Survival Phrases - Cantonese

你識唔識講英文？

nei5 sik1 m4 sik1 gong2 jing1 man2?

Literal translation: You know or not know English?

→ Can be understood as “Do you speak English?”

Dissection:

nei5 (你): You

sik1 m4 sik1 (識唔識): know don't know

gong2 (講): to speak

jing1 man2 (英文): English

唔好意思

m4 ho2 ji3 si1

Means: Excuse me/Sorry

→Used in formal situations, e.g when asking someone for something

→Can be added first to questions for politeness.

唔好意思，你識唔識講英文？

m4 ho2 ji3 si1, nei5 sik1 m4 sik1 gong2 jing1 man2?

Basically the other 2 phrases together

→ Excuse me, do you know how to speak English?

or along the lines

唔好意思，入口係邊？

m4 hou2 ji3 si1, jap6 hou2 hai2 bin1?

→ Excuse me, where is the entrance?

唔好意思，你踩著我個袋

m4 hou2 ji3 si1, nei5 caai2 zyu6 ngo5 go3 doi2.

→Excuse me, you're stepping on my bag.

唔該

m4 goi1

→ Other than meaning thank you, also kinda used as an excuse me.

→ Used when ordering food/drinks, pushing through in a crowded place

唔該一杯熱奶茶

m4 goi1, jat1 bui1 ji6 nai5 caa4

→ Excuse me, a hot cup of milk tea, please.

唔該謝謝

m4 goi1 ze3 ze3

→ Excuse me, please let me get through.

唔好意思，我有次都

m4 hou2 ji3 si1, ngo5 jau6 ci4 dou3

→ Sorry, I'm late again

對唔住

deoi3 m4 zyu6

→ Sorry (used when you're really sorry for something)

對唔住，我打爛左你部電腦。

deoi3 m4 zyu6, ngo5 daa2 laan6 zo2 nei5 bou6 din6 nou5

→ Sorry, I broke your computer.