occurs, we'll notify you.

倘若 tong2 joek6 if/provided that (formal) 倘若你同意，我哋就開始。 — tong2 joek6 nei5 tung4 ji3, ngo5 dei6 zau6 hoi1 ci2. — If you agree, we'll begin.

若 joek6 if (formal) 若有問題，請通知我。 — joek6 jau5 man6 tai4, cing2 tung1 zi1 ngo5. — If there is a problem, please notify me.

Conditional paired constructions

Formation English Example

如果...就... if...then... 如果你想食，就食啦。 — jyu4 gwo2 nei5 soeng2 sik6, zau6 sik6 laa1. — If you want to eat, then eat.

如果...咁就... if...then... 如果唔得，咁就算啦。 — jyu4 gwo2 m4 dak1, gam2 zau6 syun3 laa1. — If it doesn't work, then forget it.

只要...就... as long as... 只要你努力，就會成功。 — zi2 jiu3 nei5 nou5 lik6, zau6 wui5 sing4 gung1. — As long as you work hard, you'll succeed.

只要...便... as long as...then... (formal) 只要有時間便可以開始。 — zi2 jiu3 jau5 si4 gaan3 bin6 ho2 ji5 hoi1 ci2. — As long as there is time, we can begin.

除非...否則... unless...otherwise... 除非落雨，否則我會去。 — ceoi4 fei1 lok6 jyu5, fau2 zak1 ngo5 wui5 heoi3. — Unless it rains, I'll go.

除非...唔係就... unless...otherwise... 除非你唔想去，唔係就一齊去啦。 — ceoi4 fei1 nei5 m4 soeng2 heoi3, m4 hai6 zau6 jat1 cai4 heoi3 laa1. — Unless you don't want to go, let's go together.

只係...先... only if... 你努力先會成功。 — nei5 nou5 lik6 sin1 wui5 sing4 gung1. — You will succeed only if you work hard.

先至... only then 做完先至可以走。 — zou6 jyun4 sin1 zi3 ho2 ji5 zau2. — You can leave only after finishing.

8. Concessive conjunctions — although / even if

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

雖然 seoi1 jin4 although 雖然落雨，我都會去。 — seoi1 jin4 lok6 jyu5, ngo5 dou1 wui5 heoi3. — Although it's raining, I'll still go.

儘管 zeon6 gun2 although/even though 儘管好攰，佢都繼續做。 — zeon6 gun2 hou2 gui6, keoi5 dou1 gai3 zuk6 zou6. — Although he was tired, he continued.

即使 zik1 si2 even if 即使落雨，我都會去。 — zik1 si2 lok6 jyu5, ngo5 dou1 wui5 heoi3. — Even if it rains, I'll go.

就算 zau6 syun3 even if/even though 就算好貴，我都會買。 — zau6 syun3 hou2 gwai3, ngo5 dou1 wui5 maai5. — Even if it's expensive, I'll buy it.

縱使 zung3 si2 even if (formal) 縱使失敗，我都唔會放棄。 — zung3 si2 sat1 baai6, ngo5 dou1 m4 wui5 fong3 hei3. — Even if I fail, I won't give up.

儘管...都... although...still... 儘管困難，佢都冇放棄。 — zeon6 gun2 kwan3 naan4, keoi5 dou1 mou5 fong3 hei3. — Although it was difficult, he didn't give up.

即使...都... even if...still... 即使失敗，我都會再試。 — zik1 si2 sat1 baai6, ngo5 dou1 wui5 zoi3 si3. — Even if I fail, I'll try again.

就算...都... even if...still... 就算好遠，我都會去。 — zau6 syun3 hou2 jyun5, ngo5 dou1 wui5 heoi3. — Even if it's very far, I'll go.

9. Temporal conjunctions — when / while / after / before

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

當 dong1 when/while 當我返到屋企，佢已經瞓咗。 — dong1 ngo5 faan1 dou3 uk1 kei2, keoi5 ji5 ging1 fan3 zo2. — When I got home, he had already gone to sleep.

當...嘅時候 dong1...ge3 si4 hau6 when 當我細個嘅時候，我住喺香港。 — dong1 ngo5 sai3 go3 ge3 si4 hau6, ngo5 zyu6 hai2 Hoeng1 Gong2. — When I was young, I lived in Hong Kong.

當...嗰陣 dong1...go2 zan6 when/at the time 當我返到嗰陣，佢已經走咗。 — dong1 ngo5 faan1 dou3 go2 zan6, keoi5 ji5 ging1 zau2 zo2. — When I got back, he had already left.

當...時 dong1...si4 when (formal) 當我到達時，門已經關咗。 — dong1 ngo5 dou3 daat6 si4, mun4 ji5 ging1 gwaan1 zo2. — When I arrived, the door had already closed.

當...之時 dong1...zi1 si4 when (literary) 當危急之時，佢幫助咗我。 — dong1 ngai4 gap1 zi1 si4, keoi5 bong1 zo6 ngo5. — When there was danger, he helped me.

喺...之前 hai2...zi1 cin4 before 食飯之前要洗手。 — sik6 faan6 zi1 cin4 jiu3 sai2 sau2. — Wash your hands before eating.

喺...之後 hai2...zi1 hau6 after 食飯之後我哋去行街。 — sik6 faan6 zi1 hau6 ngo5 dei6 heoi3 haang4 gaai1. — After eating, we went shopping.

之前 zi1 cin4 before 之前我見過佢。 — zi1 cin4 ngo5 gin3 gwo3 keoi5. — I saw him before.

之後 zi1 hau6 after/afterwards 之後我哋再講。 — zi1 hau6 ngo5 dei6 zoi3 gong2. — We'll talk afterwards.

當...就... dong1...zau6 when...then... 當佢返嚟，我就話畀佢知。 — dong1 keoi5 faan1 lei4, ngo5 zau6 waa6 bei2 keoi5 zi1. — When he comes back, I'll tell him.

一...就... jat1...zau6 as soon as... 佢一返屋企就食飯。 — keoi5 jat1 faan1 uk1 kei2 zau6 sik6 faan6. — As soon as he gets home, he eats.

一...便... jat1...bin6 as soon as... (formal) 佢一到便開始。 — keoi5 jat1 dou3 bin6 hoi1 ci2. — As soon as he arrived, it began.

等到 dang2 dou3 until/when 等到你返嚟先食。 — dang2 dou3 nei5 faan1 lei4 sin1 sik6. — We'll eat when you come back.

直到 zik6 dou3 until 佢等到夜晚。 — keoi5 dang2 dou3 je6 maan5. — He waited until evening.

直至 zik6 zi3 until (formal) 直至今日，我仍然記得。 — zik6 zi3 gam1 jat6, ngo5 jing4 jin4 gei3 dak1. — Even today, I still remember.

自從 zi6 cung4 since 自從佢搬走之後，我冇見過佢。 — zi6 cung4 keoi5 bun1 zau2 zi1 hau6, ngo5 mou5 gin3 gwo3 keoi5. — Since he moved away, I haven't seen him.

直到...為止 zik6 dou3...wai4 zi2 until 我會等你直到你返嚟為止。 — ngo5 wui5 dang2 nei5 zik6 dou3 nei5 faan1 lei4 wai4 zi2. — I'll wait until you return.

每當 mui5 dong1 whenever/every time 每當落雨，我就留喺屋企。 — mui5 dong1 lok6 jyu5, ngo5 zau6 lau4 hai2 uk1 kei2. — Whenever it rains, I stay home.

每逢 mui5 fung4 whenever/every time 每逢星期日，我都休息。 — mui5 fung4 sing1 kei4 jat6, ngo5 dou1 jau1 sik1. — Every Sunday, I rest.

一...便... jat1...bin6 once/as soon as 一到屋企便瞓覺。 — jat1 dou3 uk1 kei2 bin6 fan3 gaau3. — Once I get home, I sleep.

10. “Until” constructions

Formation Jyutping English Example

直到... zik6 dou3... until... 我等到直到夜晚。 — ngo5 dang2 dou3 zik6 dou3 je6 maan5. — I waited until evening.

直至... zik6 zi3... until... 直至今日，我都記得。 — zik6 zi3 gam1 jat6, ngo5 dou1 gei3 dak1. — I still remember to this day.

等到...先... dang2 dou3...sin1 only after/until...then... 等到佢返嚟先開始。 — dang2 dou3 keoi5 faan1 lei4 sin1 hoi1 ci2. — We'll begin only when he returns.

...之前 ...zi1 cin4 before... 食飯之前洗手。 — sik6 faan6 zi1 cin4 sai2 sau2. — Wash your hands before eating.

...之後 ...zi1 hau6 after... 食飯之後休息。 — sik6 faan6 zi1 hau6 jau1 sik1. — Rest after eating.

11. Comparative conjunctions

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

好似...咁 hou2 ci5...gam3 like/as 佢好似老師咁講嘢。 — keoi5 hou2 ci5 lou5 si1 gam3 gong2 je5. — He speaks like a teacher.

好似...一樣 hou2 ci5...jat1 joeng6 just like/as...same 佢好似小朋友一樣。 — keoi5 hou2 ci5 siu2 pang4 jau5 jat1 joeng6. — He's just like a child.

同...一樣 tung4...jat1 joeng6 the same as 呢個同嗰個一樣。 — ni1 go3 tung4 go2 go3 jat1 joeng6. — This is the same as that.

比 bei2 than 佢高過我。 — keoi5 gou1 gwo3 ngo5. — He's taller than me.

過 gwo3 than 佢跑得快過我。 — keoi5 paau2 dak1 faai3 gwo3 ngo5. — He runs faster than me.

不如 bat1 jyu4 rather than/as good as 與其等，不如而家走。 — jyu5 kei4 dang2, bat1 jyu4 ji4 gaa1 zau2. — Rather than wait, we'd better leave now.

與其...不如... jyu5 kei4...bat1 jyu4 rather than...it is better to... 與其擔心，不如做好準備。 — jyu5 kei4 daam1 sam1, bat1 jyu4 zou6 hou2 zeon2 bei6. — Rather than worry, it's better to prepare.

越...越... jyut6...jyut6 the more...the more... 越學越容易。 — jyut6 hok6 jyut6 jung4 ji6. — The more you study, the easier it becomes.

越來越 jyut6 loi4 jyut6 increasingly 天氣越來越熱。 — tin1 hei3 jyut6 loi4 jyut6 jit6. — The weather is getting hotter and hotter.

越...就越... jyut6...zau6 jyut6 the more...the more... 你越練習就越熟。 — nei5 jyut6 lin6 zaap6 zau6 jyut6 suk6. — The more you practise, the more familiar you become.

12. Manner conjunctions — how / as

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

點樣...就點樣... dim2 joeng6...zau6 dim2 joeng6 however...so... 你點樣做，我就點樣做。 — nei5 dim2 joeng6 zou6, ngo5 zau6 dim2 joeng6 zou6. — I'll do it however you do it.

點...就點... dim2...zau6 dim2 however... 你點講，我就點做。 — nei5 dim2 gong2, ngo5 zau6 dim2 zou6. — I'll do it however you say.

好似...咁 hou2 ci5...gam3 as/like 佢好似冇事咁。 — keoi5 hou2 ci5 mou5 si6 gam2. — He acts as if nothing happened.

彷彿 fong2 fat1 as if/apparently (literary) 彷彿乜嘢都冇發生過。 — fong2 fat1 mat1 je5 dou1 mou5 faat3 sang1 gwo3. — As if nothing had happened.

仿佛 fong2 fat1 as if (formal) 仿佛世界靜止咗。 — fong2 fat1 sai3 gaai3 zing6 zi2 zo2. — It was as if the world had stopped.

13. Complement/content conjunctions

These connect a verb to a following clause.

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

話 waa6 say that 佢話佢今日唔嚟。 — keoi5 waa6 keoi5 gam1 jat6 m4 lai4. — He said that he isn't coming today.

話... waa6... say that... 我話你唔使擔心。 — ngo5 waa6 nei5 m4 sai2 daam1 sam1. — I said that you don't need to worry.

原來 jyun4 loi4 it turns out that 原來佢識講廣東話。 — jyun4 loi4 keoi5 sik1 gong2 Gwong2 dung1 waa2. — It turns out that he can speak Cantonese.

就係 zau6 hai6 it is precisely that 問題就係佢唔肯幫手。 — man6 tai4 zau6 hai6 keoi5 m4 hang2 bong1 sau2. — The problem is that he won't help.

即係 zik1 hai6 that is/meaning that 即係你唔想去？ — zik1 hai6 nei5 m4 soeng2 heoi3? — So you mean you don't want to go?

定 ding6 whether/or 我唔知佢嚟唔嚟。 — ngo5 m4 zi1 keoi5 lai4 m4 lai4. — I don't know whether he's coming.

Important Cantonese feature

Cantonese often does not need a separate equivalent of English “that.”

English:

I know that he is here.

Cantonese:

我知佢喺度。

ngo5 zi1 keoi5 hai2 dou6.

I know he is here.

So that-clause complementizers are often zero-marked.

14. Yes/no embedded questions

Formation English Example

V + 唔 + V whether...or not 我唔知佢嚟唔嚟。 — ngo5 m4 zi1 keoi5 lai4 m4 lai4. — I don't know whether he's coming.

V + 冇 + V whether did/didn't 我唔知佢有冇去。 — ngo5 m4 zi1 keoi5 jau5 mou5 heoi3. — I don't know whether he went.

A + 唔 + A whether adjective or not 我唔知貴唔貴。 — ngo5 m4 zi1 gwai3 m4 gwai3. — I don't know whether it's expensive.

定係 ding6 hai6 or/whether

15. Negative conjunctions

Formation Jyutping English Example

唔...亦唔... m4...jik6 m4 neither...nor... 佢唔食肉，亦唔食魚。 — keoi5 m4 sik6 juk6, jik6 m4 sik6 jyu4. — He eats neither meat nor fish.

又唔...又唔... jau6 m4...jau6 m4 neither...nor... 佢又唔食，又唔飲。 — keoi5 jau6 m4 sik6, jau6 m4 jam2. — He neither eats nor drinks.

唔係...亦唔係... m4 hai6...jik6 m4 hai6 neither...nor... 佢唔係老師，亦唔係學生。 — keoi5 m4 hai6 lou5 si1, jik6 m4 hai6 hok6 saang1. — He is neither a teacher nor a student.

冇...亦冇... mou5...jik6 mou5 neither...nor... 屋企冇水亦冇電。 — uk1 kei2 mou5 seoi2 jik6 mou5 din6. — The house has neither water nor electricity.

16. Correlative conjunctions

These are especially important in Cantonese.

Formation Jyutping English

又...又... jau6...jau6 both...and...

唔係...就係... m4 hai6...zau6 hai6 either...or...

或者...或者... waak6 ze2...waak6 ze2 either...or...

只要...就... zi2 jiu3...zau6 as long as...then...

如果...就... jyu4 gwo2...zau6 if...then...

如果...咁就... jyu4 gwo2...gam2 zau6 if...then...

除非...否則... ceoi4 fei1...fau2 zak1 unless...otherwise...

除非...先... ceoi4 fei1...sin1 unless...only then...

雖然...但係... seoi1 jin4...daan6 hai6 although...but...

雖然...都... seoi1 jin4...dou1 although...still...

即使...都... zik1 si2...dou1 even if...still...

就算...都... zau6 syun3...dou1 even if...still...

因為...所以... jan1 wai6...so2 ji5 because...so...

越...越... jyut6...jyut6 the more...the more...

越...就越... jyut6...zau6 jyut6 the more...the more...

與其...不如... jyu5 kei4...bat1 jyu4 rather than...better...

不但...而且... bat1 daan6...ji4 ce2 not only...but also...

唔單止...仲... m4 daan1 zi2...zung6 not only...but also...

一...就... jat1...zau6 as soon as...

一方面...另一方面... jat1 fong1 min6...ling6 jat1 fong1 min6 on one hand...on the other...

又...又... jau6...jau6 both...and...

有時...有時... jau5 si4...jau5 si4 sometimes...sometimes...

一時...一時... jat1 si4...jat1 si4 sometimes...sometimes...

17. “No matter” conjunctions

Cantonese commonly uses 疑問詞 + 都 or 疑問詞 + 乜都/邊都, rather than a single conjunction.

Formation Jyutping English Example

點...都... dim2...dou1 no matter how... 點做都冇問題。 — dim2 zou6 dou1 mou5 man6 tai4. — No matter how you do it, there's no problem.

點樣...都... dim2 joeng6...dou1 however... 點樣做都可以。 — dim2 joeng6 zou6 dou1 ho2 ji5. — You can do it however you want.

邊個...都... bin1 go3...dou1 whoever... 邊個去都得。 — bin1 go3 heoi3 dou1 dak1. — Whoever goes is fine.

邊度...都... bin1 dou6...dou1 wherever... 邊度去都得。 — bin1 dou6 heoi3 dou1 dak1. — You can go anywhere.

幾時...都... gei2 si4...dou1 whenever... 幾時嚟都得。 — gei2 si4 lai4 dou1 dak1. — You can come whenever.

乜嘢...都... mat1 je5...dou1 whatever... 乜嘢都可以。 — mat1 je5 dou1 ho2 ji5. — Anything is fine.

幾多...都... gei2 do1...dou1 however many/much... 幾多錢都買唔到。 — gei2 do1 cin2 dou1 maai5 m4 dou2. — No amount of money can buy it.

18. Connective words often grouped with conjunctions

These are not all strict conjunctions, but they are essential for connecting Cantonese sentences.

Cantonese Jyutping English

所以 so2 ji5 therefore/so

因此 jan1 ci2 therefore

因而 jan1 ji4 thus

不過 bat1 gwo3 however

反而 faan2 ji4 instead

仲有 zung6 jau5 furthermore/in addition

另外 ling6 ngoi6 additionally

總之 zung2 zi1 in short/anyway

其實 kei4 sat6 actually

即係 zik1 hai6 that is/meaning

原來 jyun4 loi4 it turns out

同時 tung4 si4 at the same time

另一方面 ling6 jat1 fong1 min6 on the other hand

最後 zeoi3 hau6 finally

然後 jin4 hau6 then

因此 jan1 ci2 therefore

例如 lai6 jyu4 for example

即使 zik1 si2 even if

總括嚟講 zung2 kut3 lai4 gong2 generally/in summary

簡單嚟講 gaan2 daan1 lai4 gong2 simply speaking

19. Important Cantonese particles that are NOT conjunctions

These can sometimes appear near clause boundaries, but they should not be classified as conjunctions.

Particle Jyutping Function

啦 laa1 suggestion/change of situation

喇 laa3 new situation/completion

呀 aa3 sentence-final tone/emphasis

囉 lo1 obviousness/statement

咩 me1 surprise/question/challenge

呢 ne1 question/topic

啫 ze1 only/that's all

吖 aa1 emphasis

喎 wo3 reported/discovered information

㗎 gaa3 assertion/emphasis

嘅 ge3 nominalization/attributive/assurance

先 sin1 first/only then

都 dou1 all/even/also

就 zau6 then/just/precisely

11- PREPOSITIONS:

# Cantonese Jyutping English Full example

1 喺 hai2 at; in; on 我喺屋企食飯。

ngo5 hai2 uk1 kei2 sik6 faan6. — I eat at home.

2 喺度 hai2 dou6 at; here/there 佢喺度等你。

keoi5 hai2 dou6 dang2 nei5. — He is here waiting for you.

3 喺入面 hai2 jap6 min6 inside 佢喺入面睇書。

keoi5 hai2 jap6 min6 tai2 syu1. — He is reading inside.

4 喺外面 hai2 ngoi6 min6 outside 我喺外面等你。

ngo5 hai2 ngoi6 min6 dang2 nei5. — I am waiting for you outside.

5 向 hoeng3 toward; in the direction of 佢向我行過嚟。

keoi5 hoeng3 ngo5 haang4 gwo3 lai4. — He walked toward me.

6 對住 deoi3 zyu6 facing; toward 佢對住我笑。

keoi5 deoi3 zyu6 ngo5 siu3. — He smiled at me.

7 對於 deoi3 jyu1 regarding; toward; as for 對於呢件事，我有意見。

deoi3 jyu1 ni1 gin6 si6, ngo5 jau5 ji3 gin3. — Regarding this matter, I have an opinion.

8 同 tung4 with; to 我同佢講咗。

ngo5 tung4 keoi5 gong2 zo2. — I spoke to him.

9 跟 gan1 with; following 我跟佢去。

ngo5 gan1 keoi5 heoi3. — I am going with him.

10 同埋 tung4 maai4 with; and 我同埋朋友去。

ngo5 tung4 maai4 pang4 jau5 heoi3. — I am going with a friend.

2. Source / from

# Cantonese Jyutping English Full example

11 由 jau4 from; by 我由香港返嚟。

ngo5 jau4 hoeng1 gong2 faan1 lai4. — I came back from Hong Kong.

12 從 cung4 from; since 我從細個就識佢。

ngo5 cung4 sai3 go3 zau6 sik1 keoi5. — I have known him since I was young.

13 從...開始 cung4...hoi1 ci2 starting from 從今日開始，我要努力。

cung4 gam1 jat6 hoi1 ci2, ngo5 jiu3 nou5 lik6. — Starting today, I will work hard.

14 由...開始 jau4...hoi1 ci2 starting from 由下個星期開始，我會返工。

jau4 haa6 go3 sing1 kei4 hoi1 ci2, ngo5 wui5 faan1 gung1. — Starting next week, I will work.

15 由...到... jau4...dou3... from...to... 由朝早到夜晚，我都好忙。

jau4 ziu1 zou2 dou3 je6 maan5, ngo5 dou1 hou2 mong4. — From morning to night, I am very busy.

3. To / toward / destination

# Cantonese Jyutping English Full example

16 去 heoi3 to 我去學校。

ngo5 heoi3 hok6 haau6. — I go to school.

17 到 dou3 to; until; as far as 我到公司先食飯。

ngo5 dou3 gung1 si1 sin1 sik6 faan6. — I'll eat only after I get to the office.

18 向 hoeng3 toward 佢向門口行。

keoi5 hoeng3 mun4 hau2 haang4. — He walked toward the door.

19 朝住 ziu1 zyu6 toward 佢朝住我哋行過嚟。

keoi5 ziu1 zyu6 ngo5 dei6 haang4 gwo3 lai4. — He walked toward us.

20 對住 deoi3 zyu6 toward; facing 間房對住海。

gaan1 fong2 deoi3 zyu6 hoi2. — The room faces the sea.

Note: 去 heoi3 is primarily a verb (“go”), but Cantonese also uses it in destination constructions.

4. Location

# Cantonese Jyutping English

21 喺 hai2 at/in/on

22 喺入面 hai2 jap6 min6 inside

23 喺外面 hai2 ngoi6 min6 outside

24 喺上面 hai2 soeng6 min6 on top of

25 喺下面 hai2 haa6 min6 underneath

26 喺前面 hai2 cin4 min6 in front of

27 喺後面 hai2 hau6 min6 behind

28 喺旁邊 hai2 pong4 bin1 beside

29 喺附近 hai2 fu6 gan6 near

30 喺中間 hai2 zung1 gaan1 in the middle of

31 喺之間 hai2 zi1 gaan1 between

32 喺附近 hai2 fu6 gan6 near

33 喺周圍 hai2 zau1 wai4 around

Example:

本書喺張枱上面。

bun2 syu1 hai2 zoeng1 toi2 soeng6 min6.

The book is on the table.

5. With / together with

Cantonese Jyutping English

同 tung4 with

跟 gan1 with; following

同埋 tung4 maai4 with; together with

跟住 gan1 zyu6 following; after

同...一齊 tung4...jat1 cai4 together with

同...一樣 tung4...jat1 joeng6 same as

Example:

我同朋友一齊食飯。

ngo5 tung4 pang4 jau5 jat1 cai4 sik6 faan6.

I eat with my friends.

6. Beneficiary / recipient

Cantonese Jyutping English

畀 bei2 to; for

為 wai6 for; on behalf of

為咗 wai6 zo2 for the sake of; in order to

對 deoi3 to; toward

對於 deoi3 jyu1 regarding; toward

Example:

我買咗份禮物畀佢。

ngo5 maai5 zo2 fan6 lai5 mat6 bei2 keoi5.

I bought a gift for him.

畀 bei2 is extremely important in spoken Cantonese. It can express the recipient/beneficiary of an action.

7. Instrument / means

Cantonese Jyutping English

用 jung6 with; using; by means of

靠 kaau3 by; through; relying on

經 ging1 through; via

經過 ging1 gwo3 through; via

透過 tau3 gwo3 through; by means of

藉住 zik6 zyu6 by means of; through

Examples:

我用刀切麵包。

ngo5 jung6 dou1 cit3 min6 baau1.

I cut the bread with a knife.

我哋透過網絡學習。

ngo5 dei6 tau3 gwo3 mong5 lok6 hok6 zaap6.

We learn through the internet.

8. By — agent in passive constructions

Cantonese commonly uses 畀 bei2 for the agent in passive constructions.

Cantonese Jyutping English

畀 bei2 by

俾 bei2 by — variant writing

受到 sau6 dou3 be subjected to

經 ging1 through/by

Example:

本書畀老師寫。

bun2 syu1 bei2 lou5 si1 se2.

The book was written by the teacher.

More naturally, Cantonese often uses a passive construction such as:

本書畀老師寫咗。

bun2 syu1 bei2 lou5 si1 se2 zo2.

The book was written by the teacher.

9. About / concerning / regarding

Cantonese Jyutping English

關於 gwaan1 jyu1 about; concerning

對於 deoi3 jyu1 regarding; toward

關於...嘅 gwaan1 jyu1...ge3 concerning...

就 zau6 regarding; concerning; as for

至於 zi3 jyu1 as for; regarding

Examples:

關於呢個問題，我想講幾句。

gwaan1 jyu1 ni1 go3 man6 tai4, ngo5 soeng2 gong2 gei2 geoi3.

Regarding this question, I want to say a few things.

至於佢，我唔知道。

zi3 jyu1 keoi5, ngo5 m4 zi1 dou6.

As for him, I don't know.

10. For / purpose

Cantonese Jyutping English

為 wai6 for

為咗 wai6 zo2 for; in order to

為...而 wai6...ji4 for the purpose of

為咗...而 wai6 zo2...ji4 in order to

等 dang2 so that; in order to

以便 ji5 bin6 so that; in order to — formal

Example:

我為咗你而努力。

ngo5 wai6 zo2 nei5 ji4 nou5 lik6.

I work hard for you.

11. Because of / due to

Cantonese Jyutping English

因為 jan1 wai6 because of

由於 jau4 jyu1 due to

因 jan1 because of — formal

由...造成 jau4...zou6 sing4 caused by

由於...嘅關係 jau4 jyu1...ge3 gwaan1 hai6 because of; due to

Example:

因為落雨，場比賽取消咗。

jan1 wai6 lok6 jyu5, coeng4 bei2 coi3 ceoi2 siu1 zo2.

Because of the rain, the match was cancelled.

12. Despite / in spite of

Cantonese Jyutping English

儘管 zeon6 gun2 despite; although

雖然 seoi1 jin4 although

即使 zik1 si2 even if

就算 zau6 syun3 even if

縱使 zung3 si2 even if — formal

儘管...都 zeon6 gun2...dou1 despite...still

即使...都 zik1 si2...dou1 even if...still

Example:

儘管落雨，我都會去。

zeon6 gun2 lok6 jyu5, ngo5 dou1 wui5 heoi3.

Despite the rain, I will still go.

13. Until / up to

Cantonese Jyutping English

到 dou3 until; up to

直到 zik6 dou3 until

直至 zik6 zi3 until — formal

到...為止 dou3...wai4 zi2 until...

直到...為止 zik6 dou3...wai4 zi2 until...

Example:

我等到夜晚十點。

ngo5 dang2 dou3 je6 maan5 sap6 dim2.

I waited until 10 p.m.

14. Before / after

These are often temporal nouns/adverbs functioning prepositionally, rather than simple prepositions.

Cantonese Jyutping English

之前 zi1 cin4 before

以前 ji5 cin4 before; previously

之前嘅 zi1 cin4 ge3 previous; before

之後 zi1 hau6 after

以後 ji5 hau6 after; afterwards

之後嘅 zi1 hau6 ge3 subsequent; after

Examples:

食飯之前要洗手。

sik6 faan6 zi1 cin4 jiu3 sai2 sau2.

You have to wash your hands before eating.

食飯之後去行街。

sik6 faan6 zi1 hau6 heoi3 haang4 gaai1.

After eating, go shopping.

15. During / while

Cantonese Jyutping English

喺...期間 hai2...kei4 gaan1 during

喺...嘅時候 hai2...ge3 si4 hau6 during; when

當...嘅時候 dong1...ge3 si4 hau6 when

當...嗰陣 dong1...go2 zan6 when; at the time

期間 kei4 gaan1 during the period

Example:

喺假期期間，我去咗旅行。

hai2 gaa3 kei4 kei4 gaan1, ngo5 heoi3 zo2 leoi5 hang4.

During the holiday, I travelled.

16. Around / approximately

Cantonese Jyutping English

大約 daai6 joek3 approximately

大概 daai6 koi3 approximately

左右 zo2 jau6 around; approximately

前後 cin4 hau6 approximately; around

差唔多 caa1 m4 do1 approximately; almost

Example:

大約三點左右到。

daai6 joek3 saam1 dim2 zo2 jau6 dou3.

I'll arrive around three o'clock.

17. Between / among

Cantonese Jyutping English

喺...之間 hai2...zi1 gaan1 between

喺...中間 hai2...zung1 gaan1 in the middle of

喺...之中 hai2...zi1 zung1 among; within

之間 zi1 gaan1 between

中間 zung1 gaan1 middle/between

Example:

我坐喺你同佢之間。

ngo5 co5 hai2 nei5 tung4 keoi5 zi1 gaan1.

I sat between you and him.

18. In front of / behind / beside

Cantonese Jyutping English

喺...前面 hai2...cin4 min6 in front of

喺...後面 hai2...hau6 min6 behind

喺...旁邊 hai2...pong4 bin1 beside

喺...隔籬 hai2...gaak3 lei4 beside; next to — colloquial

喺...附近 hai2...fu6 gan6 near

喺...隔離 hai2...gaak3 lei4 next to

Example:

架車停喺屋企前面。

gaa3 ce1 ting4 hai2 uk1 kei2 cin4 min6.

The car is parked in front of the house.

19. Above / below / inside / outside

Cantonese Jyutping English

喺...上面 hai2...soeng6 min6 above/on

喺...下面 hai2...haa6 min6 below/under

喺...入面 hai2...jap6 min6 inside

喺...外面 hai2...ngoi6 min6 outside

喺...裏面 hai2...leoi5 min6 inside — written/formal

喺...之外 hai2...zi1 ngoi6 outside/beyond

喺...以內 hai2...ji5 noi6 within

喺...以外 hai2...ji5 ngoi6 outside/beyond

Example:

貓喺張枱下面。

maau1 hai2 zoeng1 toi2 haa6 min6.

The cat is under the table.

20. Against / opposition

Cantonese Jyutping English

反對 faan2 deoi3 against

對抗 deoi3 kong3 against; oppose

針對 zam1 deoi3 against; directed at

對住 deoi3 zyu6 toward; facing

同...對抗 tung4...deoi3 kong3 oppose/fight against

Example:

佢反對呢個計劃。

keoi5 faan2 deoi3 ni1 go3 gai3 waak6.

He is against this plan.

21. Instead of / rather than

Cantonese Jyutping English

代替 doi6 tai3 instead of; replace

取代 ceoi2 doi6 replace; substitute for

代... doi6... instead of/on behalf of

不如 bat1 jyu4 rather than

與其...不如... jyu5 kei4...bat1 jyu4... rather than...it is better to...

Example:

我代替佢去。

ngo5 doi6 tai3 keoi5 heoi3.

I will go instead of him.

22. According to / in accordance with

Cantonese Jyutping English

根據 gan1 geoi3 according to; based on

按照 on3 ziu3 according to; in accordance with

依照 ji1 ziu3 according to

依據 ji1 geoi3 according to; based on

按 on3 according to; by

跟據 gan1 geoi3 according to — variant/colloquial spelling

Example:

根據法律，我哋唔可以咁做。

gan1 geoi3 faat3 leot6, ngo5 dei6 m4 ho2 ji5 gam2 zou6.

According to the law, we cannot do this.

23. Through / via

Cantonese Jyutping English

經 ging1 through; via

經過 ging1 gwo3 through

透過 tau3 gwo3 through; by means of

通過 tung1 gwo3 through; by means of

經由 ging1 jau4 via — formal

藉住 zik6 zyu6 through/by means of

Example:

我經過公園返屋企。

ngo5 ging1 gwo3 gung1 jyun4 faan1 uk1 kei2.

I went home through the park.

24. On behalf of

Cantonese Jyutping English

代 doi6 on behalf of; instead of

代表 doi6 biu2 on behalf of; represent

代替 doi6 tai3 instead of

為 wai6 for; on behalf of

代...向... doi6...hoeng3... on behalf of...to...

Example:

我代表公司多謝大家。

ngo5 doi6 biu2 gung1 si1 do1 ze6 daai6 gaa1.

On behalf of the company, I thank everyone.

25. Except / excluding

Cantonese Jyutping English

除咗 ceoi4 zo2 except; apart from

除 ceoi4 except — formal

除外 ceoi4 ngoi6 except; excluding

除咗...之外 ceoi4 zo2...zi1 ngoi6 apart from; besides

除非 ceoi4 fei1 unless

Example:

除咗佢之外，冇人知道。

ceoi4 zo2 keoi5 zi1 ngoi6, mou5 jan4 zi1 dou6.

Apart from him, nobody knows.

26. Without

Cantonese Jyutping English

冇 mou5 without; not have

冇咗 mou5 zo2 without; having lost

唔...就 m4...zau6 without...then...

未經 mei6 ging1 without having undergone/without authorization

未有 mei6 jau5 without having

Example:

冇你，我唔知點算。

mou5 nei5, ngo5 m4 zi1 dim2 syun3.

Without you, I don't know what to do.

27. Like / as / similar to

Cantonese Jyutping English

好似 hou2 ci5 like; as if

如同 jyu4 tung4 like; as — formal

猶如 jau4 jyu4 just like — literary

同...一樣 tung4...jat1 joeng6 same as

好似...咁 hou2 ci5...gam3 like...

好似...一樣 hou2 ci5...jat1 joeng6 just like...

Example:

佢好似你咁高。

keoi5 hou2 ci5 nei5 gam3 gou1.

He is as tall as you.

28. Comparison: than

These are not strictly prepositions, but they perform a preposition-like comparative function.

Cantonese Jyutping English

比 bei2 than; compared with

過 gwo3 than

同 tung4 compared with

同...比較 tung4...bei2 gaau3 compare with

比起 bei2 hei2 compared with

Example:

佢高過我。

keoi5 gou1 gwo3 ngo5.

He is taller than me.

佢比我高。

keoi5 bei2 ngo5 gou1.

He is taller than me.

29. Concerning relationship / connection

Cantonese Jyutping English

關於 gwaan1 jyu1 concerning

關於...嘅 gwaan1 jyu1...ge3 concerning

同...有關 tung4...jau5 gwaan1 related to

關乎 gwaan1 fu1 concern; be related to — formal

關於...方面 gwaan1 jyu1...fong1 min6 regarding...aspect

30. Toward a person / attitude toward

Cantonese Jyutping English

對 deoi3 toward

對住 deoi3 zyu6 toward/facing

向 hoeng3 toward

對於 deoi3 jyu1 toward/regarding

朝住 ziu1 zyu6 toward

Example:

佢對我好好。

keoi5 deoi3 ngo5 hou2 hou2.

He treats me very well.

31. Possession / association

Cantonese generally uses 嘅 ge3 rather than a preposition.

Cantonese Jyutping English

嘅 ge3 of; 's

屬於 suk6 jyu1 belong to

關於 gwaan1 jyu1 about/concerning

同...有關 tung4...jau5 gwaan1 be related to

Example:

呢本書係我嘅。

ni1 bun2 syu1 hai6 ngo5 ge3.

This book is mine.

So:

English: the teacher's book

Cantonese: 老師嘅書

Jyutping: lou5 si1 ge3 syu1

32. Multiword prepositional expressions

These are especially useful for formal Cantonese / written Chinese.

Cantonese Jyutping English

關於 gwaan1 jyu1 concerning

對於 deoi3 jyu1 regarding

至於 zi3 jyu1 as for

由於 jau4 jyu1 due to

根據 gan1 geoi3 according to

按照 on3 ziu3 according to

依照 ji1 ziu3 according to

透過 tau3 gwo3 through

經過 ging1 gwo3 through

經由 ging1 jau4 via

除咗...之外 ceoi4 zo2...zi1 ngoi6 apart from

除...之外 ceoi4...zi1 ngoi6 apart from

以...為 ji5...wai4 take/regard...as

以...作為 ji5...zok3 wai4 use...as

為咗 wai6 zo2 for the sake of

喺...期間 hai2...kei4 gaan1 during

喺...之前 hai2...zi1 cin4 before

喺...之後 hai2...zi1 hau6 after

喺...以內 hai2...ji5 noi6 within

喺...以外 hai2...ji5 ngoi6 outside

喺...之中 hai2...zi1 zung1 among/within

由...到... jau4...dou3... from...to...

從...到... cung4...dou3... from...to...

由...開始 jau4...hoi1 ci2 starting from

以...為例 ji5...wai4 lai6 taking...as an example

12- DETERMINERS

1. Demonstrative determiners

Cantonese Jyutping English Full example

呢 ni1 this 呢本書好有趣。

ni1 bun2 syu1 hou2 jau5 ceoi3. — This book is interesting.

呢個 ni1 go3 this; this one 呢個人係我朋友。

ni1 go3 jan4 hai6 ngo5 pang4 jau5. — This person is my friend.

呢啲 ni1 di1 these; these things 呢啲書係我嘅。

ni1 di1 syu1 hai6 ngo5 ge3. — These books are mine.

嗰 go2 that 嗰本書係我嘅。

go2 bun2 syu1 hai6 ngo5 ge3. — That book is mine.

嗰個 go2 go3 that; that one 嗰個人識我。

go2 go3 jan4 sik1 ngo5. — That person knows me.

嗰啲 go2 di1 those 嗰啲學生好勤力。

go2 di1 hok6 saang1 hou2 kan4 lik6. — Those students work hard.

這 ze3 this — formal/written 這個問題很重要。

ze3 go3 man6 tai4 han2 zung6 jiu3. — This question is important.

那 naa5 that — formal/written 那個人是誰？

naa5 go3 jan4 hai6 seoi4? — Who is that person?

Distance

Form Meaning

呢 + classifier/noun this/these

嗰 + classifier/noun that/those

這 this — formal

那 that — formal

For normal spoken Cantonese, 呢 ni1 and 嗰 go2 are much more important than 這 ze3 and 那 naa5.

2. Possessive determiners

Cantonese normally forms possessives with:

Possessor + 嘅 + noun

嘅 ge3 = possessive/associative particle

Cantonese Jyutping English

我嘅 ngo5 ge3 my

你嘅 nei5 ge3 your

佢嘅 keoi5 ge3 his/her/its

我哋嘅 ngo5 dei6 ge3 our

你哋嘅 nei5 dei6 ge3 your plural

佢哋嘅 keoi5 dei6 ge3 their

Examples:

我嘅書

ngo5 ge3 syu1

my book

你嘅車

nei5 ge3 ce1

your car

佢哋嘅屋企

keoi5 dei6 ge3 uk1 kei2

their home

Possessive without 嘅

With many personal pronouns, especially in everyday speech, 嘅 can be omitted when the relationship is obvious:

Cantonese Jyutping English

我書 ngo5 syu1 my book — limited/contextual

你屋企 nei5 uk1 kei2 your home

佢屋企 keoi5 uk1 kei2 his/her home

我媽咪 ngo5 maa1 mi1 my mom

你朋友 nei5 pang4 jau5 your friend

3. Interrogative determiners

These specify which noun is being asked about.

Cantonese Jyutping English Example

邊 bin1 which 邊本書？

bin1 bun2 syu1? — Which book?

邊個 bin1 go3 which one/person 邊個人？

bin1 go3 jan4? — Which person?

邊啲 bin1 di1 which ones 邊啲書？

bin1 di1 syu1? — Which books?

邊一個 bin1 jat1 go3 which one 邊一個係你朋友？

bin1 jat1 go3 hai6 nei5 pang4 jau5? — Which one is your friend?

邊一啲 bin1 jat1 di1 which ones 邊一啲書係你嘅？

bin1 jat1 di1 syu1 hai6 nei5 ge3? — Which books are yours?

乜 mat1 what 乜書？

mat1 syu1? — What book?

乜嘢 mat1 je5 what kind of/what 乜嘢書？

mat1 je5 syu1? — What kind of book?

邊種 bin1 zung2 which kind 邊種書？

bin1 zung2 syu1? — Which kind of book?

幾多 gei2 do1 how many/much 幾多本書？

gei2 do1 bun2 syu1? — How many books?

幾多個 gei2 do1 go3 how many 幾多個學生？

gei2 do1 go3 hok6 saang1? — How many students?

4. Indefinite determiners

Cantonese does not have an exact equivalent of English a/an.

The most common way to express an indefinite singular noun is:

一 + classifier + noun

Cantonese Jyutping English

一個 jat1 go3 a/one

一本 jat1 bun2 a/one book

一個人 jat1 go3 jan4 a person

一個學生 jat1 go3 hok6 saang1 a student

一件 jat1 gin6 a piece/item

一張 jat1 zoeng1 a sheet/piece

一隻 jat1 zek3 an animal/one

一部 jat1 bou6 a machine/device/movie

一架 jat1 gaa3 a vehicle/machine

一間 jat1 gaan1 a room/shop/house

一杯 jat1 bui1 a cup/glass

一本書 jat1 bun2 syu1 a book

Example:

我買咗一本書。

ngo5 maai5 zo2 jat1 bun2 syu1.

I bought a book.

Here 一 jat1 is literally “one,” but the whole 一 + classifier + noun construction can have an indefinite meaning.

5. Indefinite “some”

Cantonese Jyutping English

一啲 jat1 di1 some

一啲人 jat1 di1 jan4 some people

一啲書 jat1 di1 syu1 some books

一啲嘢 jat1 di1 je5 some things

有啲 jau5 di1 some

有啲人 jau5 di1 jan4 some people

有啲書 jau5 di1 syu1 some books

某 mau5 a certain/some particular

某個 mau5 go3 a certain

某啲 mau5 di1 certain/some

Examples:

我買咗一啲書。

ngo5 maai5 zo2 jat1 di1 syu1.

I bought some books.

有啲人唔鍾意咖啡。

jau5 di1 jan4 m4 zung1 ji3 gaa3 fe1.

Some people don't like coffee.

6. “Any” determiners

Cantonese has several ways to express any, depending on context.

Cantonese Jyutping English

任何 jam4 ho4 any; any kind of

任何一個 jam4 ho4 jat1 go3 any one

任何人 jam4 ho4 jan4 anyone

任何嘢 jam4 ho4 je5 anything

邊個都 bin1 go3 dou1 anyone/whichever person

邊啲都 bin1 di1 dou1 any/all of which

乜嘢都 mat1 je5 dou1 anything

邊...都 bin1...dou1 whichever/any

乜...都 mat1...dou1 whatever/any

Examples:

任何人都可以參加。

jam4 ho4 jan4 dou1 ho2 ji5 caam1 gaa1.

Anyone can participate.

邊本書都可以。

bin1 bun2 syu1 dou1 ho2 ji5.

Any book is fine.

7. Negative / “no” determiner constructions

Cantonese generally does not have a single equivalent of English no.

It commonly uses:

Interrogative + 都 + negative

or

Interrogative + 都 + 冇/唔

Cantonese Jyutping English

冇一個 mou5 jat1 go3 not a single one

冇一個人 mou5 jat1 go3 jan4 nobody

冇任何 mou5 jam4 ho4 no/none

邊個都唔 bin1 go3 dou1 m4 nobody/none

乜嘢都冇 mat1 je5 dou1 mou5 nothing

一啲都冇 jat1 di1 dou1 mou5 not any

一個都冇 jat1 go3 dou1 mou5 not even one

Example:

一個人都冇。

jat1 go3 jan4 dou1 mou5.

There isn't a single person.

我乜嘢都冇買。

ngo5 mat1 je5 dou1 mou5 maai5.

I didn't buy anything.

8. Universal determiners — all/every

Cantonese Jyutping English

每 mui5 every/each

每個 mui5 go3 every/each

每一個 mui5 jat1 go3 every single

每本 mui5 bun2 every book

每個人 mui5 go3 jan4 everyone/every person

每次 mui5 ci3 every time

每日 mui5 jat6 every day

每星期 mui5 sing1 kei4 every week

每個月 mui5 go3 jyut6 every month

每年 mui5 nin4 every year

所有 so2 jau5 all

所有人 so2 jau5 jan4 everyone

所有嘢 so2 jau5 je5 everything

全部 cyun4 bou6 all

全部人 cyun4 bou6 jan4 everyone/all people

全部嘢 cyun4 bou6 je5 everything

Examples:

每個學生都有一本書。

mui5 go3 hok6 saang1 dou1 jau5 jat1 bun2 syu1.

Every student has a book.

所有人都嚟咗。

so2 jau5 jan4 dou1 lai4 zo2.

Everyone came.

9. Each / distributive determiners

Cantonese Jyutping English

每 mui5 each/every

每一個 mui5 jat1 go3 each/every single

一個個 jat1 go3 go3 each one, one by one

一件件 jat1 gin6 gin6 each item

各 gok3 each/respective — formal

各個 gok3 go3 each/respective

各人 gok3 jan4 each person

各自 gok3 zi6 each/their respective

各有 gok3 jau5 each has

Example:

每個人都有自己嘅意見。

mui5 go3 jan4 dou1 jau5 zi6 gei2 ge3 ji3 gin3.

Each person has their own opinion.

10. Both

Cantonese normally expresses both using 兩個 + classifier + 都 or 兩...都.

Cantonese Jyutping English

兩個都 loeng5 go3 dou1 both

兩個人都 loeng5 go3 jan4 dou1 both people

兩本都 loeng5 bun2 dou1 both books

兩隻都 loeng5 zek3 dou1 both animals

兩邊都 loeng5 bin1 dou1 both sides

兩者都 loeng5 ze2 dou1 both — formal

Example:

兩個學生都係我朋友。

loeng5 go3 hok6 saang1 dou1 hai6 ngo5 pang4 jau5.

Both students are my friends.

11. Many / much

Cantonese Jyutping English

好多 hou2 do1 many/much

好多個 hou2 do1 go3 many

好多人 hou2 do1 jan4 many people

好多本 hou2 do1 bun2 many books

大量 daai6 loeng6 a large amount/large quantities

大量嘅 daai6 loeng6 ge3 a large amount of

大部分 daai6 bou6 fan6 most/a large part

大多數 daai6 do1 sou3 the majority/most

無數 mou4 sou3 countless

好幾個 hou2 gei2 go3 several

Examples:

好多人鍾意呢間餐廳。

hou2 do1 jan4 zung1 ji3 ni1 gaan1 caan1 teng1.

Many people like this restaurant.

我有好多本書。

ngo5 jau5 hou2 do1 bun2 syu1.

I have many books.

12. Few / little

Cantonese Jyutping English

少少 siu2 siu2 a little/few

少量 siu2 loeng6 a small amount

少數 siu2 sou3 a small number/minority

幾個 gei2 go3 a few/several

幾本 gei2 bun2 a few books

幾個人 gei2 go3 jan4 a few people

一啲 jat1 di1 a little/some

少部分 siu2 bou6 fan6 a small portion

Example:

我仲有幾本書。

ngo5 zung6 jau5 gei2 bun2 syu1.

I still have a few books.

13. Most / majority

Cantonese Jyutping English

大部分 daai6 bou6 fan6 most

大多數 daai6 do1 sou3 most; majority

多數 do1 sou3 most; usually

絕大部分 zyut6 daai6 bou6 fan6 the vast majority

絕大多數 zyut6 daai6 do1 sou3 the overwhelming majority

Example:

大部分學生都通過咗考試。

daai6 bou6 fan6 hok6 saang1 dou1 tung1 gwo3 zo2 haau2 si3.

Most students passed the exam.

14. No more than / at most

Cantonese Jyutping English

最多 zeoi3 do1 at most

最多幾個 zeoi3 do1 gei2 go3 at most a few

至多 zi3 do1 at most — formal

唔多過 m4 do1 gwo3 no more than

唔超過 m4 ciu1 gwo3 not more than

Example:

最多三個人可以入去。

zeoi3 do1 saam1 go3 jan4 ho2 ji5 jap6 heoi3.

At most three people can enter.

15. At least / minimum

Cantonese Jyutping English

最少 zeoi3 siu2 at least / minimum

最少一個 zeoi3 siu2 jat1 go3 at least one

至少 zi3 siu2 at least — formal

起碼 hei2 maa5 at least

最低限度 zeoi3 dai1 haan6 dou6 at minimum

Example:

最少要三個人。

zeoi3 siu2 jiu3 saam1 go3 jan4.

At least three people are needed.

16. Numeral determiners

Cantonese requires classifiers with many numeral + noun combinations.

Basic structure

Number + classifier + noun

Cantonese Jyutping English

一個人 jat1 go3 jan4 one person

兩個人 loeng5 go3 jan4 two people

三個人 saam1 go3 jan4 three people

一本書 jat1 bun2 syu1 one book

兩本書 loeng5 bun2 syu1 two books

三本書 saam1 bun2 syu1 three books

一隻狗 jat1 zek3 gau2 one dog

兩隻狗 loeng5 zek3 gau2 two dogs

一架車 jat1 gaa3 ce1 one car

一間屋 jat1 gaan1 uk1 one house

一張紙 jat1 zoeng1 zi2 one sheet of paper

17. Common classifiers used in determiner constructions

Classifier Jyutping Used for

個 go3 general/person

位 wai2 people — polite

名 meng4 people — formal

本 bun2 books

張 zoeng1 flat objects

件 gin6 clothes, objects, matters

隻 zek3 animals; one of a pair

條 tiu4 long/thin objects; fish; roads

部 bou6 machines, phones, films

架 gaa3 vehicles/machines

間 gaan1 rooms, shops, businesses

所 so2 institutions/schools

幅 fuk1 paintings/pictures

首 sau2 songs/poems

杯 bui1 cups/glasses

碗 wun2 bowls

樽 zeon1 bottles

盒 hap6 boxes

份 fan6 portions/documents/gifts

場 coeng4 events/matches

次 ci3 occasions

陣 zan6 periods/spells

間 gaan1 rooms/stores

粒 nap1 small round objects

塊 faai3 pieces/chunks

片 pin3 slices/sheets

層 cang4 floors/layers

排 paai4 rows

階 gaai1 floors

台 toi4 machines/equipment

部 bou6 machines/films

艘 sau1 ships

艘 sau1 boats/ships

盞 zaan2 lamps

枝 zi1 long thin objects

支 zi1 pens, cigarettes, long objects

把 baa2 things with handles

面 min6 mirrors/flags

封 fung1 letters

張 zoeng1 tables, beds, paper, tickets

枚 mui4 medals, coins — formal

項 hong6 items/projects — formal

宗 zung1 matters/cases

宗 zung1 cases/deals

款 fun2 types/models/styles

18. “A certain / a particular”

Cantonese Jyutping English

某 mau5 a certain

某個 mau5 go3 a certain

某人 mau5 jan4 a certain person

某啲 mau5 di1 certain

某種 mau5 zung2 a certain kind

某一個 mau5 jat1 go3 a certain one

某一日 mau5 jat1 jat6 a certain day

Example:

某個人話見過你。

mau5 go3 jan4 waa6 gin3 gwo3 nei5.

A certain person said they had seen you.

19. Another / other

Cantonese Jyutping English

其他 kei4 taa1 other

其他人 kei4 taa1 jan4 other people

其他嘢 kei4 taa1 je5 other things

另外一個 ling6 ngoi6 jat1 go3 another

另一個 ling6 jat1 go3 another

另一啲 ling6 jat1 di1 other/another

另一個人 ling6 jat1 go3 jan4 another person

再一個 zoi3 jat1 go3 another one

第二個 dai6 ji6 go3 the second/another

其他嘅 kei4 taa1 ge3 other

Examples:

我想要另一個。

ngo5 soeng2 jiu3 ling6 jat1 go3.

I want another one.

其他人已經走咗。

kei4 taa1 jan4 ji5 ging1 zau2 zo2.

The other people have already left.

20. Same

Cantonese Jyutping English

同一個 tung4 jat1 go3 the same

同一本 tung4 jat1 bun2 the same book

同一個人 tung4 jat1 go3 jan4 the same person

同樣嘅 tung4 joeng6 ge3 same

一樣嘅 jat1 joeng6 ge3 same

同一 tung4 jat1 same — formal/written

Example:

我哋睇緊同一本書。

ngo5 dei6 tai2 gan2 tung4 jat1 bun2 syu1.

We are reading the same book.

21. Whole / entire

Cantonese Jyutping English

成個 seng4 go3 the whole

成本 seng4 bun2 the whole book

成間 seng4 gaan1 the whole room/shop

成日 seng4 jat6 the whole day/all day

成晚 seng4 maan5 the whole night

全部 cyun4 bou6 all

全個 cyun4 go3 the entire

全部嘅 cyun4 bou6 ge3 all of

整個 zing2 go3 the entire/whole — formal

整本 zing2 bun2 the entire book

Example:

我睇完整本書。

ngo5 tai2 jyun4 zing2 bun2 syu1.

I read the entire book.

22. Part / portion / some

Cantonese Jyutping English

部分 bou6 fan6 part/portion

一部分 jat1 bou6 fan6 a part

一部分人 jat1 bou6 fan6 jan4 some people

部分人 bou6 fan6 jan4 some people

一啲 jat1 di1 some/a little

少部分 siu2 bou6 fan6 a small portion

大部分 daai6 bou6 fan6 most/a large portion

23. Approximate quantity

Cantonese Jyutping English

幾個 gei2 go3 several/a few

幾本 gei2 bun2 several books

幾十個 gei2 sap6 go3 several dozen

幾百個 gei2 baak3 go3 several hundred

大約十個 daai6 joek3 sap6 go3 about ten

大概十個 daai6 koi3 sap6 go3 about ten

十個左右 sap6 go3 zo2 jau6 around ten

十個上下 sap6 go3 soeng6 haa6 around ten

24. “Per / every”

These are usually distributive constructions, not simple determiners.

Cantonese Jyutping English

每個 mui5 go3 every

每日 mui5 jat6 every day

每次 mui5 ci3 every time

每人 mui5 jan4 per person/every person

每位 mui5 wai2 each person

每本 mui5 bun2 each book

每年 mui5 nin4 every year

一人 jat1 jan4 one per person

一人一個 jat1 jan4 jat1 go3 one each

每人一個 mui5 jan4 jat1 go3 one each

Example:

每人一杯水。

mui5 jan4 jat1 bui1 seoi2.

One cup of water per person.

25. “Only” / restrictive noun modifiers

These are technically particles, not determiners, but they are important because they restrict noun phrases.

Cantonese Jyutping English

只係 zi2 hai6 only

淨係 zing6 hai6 only

只 zi2 only — formal

僅 gan2 only — formal

僅僅 gan2 gan2 merely/only

唯一 wai4 jat1 only/sole

唯一一個 wai4 jat1 jat1 go3 the only one

得一個 dak1 jat1 go3 only one

只有一個 zi2 jau5 jat1 go3 there is only one

Example:

只有一個學生。

zi2 jau5 jat1 go3 hok6 saang1.

There is only one student.

26. Formal/literary determiner-like words

These occur more in written Chinese/formal Cantonese than everyday speech.

Cantonese Jyutping English

此 ci2 this

彼 bei2 that

該 goi1 that/the said

其 kei4 his/her/its/their

各 gok3 each/respective

每 mui5 every

所有 so2 jau5 all

任何 jam4 ho4 any

某 mau5 certain

若干 joek6 gon1 several/a number of

各種 gok3 zung2 various kinds

各類 gok3 leoi6 various categories

有關 jau5 gwaan1 relevant/related

有關嘅 jau5 gwaan1 ge3 relevant/related

整個 zing2 go3 entire

整體 zing2 tai2 whole/entire

Example:

該公司已經公布結果。

goi1 gung1 si1 ji5 ging1 gung1 bou3 git3 gwo2.

The said company has already announced the result.

27. Cantonese “the”

There is no obligatory word for English “the.”

Definiteness can be understood from context:

我睇咗本書。

ngo5 tai2 zo2 bun2 syu1.

I read a book.

本書好好睇。

bun2 syu1 hou2 hou2 tai2.

The book is very interesting.

Once the book is established in the conversation, 本書 can be understood as “the book.”

A demonstrative can make it explicit:

嗰本書

go2 bun2 syu1

that book / the book

28. Cantonese “a/an”

There is also no dedicated indefinite article.

Instead:

一 + classifier + noun

一本書

jat1 bun2 syu1

a book / one book

一個人

jat1 go3 jan4

a person / one person

一隻狗

jat1 zek3 gau2

a dog / one dog

The context determines whether 一 means specifically “one” or more generally “a.”

The key system to remember

Cantonese noun phrases are commonly built like this:

Demonstrative + Classifier + Noun

嗰 + 本 + 書

go2 + bun2 + syu1

that book

Number + Classifier + Noun

三 + 本 + 書

saam1 + bun2 + syu1

three books

Quantifier + Classifier/Noun

好多 + 本 + 書

hou2 do1 + bun2 + syu1

many books

Possessor + 嘅 + Noun

我 + 嘅 + 書

ngo5 + ge3 + syu1

my book

Interrogative + Classifier + Noun

邊 + 本 + 書

bin1 + bun2 + syu1

which book

Universal + Classifier + Noun

每 + 本 + 書

mui5 + bun2 + syu1

every book

13- IF CONDITIONAL

(If):

Present Simple 如果 + V，就 + V jyu4 gwo2 + V, zau6 + V 如果你讀書，就學到嘢。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 duk6 syu1, zau6 hok6 dou2 je5. If you study, you learn things.

Present Continuous 如果 + V緊，就... jyu4 gwo2 + V gan2, zau6... 如果你食緊飯，就唔好講嘢。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 sik6 gan2 faan6, zau6 m4 hou2 gong2 je5. If you are eating, don't talk.

Present Perfect 如果 + V咗，就... jyu4 gwo2 + V zo2, zau6... 如果你做咗功課，就可以玩。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 zou6 zo2 gung1 fo3, zau6 ho2 ji5 waan2. If you have finished your homework, you can play.

Present Perfect Continuous 如果 + 一直 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + jat1 zik6 + V, zau6... 如果你一直等，就會見到佢。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 jat1 zik6 dang2, zau6 wui5 gin3 dou2 keoi5. If you have been waiting, you will see him/her.

Past Simple 如果 + 過去時間 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + past time + V, zau6... 如果你琴日去，就見到佢。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 kam4 jat6 heoi3, zau6 gin3 dou2 keoi5. If you went yesterday, you saw him/her.

Past Continuous 如果 + V緊，就... jyu4 gwo2 + V gan2, zau6... 如果你瞓緊覺，我就唔嘈你。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 fan3 gan2 gaau3, ngo5 zau6 m4 cou4 nei5. If you were sleeping, I didn't disturb you. (context-dependent)

Past Perfect 如果 + V咗，就會... jyu4 gwo2 + V zo2, zau6 wui5... 如果你早啲出門，就會趕得切。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 zou2 di1 ceot1 mun4, zau6 wui5 gon2 dak1 cit3. If you had left earlier, you would have arrived on time.

Past Perfect Continuous 如果 + 一直 + V，就會... jyu4 gwo2 + jat1 zik6 + V, zau6 wui5... 如果你一直努力，就會成功。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 jat1 zik6 nou5 lik6, zau6 wui5 sing4 gung1. If you had kept working hard, you would have succeeded.

Future Simple 如果 + V，就會 + V jyu4 gwo2 + V, zau6 wui5 + V 如果你努力，就會成功。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 nou5 lik6, zau6 wui5 sing4 gung1. If you work hard, you will succeed.

Future Continuous 如果 + 會 + V緊 jyu4 gwo2 + wui5 + V gan2 如果你八點打畀我，我會食緊飯。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 baat3 dim2 daa2 bei2 ngo5, ngo5 wui5 sik6 gan2 faan6. If you call me at eight, I will be eating.

Future Perfect 如果 + V完，就... jyu4 gwo2 + V jyun4, zau6... 如果你做完功課，就可以出去。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 zou6 jyun4 gung1 fo3, zau6 ho2 ji5 ceot1 heoi3. If you have finished your homework, you can go out.

Future Perfect Continuous 如果 + 一直 + V落去 jyu4 gwo2 + jat1 zik6 + V lok6 heoi3 如果你一直努力落去，就會成功。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 jat1 zik6 nou5 lik6 lok6 heoi3, zau6 wui5 sing4 gung1. If you keep working hard, you will succeed.

Negative Present Simple 如果 + 唔 + V，就唔會... jyu4 gwo2 + m4 + V, zau6 m4 wui5... 如果你唔讀書，就唔會合格。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 m4 duk6 syu1, zau6 m4 wui5 hap6 gaak3. If you don't study, you won't pass.

Negative Present Continuous 如果 + 唔 + V緊，就... jyu4 gwo2 + m4 + V gan2, zau6... 如果你唔食緊飯，就可以出去。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 m4 sik6 gan2 faan6, zau6 ho2 ji5 ceot1 heoi3. If you aren't eating, you can go out.

Negative Present Perfect 如果 + 未 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + mei6 + V, zau6... 如果你未做功課，就唔好玩。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 mei6 zou6 gung1 fo3, zau6 m4 hou2 waan2. If you haven't done your homework yet, don't play.

Negative Present Perfect Continuous 如果 + 冇一直 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + mou5 jat1 zik6 + V, zau6... 如果你冇一直練習，就唔會進步。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 mou5 jat1 zik6 lin6 zaap6, zau6 m4 wui5 zeon3 bou6. If you haven't been practicing continuously, you won't improve.

Negative Past Simple 如果 + 冇 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + mou5 + V, zau6... 如果你冇去，就見唔到佢。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 mou5 heoi3, zau6 gin3 m4 dou2 keoi5. If you didn't go, you didn't see him/her.

Negative Past Continuous 如果 + 冇 + V緊，就... jyu4 gwo2 + mou5 + V gan2, zau6... 如果你冇瞓緊覺，我就叫你。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 mou5 fan3 gan2 gaau3, ngo5 zau6 giu3 nei5. If you weren't sleeping, I called you. (context-dependent)

Negative Past Perfect 如果 + 冇 + V咗，就... jyu4 gwo2 + mou5 + V zo2, zau6... 如果你冇做咗準備，就唔會成功。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 mou5 zou6 zo2 zeon2 bei6, zau6 m4 wui5 sing4 gung1. If you hadn't prepared, you wouldn't have succeeded.

Negative Past Perfect Continuous 如果 + 冇一直 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + mou5 jat1 zik6 + V, zau6... 如果你冇一直努力，就唔會成功。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 mou5 jat1 zik6 nou5 lik6, zau6 m4 wui5 sing4 gung1. If you hadn't kept working hard, you wouldn't have succeeded.

Negative Future Simple 如果 + 唔 + V，就唔會... jyu4 gwo2 + m4 + V, zau6 m4 wui5... 如果你唔努力，就唔會成功。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 m4 nou5 lik6, zau6 m4 wui5 sing4 gung1. If you don't work hard, you won't succeed.

Negative Future Continuous 如果 + 唔會 + V緊，就... jyu4 gwo2 + m4 wui5 + V gan2, zau6... 如果你八點打畀我，我唔會食緊飯。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 baat3 dim2 daa2 bei2 ngo5, ngo5 m4 wui5 sik6 gan2 faan6. If you call me at eight, I won't be eating.

Negative Future Perfect 如果 + 未 + V完，就... jyu4 gwo2 + mei6 + V jyun4, zau6... 如果你未做完功課，就唔可以出去。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 mei6 zou6 jyun4 gung1 fo3, zau6 m4 ho2 ji5 ceot1 heoi3. If you haven't finished your homework, you can't go out.

Negative Future Perfect Continuous 如果 + 唔再 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + m4 zoi3 + V, zau6... 如果你唔再努力，就唔會進步。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 m4 zoi3 nou5 lik6, zau6 m4 wui5 zeon3 bou6. If you don't continue working hard, you won't improve.

Present Simple Passive 如果 + Subject + 畀 + 人 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + bei2 + jan4 + V, zau6... 如果我畀人鬧，就會唔開心。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 bei2 jan4 naau6, zau6 wui5 m4 hoi1 sam1. If I am scolded, I will be unhappy.

Present Continuous Passive 如果 + Subject + 畀 + 人 + V緊，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + bei2 + jan4 + V gan2, zau6... 如果我畀人幫緊，就容易完成。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 bei2 jan4 bong1 gan2, zau6 jung4 ji6 jyun4 sing4. If I am being helped, it is easier to finish.

Present Perfect Passive 如果 + Subject + 畀 + 人 + V咗，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + bei2 + jan4 + V zo2, zau6... 如果我畀人讚咗，就好開心。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 bei2 jan4 zaan3 zo2, zau6 hou2 hoi1 sam1. If I have been praised, I am happy.

Present Perfect Continuous Passive 如果 + Subject + 一直畀 + 人 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + jat1 zik6 bei2 jan4 + V, zau6... 如果我一直畀人照顧，就好幸福。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 jat1 zik6 bei2 jan4 ziu3 gu3, zau6 hou2 hang6 fuk1. If I have been continually cared for, I am very fortunate.

Past Simple Passive 如果 + Subject + 畀 + 人 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + bei2 + jan4 + V, zau6... 如果我畀人呃，就學到教訓。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 bei2 jan4 aa1, zau6 hok6 dou2 gaau3 fan3. If I was cheated, I learned a lesson.

Past Continuous Passive 如果 + Subject + 畀 + 人 + V緊，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + bei2 + jan4 + V gan2, zau6... 如果我畀人問緊，我就冇接電話。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 bei2 jan4 man6 gan2, ngo5 zau6 mou5 zip3 din6 waa6. If I was being questioned, I didn't answer the phone.

Past Perfect Passive 如果 + Subject + 畀 + 人 + V咗，就會... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + bei2 + jan4 + V zo2, zau6 wui5... 如果我畀人通知咗，就會早啲到。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 bei2 jan4 tung1 zi1 zo2, zau6 wui5 zou2 di1 dou3. If I had been informed, I would have arrived earlier.

Past Perfect Continuous Passive 如果 + Subject + 一直畀 + 人 + V，就會... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + jat1 zik6 bei2 jan4 + V, zau6 wui5... 如果我一直畀人支持，就會成功。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 jat1 zik6 bei2 jan4 zi1 ci4, zau6 wui5 sing4 gung1. If I had been continuously supported, I would have succeeded.

Future Simple Passive 如果 + Subject + 會畀 + 人 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + wui5 bei2 jan4 + V, zau6... 如果我會畀人邀請，就一定去。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 wui5 bei2 jan4 jiu1 cing2, zau6 jat1 ding6 heoi3. If I am invited, I will definitely go.

Future Continuous Passive 如果 + Subject + 會畀 + 人 + V緊，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + wui5 bei2 jan4 + V gan2, zau6... 如果我會畀人檢查緊，就要等。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 wui5 bei2 jan4 gim2 caa4 gan2, zau6 jiu3 dang2. If I will be being examined, I have to wait. (very uncommon in Cantonese)

Future Perfect Passive 如果 + Subject + 畀 + 人 + V完，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + bei2 jan4 + V jyun4, zau6... 如果我畀人檢查完，就可以走。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 bei2 jan4 gim2 caa4 jyun4, zau6 ho2 ji5 zau2. If I have been examined, I can leave.

Future Perfect Continuous Passive 如果 + Subject + 一直畀 + 人 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + jat1 zik6 bei2 jan4 + V, zau6... 如果我一直畀人照顧，就會康復。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 jat1 zik6 bei2 jan4 ziu3 gu3, zau6 wui5 hong1 fuk6. If I continue to be cared for, I will recover.

Present Simple Passive Negative 如果 + Subject + 唔畀 + 人 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + m4 bei2 jan4 + V, zau6... 如果我唔畀人鬧，就會開心。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 m4 bei2 jan4 naau6, zau6 wui5 hoi1 sam1. If I am not scolded, I will be happy.

Present Continuous Passive Negative 如果 + Subject + 冇畀 + 人 + V緊，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + mou5 bei2 jan4 + V gan2, zau6... 如果我冇畀人幫緊，就要自己做。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 mou5 bei2 jan4 bong1 gan2, zau6 jiu3 zi6 gei2 zou6. If I am not being helped, I have to do it myself.

Present Perfect Passive Negative 如果 + Subject + 未畀 + 人 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + mei6 bei2 jan4 + V, zau6... 如果我未畀人通知，就會繼續等。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 mei6 bei2 jan4 tung1 zi1, zau6 wui5 gai3 zuk6 dang2. If I haven't been informed yet, I will keep waiting.

Present Perfect Continuous Passive Negative 如果 + Subject + 冇一直畀 + 人 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + mou5 jat1 zik6 bei2 jan4 + V, zau6... 如果我冇一直畀人照顧，就會辛苦。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 mou5 jat1 zik6 bei2 jan4 ziu3 gu3, zau6 wui5 san1 fu2. If I haven't been continually cared for, I will suffer.

Past Simple Passive Negative 如果 + Subject + 冇畀 + 人 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + mou5 bei2 jan4 + V, zau6... 如果我冇畀人呃，就唔會損失錢。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 mou5 bei2 jan4 aa1, zau6 m4 wui5 syun2 sat1 cin2. If I wasn't cheated, I wouldn't have lost money.

Past Continuous Passive Negative 如果 + Subject + 冇畀 + 人 + V緊，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + mou5 bei2 jan4 + V gan2, zau6... 如果我冇畀人問緊，就可以離開。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 mou5 bei2 jan4 man6 gan2, zau6 ho2 ji5 lei4 hoi1. If I wasn't being questioned, I could leave.

Past Perfect Passive Negative 如果 + Subject + 冇畀 + 人 + V咗，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + mou5 bei2 jan4 + V zo2, zau6... 如果我冇畀人通知咗，就唔會知道。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 mou5 bei2 jan4 tung1 zi1 zo2, zau6 m4 wui5 zi1 dou6. If I hadn't been informed, I wouldn't have known.

Past Perfect Continuous Passive Negative 如果 + Subject + 冇一直畀 + 人 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + mou5 jat1 zik6 bei2 jan4 + V, zau6... 如果我冇一直畀人支持，就唔會成功。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 mou5 jat1 zik6 bei2 jan4 zi1 ci4, zau6 m4 wui5 sing4 gung1. If I hadn't been continuously supported, I wouldn't have succeeded.

Future Simple Passive Negative 如果 + Subject + 唔會畀 + 人 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + m4 wui5 bei2 jan4 + V, zau6... 如果我唔會畀人批評，就會放心。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 m4 wui5 bei2 jan4 pai1 ping4, zau6 wui5 fong3 sam1. If I won't be criticized, I will feel relieved.

Future Continuous Passive Negative 如果 + Subject + 唔會畀 + 人 + V緊，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + m4 wui5 bei2 jan4 + V gan2, zau6... 如果我聽日唔會畀人檢查緊，就可以去旅行。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 ting1 jat6 m4 wui5 bei2 jan4 gim2 caa4 gan2, zau6 ho2 ji5 heoi3 leoi5 hang4. If I won't be being examined tomorrow, I can travel. (very uncommon in natural Cantonese)

Future Perfect Passive Negative 如果 + Subject + 未畀 + 人 + V完，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + mei6 bei2 jan4 + V jyun4, zau6... 如果我未畀人檢查完，就要繼續等。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 mei6 bei2 jan4 gim2 caa4 jyun4, zau6 jiu3 gai3 zuk6 dang2. If I haven't been completely examined, I have to keep waiting.

Future Perfect Continuous Passive Negative 如果 + Subject + 唔再畀 + 人 + V，就... jyu4 gwo2 + subject + m4 zoi3 bei2 jan4 + V, zau6... 如果我唔再畀人照顧，就要自己生活。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 m4 zoi3 bei2 jan4 ziu3 gu3, zau6 jiu3 zi6 gei2 sang1 wut6. If I am no longer cared for, I will have to live independently.

Would Present Simple 會 + V wui5 + V

Would Present Continuous 會 + V緊 wui5 + V gan2

Would Present Perfect 會 + V咗 wui5 + V zo2

Would Present Perfect Continuous 會一直 + V wui5 jat1 zik6 + V

Would Past Simple 會 + V (past context) wui5 + V

Would Past Continuous 會 + V緊 wui5 + V gan2

Would Past Perfect 本來會 + V bun2 loi4 wui5 + V

Would Past Perfect Continuous 本來會一直 + V bun2 loi4 wui5 jat1 zik6 + V

Would Future Simple 會 + V wui5 + V

Would Future Continuous 會 + V緊 wui5 + V gan2

Would Future Perfect 會 + V咗/完 wui5 + V zo2/jyun4

Would Future Perfect Continuous 會一直 + V wui5 jat1 zik6 + V

Would not Present Simple 唔會 + V m4 wui5 + V

Would not Present Continuous 唔會 + V緊 m4 wui5 + V gan2

Would not Present Perfect 唔會 + V咗 m4 wui5 + V zo2

Would not Present Perfect Continuous 唔會一直 + V m4 wui5 jat1 zik6 + V

Would not Past Simple 唔會 + V (past context) m4 wui5 + V

Would not Past Continuous 唔會 + V緊 m4 wui5 + V gan2

Would not Past Perfect 本來唔會 + V bun2 loi4 m4 wui5 + V

Would not Past Perfect Continuous 本來唔會一直 + V bun2 loi4 m4 wui5 jat1 zik6 + V

Would not Future Simple 唔會 + V m4 wui5 + V

Would not Future Continuous 唔會 + V緊 m4 wui5 + V gan2

Would not Future Perfect 唔會 + V咗/完 m4 wui5 + V zo2/jyun4

Would not Future Perfect Continuous 唔會一直 + V m4 wui5 jat1 zik6 + V

Would Passive Present Simple 會畀 + 人 + V wui5 bei2 jan4 V

Would Passive Present Continuous 會畀 + 人 + V緊 wui5 bei2 jan4 V gan2

Would Passive Present Perfect 會畀 + 人 + V咗 wui5 bei2 jan4 V zo2

Would Passive Present Perfect Continuous 會一直畀 + 人 + V wui5 jat1 zik6 bei2 jan4 V

Would Passive Past Simple 會畀 + 人 + V wui5 bei2 jan4 V

Would Passive Past Continuous 會畀 + 人 + V緊 wui5 bei2 jan4 V gan2

Would Passive Past Perfect 本來會畀 + 人 + V bun2 loi4 wui5 bei2 jan4 V

Would Passive Past Perfect Continuous 本來會一直畀 + 人 + V bun2 loi4 wui5 jat1 zik6 bei2 jan4 V

Would Passive Future Simple 會畀 + 人 + V wui5 bei2 jan4 V

Would Passive Future Continuous 會畀 + 人 + V緊 wui5 bei2 jan4 V gan2

Would Passive Future Perfect 會畀 + 人 + V咗/完 wui5 bei2 jan4 V zo2/jyun4

Would Passive Future Perfect Continuous 會一直畀 + 人 + V wui5 jat1 zik6 bei2 jan4 V

Would not Passive Present Simple 唔會畀 + 人 + V m4 wui5 bei2 jan4 V

Would not Passive Present Continuous 唔會畀 + 人 + V緊 m4 wui5 bei2 jan4 V gan2

Would not Passive Present Perfect 唔會畀 + 人 + V咗 m4 wui5 bei2 jan4 V zo2

Would not Passive Present Perfect Continuous 唔會一直畀 + 人 + V m4 wui5 jat1 zik6 bei2 jan4 V

Would not Passive Past Simple 唔會畀 + 人 + V m4 wui5 bei2 jan4 V

Would not Passive Past Continuous 唔會畀 + 人 + V緊 m4 wui5 bei2 jan4 V gan2

Would not Passive Past Perfect 本來唔會畀 + 人 + V bun2 loi4 m4 wui5 bei2 jan4 V

Would not Passive Past Perfect Continuous 本來唔會一直畀 + 人 + V bun2 loi4 m4 wui5 jat1 zik6 bei2 jan4 V

Would not Passive Future Simple 唔會畀 + 人 + V m4 wui5 bei2 jan4 V

Would not Passive Future Continuous 唔會畀 + 人 + V緊 m4 wui5 bei2 jan4 V gan2

Would not Passive Future Perfect 唔會畀 + 人 + V完/咗 m4 wui5 bei2 jan4 V jyun4/zo2

Would not Passive Future Perfect Continuous 唔會一直畀 + 人 + V m4 wui5 jat1 zik6 bei2 jan4 V

if 如果 jyu4 gwo2

suppose/if 假如 gaa2 jyu4

then 就 zau6

even if 就算 zau6 syun3

only if 先至 sin1 zi3

unless 如果唔 jyu4 gwo2 m4

whether 無論 mou4 leon6

as if 好似...咁 hou2 ci5...gam2

when 當 dong1

when (at that time) 當...嗰陣時 dong1...go2 zan6 si4

when/as soon as 一...就... jat1...zau6

when the time comes 到 dou3

whenever 每當 mui5 dong1

wait until/when 等 dang2

Zero Conditional 如果 A，就 B jyu4 gwo2 A, zau6 B If A happens, B happens

First Conditional 如果 A，就會 B jyu4 gwo2 A, zau6 wui5 B If A happens, B will happen

Second Conditional 如果 A，就會 B jyu4 gwo2 A, zau6 wui5 B If A were true, B would happen

Third Conditional 如果 A咗 / 過，就會 B咗 jyu4 gwo2 A zo2 / gwo3, zau6 wui5 B zo2 If A had happened, B would have happened

Mixed Conditional 如果過去 A，而家就會 B jyu4 gwo2 gwo3 heoi3 A, ji4 gaa1 zau6 wui5 B If A happened before, B now

Negative Conditional 如果唔 A，就唔會 B jyu4 gwo2 m4 A, zau6 m4 wui5 B If not A, not B

Unless 除非 A，否則 B ceoi4 fei1 A, fau2 zak1 B Unless A, B

Even if 就算 A，都 B zau6 syun3 A, dou1 B Even if A, B

Only if 只有 A，才 B zi2 jau5 A, coi4 B Only if A, B

When 當 A，就 B dong1 A, zau6 B When A, B

14- COMPARATIVE AND SUPERLATIVE

Equality A + 同 + B + 一樣 + Adj A + tung4 + B + jat1 joeng6 + adj 我同你一樣高。 ngo5 tung4 nei5 jat1 joeng6 gou1 I am as tall as you.

Comparative A + 比 + B + Adj A + bei2 + B + adj 我比你高。 ngo5 bei2 nei5 gou1 I am taller than you.

More A + 比 + B + 更 + Adj A + bei2 + B + gang3 + adj 今日比琴日更熱。 gam1 jat6 bei2 kam4 jat6 gang3 jit6 Today is hotter than yesterday.

Even more A + 比 + B + 更加 + Adj A + bei2 + B + gang3 gaa1 + adj 呢本書比嗰本更加有趣。 ni1 bun2 syu1 bei2 go2 bun2 gang3 gaa1 jau5 ceoi3 This book is even more interesting.

Not as...as A + 冇 + B + 咁 + Adj A + mou5 + B + gam3 + adj 我冇你咁高。 ngo5 mou5 nei5 gam3 gou1 I am not as tall as you.

Slightly more A + 比 + B + 稍為 + Adj A + bei2 + B + saau1 wai4 + adj 呢件衫比嗰件稍為貴。 ni1 gin6 saam1 bei2 go2 gin6 saau1 wai4 gwai3 This shirt is slightly more expensive.

Much more A + 比 + B + Adj + 好多 A + bei2 + B + adj + hou2 do1 上海比香港大好多。 Soeng6 hoi2 bei2 Hoeng1 Gong2 daai6 hou2 do1 Shanghai is much bigger.

Superlative 最 + Adj zeoi3 + adj 佢最高。 keoi5 zeoi3 gou1 He is the tallest.

Least 最唔 + Adj zeoi3 m4 + adj 呢個最唔方便。 ni1 go3 zeoi3 m4 fong1 bin6 This is the least convenient.

Verb comparative A + 比 + B + V + 得 + Adj A + bei2 + B + V + dak1 + adj 佢比我跑得快。 keoi5 bei2 ngo5 paau2 dak1 faai3 He runs faster than I do.

Verb superlative V + 得 + 最 + Adj V + dak1 + zeoi3 + adj 佢跑得最快。 keoi5 paau2 dak1 zeoi3 faai3 He runs the fastest.

More nouns A + 比 + B + 多 + Noun A + bei2 + B + do1 + noun 我比你多書。 ngo5 bei2 nei5 do1 syu1 I have more books.

Fewer nouns A + 比 + B + 少 + Noun A + bei2 + B + siu2 + noun 我比你少錢。 ngo5 bei2 nei5 siu2 cin2 I have less money.

Most nouns 最多 + Noun zeoi3 do1 + noun 佢有最多朋友。 keoi5 jau5 zeoi3 do1 pang4 jau5 He has the most friends.

Least nouns 最少 + Noun zeoi3 siu2 + noun 我有最少時間。 ngo5 jau5 zeoi3 siu2 si4 gaan3 I have the least time.

Increasing 越嚟越 + Adj jyut6 lai4 jyut6 + adj 天氣越嚟越熱。 tin1 hei3 jyut6 lai4 jyut6 jit6 The weather is getting hotter.

Decreasing 越嚟越唔 + Adj jyut6 lai4 jyut6 m4 + adj 佢越嚟越唔開心。 keoi5 jyut6 lai4 jyut6 m4 hoi1 sam1 He is becoming less and less happy.

15- RELATIVE CLAUSES

Relative Clause + 嘅 [ge3] + Noun

the book I read 我睇嘅書 ngo5 tai2 ge3 syu1

the person who came 嚟嘅人 lai4 ge3 jan4

the food you cooked 你煮嘅嘢食 nei5 zyu2 ge3 je5 sik6

the car he bought 佢買嘅車 keoi5 maai5 ge3 ce1

the book I am reading 我睇緊嘅書 ngo5 tai2 gan2 ge3 syu1

the book I read (finished) 我睇咗嘅書 ngo5 tai2 zo2 ge3 syu1

the place I live 我住嘅地方 ngo5 zyu6 ge3 dei6 fong1

Sometimes 嘅 is omitted, especially when the relationship is very close or the phrase becomes a fixed noun.

16- REPORTED SPEECH AND DIRECT SPEECH

Direct Speech: Subject + 話 (waa6) + 「exact words」

Reported Speech:

Statement A 話 [waa6] + clause 佢話佢攰

Question A 問 [man6] + clause 佢問我去唔去

Wh-question A 問 [man6] + question word 佢問我邊度

Command A 叫 [giu3] + person + verb 佢叫我去

Request A 請 [cing2] + person + verb 佢請我幫佢

17- INFINITIVES AND VERBAL NOUNS

to eat 食 sik6

to go 去 heoi3

want to eat 想食 soeng2 sik6

need to go 要去 jiu3 heoi3

can do 可以做 ho2 ji5 zou6

eating (activity) 食飯 sik6 faan6

reading 睇書 tai2 syu1

studying 學習 hok6 zaap6

start doing 開始 + verb hoi1 ci2 + verb

continue doing 繼續 + verb gai3 zuk6 + verb

finish doing verb + 完 verb + jyun4

I am happy seeing you. Subject + 見到 + person + 好開心 subject + gin3 dou2 + person + hou2 hoi1 sam1 我見到你好開心。 ngo5 gin3 dou2 nei5 hou2 hoi1 sam1. I + see + you + very happy

I am happy to see you. Subject + 見到 + person + 好開心 subject + gin3 dou2 + person + hou2 hoi1 sam1 我見到你好開心。 ngo5 gin3 dou2 nei5 hou2 hoi1 sam1. I + see + you + very happy

I plan to eat. Subject + 打算 + Verb subject + daa2 syun3 + verb 我打算食飯。 ngo5 daa2 syun3 sik6 faan6. I + plan + eat

I plan eating. Subject + 打算 + Verb subject + daa2 syun3 + verb 我打算食飯。 ngo5 daa2 syun3 sik6 faan6. I + plan + eat

I see him run. Subject + 見到 + person + Verb subject + gin3 dou2 + person + verb 我見到佢跑。 ngo5 gin3 dou2 keoi5 paau2. I + see + him + run

I see him running. Subject + 見到 + person + Verb緊 subject + gin3 dou2 + person + verb gan2 我見到佢跑緊。 ngo5 gin3 dou2 keoi5 paau2 gan2. I + see + him + running

I eat to play / in order to play. Subject + Verb + 為咗 + Verb subject + verb + wai6 zo2 + verb 我食飯為咗去玩。 ngo5 sik6 faan6 wai6 zo2 heoi3 waan2. I + eat + in order to + go + play

18- SUBJUNCTIVE

If 如果 + Clause jyu4 gwo2 + clause 如果你嚟，我就開心。 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 lai4, ngo5 zau6 hoi1 sam1. If you come, I'll be happy.

Suppose 假如 + Clause gaa2 jyu4 + clause 假如落雨，我哋唔去。 gaa2 jyu4 lok6 jyu5, ngo5 dei6 m4 heoi3. Suppose it rains, we won't go.

Would Subject + 會 + Verb subject + wui5 + verb 我會幫你。 ngo5 wui5 bong1 nei5. I would help you.

Would have Subject + 本來會 + Verb subject + bun2 loi4 wui5 + verb 我本來會去。 ngo5 bun2 loi4 wui5 heoi3. I would have gone.

Wish 希望 + Clause hei1 mong6 + clause 希望我可以去。 hei1 mong6 ngo5 ho2 ji5 heoi3. I hope I can go.

If only 如果…就好喇 jyu4 gwo2...zau6 hou2 laa3 如果我有時間就好喇。 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 jau5 si4 gaan3 zau6 hou2 laa3. If only I had time.

Suggest 建議 + Person + Verb gin3 ji5 + person + verb 我建議你休息。 ngo5 gin3 ji5 nei5 jau1 sik1. I suggest that you rest.

Demand 要求 + Person + Verb jiu1 kau4 + person + verb 老師要求學生努力。 lou5 si1 jiu1 kau4 hok6 saang1 nou5 lik6. The teacher demands that the students work hard.

Necessary 有必要 + Verb jau5 bit1 jiu3 + verb 有必要學習中文。 jau5 bit1 jiu3 hok6 zaap6 zung1 man4. It is necessary to study Chinese.

Would rather Subject + 寧願 + Verb subject + ning4 jyun6 + verb 我寧願自己做。 ngo5 ning4 jyun6 zi6 gei2 zou6. I would rather do it myself.

Let 由得 + Person + Verb jau4 dak1 + person + verb 由得佢自己決定。 jau4 dak1 keoi5 zi6 gei2 kyut3 ding6. Let him decide by himself.

19- TAG QUESTIONS

Isn't it? Statement + 係咪？ statement + hai6 mai6? 今日好熱，係咪？ gam1 jat6 hou2 jit6, hai6 mai6? It's hot today, isn't it?

Is it or not? Statement + 係唔係？ statement + hai6 m4 hai6? 你係老師，係唔係？ nei5 hai6 lou5 si1, hai6 m4 hai6? You're a teacher, aren't you?

Right? Statement + 啱唔啱？ statement + ngaam1 m4 ngaam1? 我哋聽日去，啱唔啱？ ngo5 dei6 ting1 jat6 heoi3, ngaam1 m4 ngaam1? We're going tomorrow, right?

Okay? Statement + 好唔好？ statement + hou2 m4 hou2? 我哋八點見，好唔好？ ngo5 dei6 baat3 dim2 gin3, hou2 m4 hou2? Let's meet at eight, okay?

Can / Can't? Statement + 得唔得？ statement + dak1 m4 dak1? 我坐呢度，得唔得？ ngo5 co5 ni1 dou6, dak1 m4 dak1? Can I sit here? / Is it okay if I sit here?

Will / Won't? Statement + 會唔會？ statement + wui5 m4 wui5? 你聽日會嚟，會唔會？ nei5 ting1 jat6 wui5 lai4, wui5 m4 wui5? You'll come tomorrow, won't you?

Know or Not? Statement + 知唔知？ statement + zi1 m4 zi1? 你知答案，知唔知？ nei5 zi1 daap3 on3, zi1 m4 zi1? You know the answer, don't you?

Like or Not? Statement + 鍾唔鍾意？ statement + zung1 m4 zung1 ji3? 你鍾意呢首歌，鍾唔鍾意？ nei5 zung1 ji3 ni1 sau2 go1, zung1 m4 zung1 ji3? You like this song, don't you?

Past negative Subject + 冇 + V + 咩？ subject + mou5 + V + me1 你冇食飯咩？ nei5 mou5 sik6 faan6 me1? Didn't you eat?

Not yet Subject + 未 + V + 咩？ subject + mei6 + V + me1 你未返屋企咩？ nei5 mei6 faan1 uk1 kei2 me1? Haven't you gone home yet?

Future negative Subject + 唔會 + V + 咩？ subject + m4 wui5 + V + me1 你唔會去咩？ nei5 m4 wui5 heoi3 me1? Won't you go?

Continuous negative Subject + 冇 + V + 緊 + 咩？ subject + mou5 + V + gan2 + me1 你冇讀緊書咩？ nei5 mou5 duk6 gan2 syu1 me1? Aren't you studying?

Perfect negative Subject + 未 + V + 過 + 咩？ subject + mei6 + V + gwo3 + me1 你未去過香港咩？ nei5 mei6 heoi3 gwo3 Hoeng1 Gong2 me1? Haven't you ever been to Hong Kong?

Adjective Subject + 唔 + Adj + 咩？ subject + m4 + adjective + me1 你唔攰咩？ nei5 m4 gui6 me1? Aren't you tired?

Modal Subject + 唔 + Modal + V + 咩？ subject + m4 + modal + V + me1 你唔可以去咩？ nei5 m4 ho2 ji5 heoi3 me1? Can't you go?

20- MODAL WORDS

Cantonese Jyutping English Full example

可以 ho2 ji5 can; may; be allowed to 我可以入去。

ngo5 ho2 ji5 jap6 heoi3. — I can go in.

能夠 nang4 gau3 be able to; can 佢能夠完成工作。

keoi5 nang4 gau3 jyun4 sing4 gung1 zok3. — He can complete the work.

能 nang4 can; be able to — formal 佢能解決問題。

keoi5 nang4 gaai2 kyut3 man6 tai4. — He can solve the problem.

得 dak1 can; be able to 我做得到。

ngo5 zou6 dak1 dou2. — I can do it.

做到 zou6 dou2 manage to; be able to 你一定做到。

nei5 jat1 ding6 zou6 dak1 dou2. — You can definitely do it.

有辦法 jau5 baan6 faat3 have a way; be able to 我有辦法解決。

ngo5 jau5 baan6 faat3 gaai2 kyut3. — I can find a way to solve it.

有能力 jau5 nang4 lik6 have the ability to 佢有能力完成呢件事。

keoi5 jau5 nang4 lik6 jyun4 sing4 ni1 gin6 si6. — He has the ability to complete this.

Basic pattern

可以 / 能夠 + Verb

我可以食。

ngo5 ho2 ji5 sik6.

I can eat.

2. Permission — may / be allowed to

Cantonese Jyutping English

可以 ho2 ji5 may; be allowed to

得 dak1 can; be allowed to

可以...嗎 ho2 ji5...maa3 may I...?

得唔得 dak1 m4 dak1 is it allowed?/can I?

俾 bei2 allow; let

畀 bei2 allow; let — common writing

允許 wan5 heoi2 permit; allow — formal

准許 zeon2 heoi2 permit; authorize — formal

容許 jung4 heoi2 allow; permit — formal

Examples:

我可以入嚟嗎？

ngo5 ho2 ji5 jap6 lei4 maa3?

May I come in?

我可唔可以坐喺度？

ngo5 ho2 m4 ho2 ji5 co5 hai2 dou6?

May I sit here?

老師俾我走。

lou5 si1 bei2 ngo5 zau2.

The teacher allowed me to leave.

3. Possibility — may / might / possibly

Cantonese Jyutping English

可能 ho2 nang4 may; might; possible

可能會 ho2 nang4 wui5 may/might

或者 waak6 ze2 perhaps; maybe

也許 jaa5 heoi2 perhaps — formal/written

或許 waak6 heoi2 perhaps — formal

大概 daai6 koi3 probably; perhaps

大約 daai6 joek3 approximately; possibly in context

似乎 ci5 fu1 seemingly; apparently

好似 hou2 ci5 seems; appears

睇落 tai2 lok6 looks/seems

睇嚟 tai2 lei4 seems/apparently

怕且 paa3 ce2 perhaps; probably

恐怕 hung2 paa3 I'm afraid; probably

未必 mei6 bit1 not necessarily; may not

未知 mei6 zi1 unknown/whether...

唔知 m4 zi1 don't know; perhaps

Examples:

聽日可能會落雨。

ting1 jat6 ho2 nang4 wui5 lok6 jyu5.

It might rain tomorrow.

佢可能唔嚟。

keoi5 ho2 nang4 m4 lai4.

He may not come.

或者佢已經走咗。

waak6 ze2 keoi5 ji5 ging1 zau2 zo2.

Perhaps he has already left.

4. Necessity — must / have to

Cantonese Jyutping English

要 jiu3 must; have to; need to

一定要 jat1 ding6 jiu3 definitely must

必須 bit1 seoi1 must; have to — formal

必需要 bit1 seoi1 jiu3 must — formal

非要 fei1 jiu3 must; insist on having to

非...不可 fei1...bat1 ho2 must; cannot avoid

務必 mou6 bit1 must; be sure to — formal

務須 mou6 seoi1 must — formal

應該要 jing1 goi1 jiu3 should have to

有需要 jau5 seoi1 jiu3 need to; if necessary

Examples:

你要做功課。

nei5 jiu3 zou6 gung1 fo3.

You have to do your homework.

你一定要小心。

nei5 jat1 ding6 jiu3 siu2 sam1.

You must be careful.

你務必準時到達。

nei5 mou6 bit1 zeon2 si4 dou3 daat6.

You must arrive on time.

5. Obligation — should / ought to

Cantonese Jyutping English

應該 jing1 goi1 should; ought to

應當 jing1 dong1 should; ought to — formal

應 jing1 should — formal

理應 lei5 jing1 ought to; should — formal

本應 bun2 jing1 should originally have

應有 jing1 jau5 should have/there should be

Example:

你應該早啲瞓。

nei5 jing1 goi1 zou2 di1 fan3.

You should go to bed earlier.

6. Prohibition — must not / should not

Cantonese Jyutping English

唔可以 m4 ho2 ji5 must not; cannot

唔准 m4 zeon2 must not; not allowed

唔許 m4 heoi2 must not; forbidden

唔應該 m4 jing1 goi1 should not

唔應 m4 jing1 should not — formal

不得 bat1 dak1 must not; may not — formal

不准 bat1 zeon2 must not; prohibited — formal

禁止 gam3 zi2 prohibit; be forbidden

禁止... gam3 zi2... it is prohibited to...

Examples:

你唔可以咁做。

nei5 m4 ho2 ji5 gam2 zou6.

You mustn't do that.

呢度唔准吸煙。

ni1 dou6 m4 zeon2 kap1 jin1.

Smoking is not allowed here.

你唔應該講大話。

nei5 m4 jing1 goi1 gong2 daai6 waa6.

You shouldn't lie.

7. Need / need to

Cantonese Jyutping English

要 jiu3 need; need to

需要 seoi1 jiu3 need; need to

有需要 jau5 seoi1 jiu3 need to; have a need

必須 bit1 seoi1 must/need to

用唔着 jung6 m4 zoek6 don't need

唔使 m4 sai2 don't need to

唔需要 m4 seoi1 jiu3 don't need

毋須 mou4 seoi1 need not — formal

Example:

你唔使擔心。

nei5 m4 sai2 daam1 sam1.

You don't need to worry.

8. “Don't have to” vs “must not”

This distinction is important.

Cantonese Jyutping Meaning

唔使 m4 sai2 don't have to

唔需要 m4 seoi1 jiu3 don't need to

唔可以 m4 ho2 ji5 must not/cannot

唔准 m4 zeon2 must not/not allowed

Compare:

你唔使去。

nei5 m4 sai2 heoi3.

You don't have to go.

你唔可以去。

nei5 m4 ho2 ji5 heoi3.

You must not go.

9. Want / willingness

These are not strict modal auxiliaries, but they express volition/modality.

Cantonese Jyutping English

想 soeng2 want to

要 jiu3 want; want to

願意 jyun6 ji3 be willing to

肯 hang2 be willing to

願 jyun6 be willing — formal

樂意 lok6 ji3 be willing/glad to

情願 cing4 jyun6 would rather/be willing to

寧願 ning4 jyun6 would rather

寧可 ning4 ho2 would rather — formal

Examples:

我想食飯。

ngo5 soeng2 sik6 faan6.

I want to eat.

佢肯幫我。

keoi5 hang2 bong1 ngo5.

He is willing to help me.

我願意試吓。

ngo5 jyun6 ji3 si3 haa5.

I am willing to try.

10. Intention — intend to

Cantonese Jyutping English

打算 daa2 syun3 plan/intend to

諗住 nam2 zyu6 plan/intend to — colloquial

諗住要 nam2 zyu6 jiu3 intend to

計劃 gai3 waak6 plan to

有意 jau5 ji3 intend to

有意圖 jau5 ji3 tou4 intend/intend with purpose

意圖 ji3 tou4 intend/intention

準備 zeon2 bei6 be preparing/planning to

Examples:

我打算去旅行。

ngo5 daa2 syun3 heoi3 leoi5 hang4.

I intend to travel.

我諗住聽日去。

ngo5 nam2 zyu6 ting1 jat6 heoi3.

I plan to go tomorrow.

11. “Be going to”

Cantonese has several ways to express a future intention.

Cantonese Jyutping English

就要 zau6 jiu3 be about to

就嚟 zau6 lai4 be about to

快要 faai3 jiu3 be about to — more formal

打算 daa2 syun3 plan to

諗住 nam2 zyu6 intend to

會 wui5 will/be going to

將會 zoeng1 wui5 will — formal

Example:

我就要出發喇。

ngo5 zau6 jiu3 ceot1 faat3 laa3.

I am about to leave.

12. Future / prediction — will

Cantonese Jyutping English

會 wui5 will

將會 zoeng1 wui5 will — formal

將 zoeng1 will — formal

一定會 jat1 ding6 wui5 will definitely

應該會 jing1 goi1 wui5 should/probably will

可能會 ho2 nang4 wui5 may/might

Example:

聽日會落雨。

ting1 jat6 wui5 lok6 jyu5.

It will rain tomorrow.

13. Past “was going to / would”

Cantonese does not have one exact equivalent of English was going to. Common constructions include:

Cantonese Jyutping English

本來要 bun2 loi4 jiu3 was originally going to

本來想 bun2 loi4 soeng2 originally wanted/planned to

原本要 jyun4 bun2 jiu3 originally was going to

原本想 jyun4 bun2 soeng2 originally intended to

本來會 bun2 loi4 wui5 would originally have

就要 zau6 jiu3 was about to / was going to

諗住 nam2 zyu6 was planning/intending to

Example:

我本來要去，但係最後冇去。

ngo5 bun2 loi4 jiu3 heoi3, daan6 hai6 zeoi3 hau6 mou5 heoi3.

I was going to go, but in the end I didn't.

14. “Would” — hypothetical / conditional

Cantonese does not have one word corresponding to every English use of would.

Cantonese Jyutping English

會 wui5 would

就會 zau6 wui5 would then

就 zau6 then/would

如果...就會... jyu4 gwo2...zau6 wui5... if...would...

假如...就會... gaa2 jyu4...zau6 wui5... if...would...

肯 hang2 would be willing to

寧願 ning4 jyun6 would rather

Example:

如果有錢，我就會買。

jyu4 gwo2 jau5 cin4, ngo5 zau6 wui5 maai5.

If I had money, I would buy it.

15. “Would rather”

Cantonese Jyutping English

寧願 ning4 jyun6 would rather

寧可 ning4 ho2 would rather

情願 cing4 jyun6 would rather

不如 bat1 jyu4 rather; it would be better to

Example:

我寧願留喺屋企。

ngo5 ning4 jyun6 lau4 hai2 uk1 kei2.

I would rather stay at home.

16. “Should probably / expectation”

Cantonese Jyutping English

應該 jing1 goi1 should

應該會 jing1 goi1 wui5 should probably/will probably

大概會 daai6 koi3 wui5 will probably

應當 jing1 dong1 should — formal

理應 lei5 jing1 ought to

Example:

佢應該會嚟。

keoi5 jing1 goi1 wui5 lai4.

He should probably come.

17. Probability / likelihood

Cantonese Jyutping English

一定 jat1 ding6 certainly; definitely

肯定 hang2 ding6 certainly; definitely

必定 bit1 ding6 certainly — formal

必然 bit1 jin4 inevitably — formal

可能 ho2 nang4 possibly

大概 daai6 koi3 probably

應該 jing1 goi1 probably/should

似乎 ci5 fu1 apparently

好似 hou2 ci5 seems

未必 mei6 bit1 not necessarily

或者 waak6 ze2 perhaps

也許 jaa5 heoi2 perhaps — formal

恐怕 hung2 paa3 probably; I'm afraid

睇落 tai2 lok6 seems

睇嚟 tai2 lei4 seems/apparently

18. Certainty

Cantonese Jyutping English

一定 jat1 ding6 definitely

肯定 hang2 ding6 certainly

當然 dong1 jin4 of course

必定 bit1 ding6 certainly

必然 bit1 jin4 inevitably

無疑 mou4 ji4 undoubtedly — formal

肯定係 hang2 ding6 hai6 definitely is

一定係 jat1 ding6 hai6 must be/definitely is

實係 sat6 hai6 surely is

梗係 gang2 hai6 of course/surely — colloquial

Example:

佢一定係老師。

keoi5 jat1 ding6 hai6 lou5 si1.

He must be a teacher.

19. Evidential / “apparently”

Cantonese Jyutping English

好似 hou2 ci5 seems

似乎 ci5 fu1 apparently

睇落 tai2 lok6 it looks/seems

睇嚟 tai2 lei4 apparently

聽落 teng1 lok6 sounds/seems

聽講 teng1 gong2 reportedly/I hear

聽聞 teng1 man4 reportedly — formal

原來 jyun4 loi4 it turns out

據聞 geoi3 man4 reportedly — formal

Example:

睇嚟佢唔會嚟。

tai2 lei4 keoi5 m4 wui5 lai4.

It seems he won't come.

20. “Seem / appear”

Cantonese Jyutping English

好似 hou2 ci5 seem

似乎 ci5 fu1 seem/appear

睇落 tai2 lok6 look/seem

睇嚟 tai2 lei4 seem

彷彿 fong2 fat1 as if — literary

仿佛 fong2 fat1 as if — written

21. “Almost / nearly”

Not strict modals, but important modality-like expressions.

Cantonese Jyutping English

差啲 caa1 di1 almost

差唔多 caa1 m4 do1 almost/nearly

幾乎 gei2 fu1 almost — formal

就快 zau6 faai3 soon/almost

快要 faai3 jiu3 be about to

Example:

我差啲遲到。

ngo5 caa1 di1 ci4 dou3.

I almost arrived late.

22. Hope / wish

Cantonese Jyutping English

希望 hei1 mong6 hope

想 soeng2 want/wish

願意 jyun6 ji3 be willing

但願 daan6 jyun6 if only/may it be that — formal

唯願 wai4 jyun6 wish only — formal

但求 daan6 kau4 only wish to — formal

Example:

我希望你可以成功。

ngo5 hei1 mong6 nei5 ho2 ji5 sing4 gung1.

I hope you can succeed.

23. Advice / recommendation

Cantonese Jyutping English

應該 jing1 goi1 should

最好 zeoi3 hou2 had better

不如 bat1 jyu4 should/rather

建議 gin3 ji5 recommend/suggest

建議... gin3 ji5... should/suggest that

最好就 zeoi3 hou2 zau6 it would be best to

最好係 zeoi3 hou2 hai6 it would be best if

Example:

你最好早啲休息。

nei5 zeoi3 hou2 zou2 di1 jau1 sik1.

You'd better rest earlier.

24. “Be supposed to”

Cantonese Jyutping English

應該 jing1 goi1 should/be supposed to

應該要 jing1 goi1 jiu3 be supposed to

本應 bun2 jing1 was supposed to — formal

理應 lei5 jing1 be supposed to/ought to

按理 on3 lei5 supposedly/as expected

照計 ziu3 gai3 supposedly; according to expectation

Example:

佢應該今日到。

keoi5 jing1 goi1 gam1 jat6 dou3.

He is supposed to arrive today.

25. “Have to / be forced to”

Cantonese Jyutping English

要 jiu3 have to

唯有 wai4 jau5 have no choice but to

只好 zi2 hou2 have to; can only

逼住 bik1 zyu6 be forced to

被迫 bei6 paak3 be forced to — formal

迫住 bik1 zyu6 be forced to

不得不 bat1 dak1 bat1 cannot but/must — formal

無可避免 mou4 ho2 bei6 min5 unavoidable

Examples:

我唯有走。

ngo5 wai4 jau5 zau2.

I have no choice but to leave.

我只好返屋企。

ngo5 zi2 hou2 faan1 uk1 kei2.

I had to go home.

26. “Can’t help but”

Cantonese Jyutping English

忍唔住 jan2 m4 zyu6 can't help but

唔禁 m4 gam1 cannot help — formal

不禁 bat1 gam1 cannot help but — formal

忍不住 jan2 bat1 zyu6 cannot help but — written

Example:

我忍唔住笑。

ngo5 jan2 m4 zyu6 siu3.

I couldn't help laughing.

27. “Dare”

Cantonese Jyutping English

敢 gam2 dare

敢於 gam2 jyu1 dare to — formal

唔敢 m4 gam2 dare not

敢唔敢 gam2 m4 gam2 dare you...?

Examples:

你敢唔敢試？

nei5 gam2 m4 gam2 si3?

Do you dare to try?

我唔敢講。

ngo5 m4 gam2 gong2.

I don't dare say.

28. “Need not / needn't”

Cantonese Jyutping English

唔使 m4 sai2 needn't

唔需要 m4 seoi1 jiu3 don't need to

唔駛 m4 sai2 needn't — variant writing

毋須 mou4 seoi1 need not — formal

不必 bat1 bit1 need not — formal

Example:

你唔使擔心。

nei5 m4 sai2 daam1 sam1.

You needn't worry.

29. “Must be” — logical deduction

Cantonese often uses:

一定 + 係

or

應該 + 係

Cantonese Jyutping English

一定係 jat1 ding6 hai6 must be/definitely is

肯定係 hang2 ding6 hai6 must certainly be

應該係 jing1 goi1 hai6 should be/probably is

肯定係...嘅 hang2 ding6 hai6...ge3 definitely is

Examples:

佢一定係老師。

keoi5 jat1 ding6 hai6 lou5 si1.

He must be a teacher.

佢應該係學生。

keoi5 jing1 goi1 hai6 hok6 saang1.

He is probably a student.

30. Sentence-final modal particles

These are not modal verbs, but they can add attitude, expectation, certainty, suggestion, or insistence.

Particle Jyutping Typical modal/pragmatic function

啦 laa1 change of situation; urging

喇 laa3 new situation/change

呀 aa3 emphasis/softening

㗎 gaa3 assertion/emphasis

嘅 ge3 assertion/assurance

喎 wo3 reported/new information

啩 gwaa3 probably/I suppose

啫 ze1 only/just

咩 me1 surprise/challenge

呢 ne1 question/continuation

囉 lo1 obviousness/resigned conclusion

先 sin1 first/only then

都 dou1 even/also

就 zau6 then/precisely

Example:

佢應該會嚟㗎。

keoi5 jing1 goi1 wui5 lai4 gaa3.

He should come. / I'm pretty sure he'll come.

31. “Maybe” vs “probably” vs “definitely”

A useful scale:

Cantonese Jyutping Approximate English meaning

或者 waak6 ze2 maybe/perhaps

可能 ho2 nang4 may/might

似乎 ci5 fu1 apparently/seemingly

大概 daai6 koi3 probably

應該 jing1 goi1 should/probably

肯定 hang2 ding6 certainly

一定 jat1 ding6 definitely

必定 bit1 ding6 certainly/inevitably

These are not exact equivalents in every context.

Most important Cantonese modal patterns

1. 可以 + V

ho2 ji5 + V → can/may

我可以去。

ngo5 ho2 ji5 heoi3.

I can/may go.

2. 要 + V

jiu3 + V → must/have to/want to

我要去。

ngo5 jiu3 heoi3.

I have to go / I want to go.

Context determines which meaning is intended.

3. 應該 + V

jing1 goi1 + V → should/probably

你應該去。

nei5 jing1 goi1 heoi3.

You should go.

4. 可能 + V

ho2 nang4 + V → may/might

佢可能去。

keoi5 ho2 nang4 heoi3.

He might go.

5. 會 + V

wui5 + V → will/would

佢會去。

keoi5 wui5 heoi3.

He will go.

6. 唔使 + V

m4 sai2 + V → don't have to/needn't

你唔使去。

nei5 m4 sai2 heoi3.

You don't have to go.

7. 唔可以 + V

m4 ho2 ji5 + V → must not/cannot

你唔可以去。

nei5 m4 ho2 ji5 heoi3.

You must not go.

8. 打算 + V

daa2 syun3 + V → intend/plan to

我打算去旅行。

ngo5 daa2 syun3 heoi3 leoi5 hang4.

I plan to travel.

9. 想 + V

soeng2 + V → want to

我想食飯。

ngo5 soeng2 sik6 faan6.

I want to eat.

10. 肯 + V

hang2 + V → be willing to

佢肯幫我。

keoi5 hang2 bong1 ngo5.

He is willing to help me.

11. 敢 + V

gam2 + V → dare to

你敢講嗎？

nei5 gam2 gong2 maa3?

Do you dare to say it?

12. 本來要 + V

bun2 loi4 jiu3 + V → was originally going to

我本來要去。

ngo5 bun2 loi4 jiu3 heoi3.

I was going to go.

21- THERE IS / HAVE / BE

there is/are     有     jau5

there is not     冇     mou5

is there?     有冇？     jau5 mou5

there will be     會有     wui5 jau5

there used to be     以前有     ji5 cin4 jau5

there must be     一定有     jat1 ding6 jau5

there seems to be     好似有     hou2 ci5 jau5

someone exists     有人     jau5 jan4

have/own     有     jau5

don't have     冇     mou5

do you have?     有冇？     jau5 mou5

have eaten     食咗     sik6 zo2

have seen     睇過     tai2 gwo3

have been to     去過     heoi3 gwo3

have to     要     jiu3

have someone do     叫 + person + verb     giu3 + person + verb

have something done     搵 + person + verb     wan2 + person + verb

Do!     Verb     —

Please do     請 + verb     cing2 + verb

Must do     要 + verb     jiu3 + verb

Don't do     唔好 + verb     m4 hou2 + verb

Must not do     唔准 + verb     m4 zeon2 + verb

Let me     等我 + verb     dang2 ngo5 + verb

Let's     我哋 + verb + 啦     ngo5 dei6 + verb + laa1

Please don't     請唔好 + verb     cing2 m4 hou2 + verb

Be helped     俾人幫     bei2 jan4 bong1

Don't be disturbed     唔好俾人打擾     m4 hou2 bei2 jan4 daa2 jiu2

Don't be seen     唔好俾人見到     m4 hou2 bei2 jan4 gin3 dou2

Don't be fooled     唔好俾人呃     m4 hou2 bei2 jan4 aak1

Let it be done     由得佢整     jau4 dak1 keoi5 zing2

Get it repaired     叫人整     giu3 jan4 zing2