Cantonese Beginner 1 Lesson 3: Occupations and Places

Greetings and Basic Social Interactions

• Morning Greeting: Good morning — 早晨 (Zou2 san4)

• Afternoon Greeting: Good afternoon — 午安 (Ng5 on1)

• Evening Greeting: Good evening — 晚上好 (Maan5 soeng6 hou2)

• General Greeting: Hi/Hello — 你好 (Nei5 hou2)

• Polite Introduction: Nice to meet you — 好高興認識你 (Hou2 gou1 hing3 jing6 sik1 nei5)

Personal Identification and Status

• Asking for Name: What is your name? — 你叫乜嘢名呀？ (Nei5 giu3 mat1 je5 meng2 aa3?)

• Answering Name (Option 1): I am called [Name] — 我叫 [Name] 。 (Ngo5 giu3 [Name] 。)

• Answering Name (Option 2): I am [Name] — 我係 [Name] 。 (Ngo5 hai6 [Name] .)

• Formal Inquiry on Well-being: How are you? — 你好嗎？ (Nei5 hou2 maa3?)

• Formal Response on Well-being: I am good, and you? — 我好好, 你呢？ (Ngo5 hou2 hou2, nei5 ne1?)

• Oral/Informal Inquiry on Well-being: How have you been lately? — 呢排點呀？ (Ni1 paai4 dim2 aa3?)

• Oral/Informal Response on Well-being: Not bad, and you? — 唔錯呀，你又點呀？ (M4 co3 aa3, nei5 jau6 dim2 aa3?)

Farewells

• General Goodbye: 拜拜 (Baai1 baai3)

• General Farewell: See you — 再見 (Zoi3 gin3)

• Specific Meeting Farewell: See you then — 到時見 (Dou3 si4 gin3)

• Next Week Farewell (Option 1): See you next week — 下星期見 (Haa6 sing1 kei4 gin3)

• Next Week Farewell (Option 2): See you next week — 下個禮拜見 (Haa6 go3 lai5 baai3 gin3)

Politeness and Gratitude

• Excuse Me/Apology: 唔好意思 (M4 hou2 ji3 si3)

• Serious Apology: Sorry — 對唔住 (Deoi3 m4 zyu6)

• Dismissing a Concern: Never mind — 唔緊要 (M4 gan2 jiu3)

• Requesting/Please: 唔該… (M4 goi1…)

• Requesting Space: Excuse me, please make way for me — 唔該 (借借) (M4 goi1 ze3 ze3)

• Thanks for Service/Help: 唔該 (M4 goi1)

• Thanks for a Gift: 多謝 (Do1 ze6)

• Emphatic Thanks (Service): Thank you very much — 唔該晒 (M4 goi1 saai3)

• Emphatic Thanks (Gift): Thank you very much — 多謝晒 (Do1 ze6 saai3)

• Response to Thanks: You are welcome — 唔洗客氣 (M4 sai2 haak3 hei3)

Classroom Management and Instructions

• Class Start: It’s time to start class — 上堂嘞 (Soeng5 tong4 laak3)

• Class End: It’s time to end class — 而家落堂嘞 (Ji4 gaa1 lok6 tong4 laak3)

• Checking Understanding: Do you understand? — 你明唔明呀？ (Nei5 ming4 m4 ming4 aa3?)

• Affirming Understanding: I understand — 我明 (Ngo5 ming4)

• Denying Understanding: I don’t understand — 我唔明 (Ngo5 m4 ming4)

• Partial Understanding: A little — 少少 (Siu2 siu2)

• Checking for Individual Questions: Does anyone have any questions? — 有冇人有問題呀？ (Jau5 mou5 jan4 jau5 man6 tai4 aa3?)

• Checking for General Questions: Any questions? — 有冇問題呀？ (Jau5 mou5 man6 tai4 aa3?)

• Stating a Question: I have questions — 我有問題 (Ngo5 jau5 man6 tai4)

• Stating No Questions: I don’t have any questions — 我冇問題 (Ngo5 mou5 man6 tai4)

• Checking Progress/Readiness: Are you ready? — 你得未呀？ (Nei5 dak1 mei6 aa3?)

• Stating Readiness: I am ready — 我得啦 (Ngo5 dak1 laa1)

• Stating Unreadiness: Not yet — 未得 (Mei6 dak1)

• Checking Confirmation: Is it okay? — 得唔得呀？ (Dak1 m4 dak1 aa3?) or O唔okay呀？ (O m4 okay aa3?)

• Checking Correctness: Is that right? — 係唔係咁呀？ (Hai6 m4 hai6 gam2 aa4?) or 啱唔啱呀？ (Ngaam1 m4 ngaam1 aa3?)

• Confirmative Answers: Yes — 係 (Hai6) or Right — 啱 (Ngaam1)

• Negative Answers: No — 唔係 (M4 hai6) or Not right — 唔啱 (M4 ngaam1)

• Group Instruction: Please read together — 一齊讀一次 (Jat6 cai4 duk6 jat1 ci3)

• Following Instruction: Read after me — 跟我讀一次 (Gan1 ngo5 duk6 jat1 ci3)

• Task Assignment: Please ask me three questions — 唔該問我三個問題 (M4 goi1 man6 ngo5 saam1 go3 man6 tai4)

• Repetition Request: Please repeat one more time — 唔該再講多一次 (M4 goi1 zoi3 gong2 do1 jat1 ci3)

• Writing Request: Please write it down — 唔該寫低佢 (M4 goi1 se2 dai1 keoi5)

• Listening Request: Please listen — 唔該聽住 (M4 goi1 teng1 zyu6)

• Observation Request: Please look — 唔該睇吓 (M4 goi1 tai2 haa5)

Language Skills and Translation

• Core Skills (Verbs):

  • Listen: 聽 (teng1)

  • Read: 讀 (duk6)

  • Speak: 講 (gong2)

  • Write: 寫 (se2)

  • Look/Watch: 睇 (tai2)

• Translating to Cantonese: How do you say "XXX" in Cantonese? — “XXX” 廣東話點講呀？ (“XXX” gwong2 dung1 waa2 dim2 gong2 aa3?)

• Translating to English: How do you say "XXX" in English? — “XXX” 英文點講呀？ (“XXX” jing1 man2 dim2 gong2 aa3?)

Geography: Countries and Cities

• United States: 美國 (Mei5gwok3)

• Japan: 日本 (Jat6bun2)

• South Korea: 韓國 (Hon4gwok3)

• Thailand: 泰國 (Taai3gwok3)

• China: 中國 (Zung1gwok3)

• Australia: 澳洲 (Ou3zau1)

• United Kingdom: 英國 (Jing1gwok3)

• France: 法國 (Faat3gwok3)

• Germany: 德國 (Dak1gwok3)

• Spain: 西班牙 (Sai1baan1ngaa4)

• Russia: 俄羅斯 (Ngo4lo4si1)

• Egypt: 埃及 (Aai1kap6)

• Philippines: 菲律賓 (Fei1leot6ban1)

• Italy: 意大利 (Ji3 daai6lei6)

• Malaysia: 馬拉 (Maa5laai1)

• Ukraine: 烏克蘭 (Wu1hak1laan4)

• Canada: 加拿大 (Gaa1naa4daai6)

• Iceland: 冰島 (Bing1dou2)

• Mexico: 墨西哥 (Mak6sai1go1)

• Norway: 挪威 (No4wai1)

• Scotland: 蘇格蘭 (Sou1 gaak3 laan4)

• Turkey: 土耳其 (Tou2 ji5 kei4)

• San Francisco: 三藩市 (Saam1 faan4 si5)

• Hong Kong: 香港 (Hoeng1 gong2)

• Taiwan: 台灣 (Toi4 waan1)

• Kyoto: 京都 (Ging1 dou1)

Personal Origin and Residence

• Inquiry of Origin: Where are you from? — 你喺邊度嚟㗎？ (Nei5 hai2 bin1 dou6 lai4 gaa3?)

• Response of Origin: I am from [Place] — 我喺 [Place] 嚟嘅 (Ngo5 hai2 [Place] lai4 ge3)

• National Identity: I am [Nationality] person — 我係 [Place] 人 (Ngo5 hai6 [Place] jan4)

• Nationality Inquiry: Are you [Nationality] person? — 你係唔係 [Nationality] 人呀？ (Nei5 hai6 m4 hai6 [Nationality] jan4 aa3?)

• Alternative Nationality Inquiry: What’s your nationality? — 你係邊度人? (Nei5 hai6 bin1 dou6 yan4?)

• Inquiry of Residence: Where do you reside/live? — 你住喺邊度呀？ (Nei5 zyu6 hai2 bin1 dou6 aa3?)

• Response of Residence: I live in [Place] — 我住喺 [Place] (Ngo5 zyu6 hai2 [Place])

Languages

• English: 英文 (Jing1man2)

• Thai: 泰文 (Taai3man2)

• Japanese: 日文 (Jat6man2)

• Chinese (General): 中文 (Zung1man4)

• Cantonese: 廣東話 (Gwong2dung1waa2)

• Mandarin: 普通話 (Pou2tung1waa2)

• French: 法文 (Faat3man4)

• German: 德文 (Dak1man2)

• Spanish: 西班牙文 (Sai1baan1ngaa4man2)

• Korean: 韓文 (Hon4man2)

• Arabic: 阿拉伯文 (Aa3laai1baak3man4)

• Russian: 俄文 (Ngo4man2)

• Ability Inquiry: Can you speak [Language]? — 你識唔識講 [Language] 呀？ (Nei5 sik1 m4 sik1 gong2 [Language] aa3?)

• General Language Ability Inquiry: What languages can you speak? — 你識講邊幾種語言呀? (Nei5 sik1 gong2 bin1 gei2 zung2 jyu5 jin4 aa3?)

• Positive Ability Response: I can speak [Language] — 我識講 [Language] (Ngo5 sik1 gong2 [Language])

• Negative Ability Response: I can’t speak [Language] — 我唔識講 [Language] (Ngo5 m4 sik1 gong2 [Language])

Occupations (ZIK1 JIP6)

• Inquiry of Job (General): What is your job? / What do you do? — 你做乜嘢㗎？ (Nei5 zou6 mat1 je5 gaa3?)

• Inquiry of Job (Business Context): What is your job? — 你做盛行呀？ (Nei5 zou6 sing6 hang4 aa3?)

• Occupation Titles:

  • Teacher: 老師 (Lou5 si1)

  • Student: 學生 (Hok6 saang1)

  • Company Employee: 公司職員 (Gung1 si1 zik1 jyun4)

  • Clerk: 文員 (Man4 jyun4)

  • Computer Programmer: 電腦程式員 (Din6 nou5 cing4 sik1 jyun4)

  • Artist: 畫家 (Waa2 gaa1)

  • Accountant: 會計師 (Wui6 gai3 si1)

  • Lawyer: 律師 (Leot6 si1)

  • Doctor: 醫生 (Ji1 sang1)

  • Nurse: 護士/姑娘 (Wu6 si6/gu1 noeng4)

  • Driver: 司機 (Si1 gei1)

  • Fire Fighter: 消防員 (Siu1 fong4 jyun4)

  • Police: 警察/差人 (Ging2 caat3/caai1 jan4)

  • Housewife: 家庭主婦 (Gaa1 ting4 zyu2 fu5)

  • Chef: 廚師 (Cyu4 si1)

  • Attendant/Caregiver: 護理員 (Wu6 lei5 jyun4)

  • Wine Expert: 葡萄酒專家 (Pou4 tou4 zau2 zyun1 gaa1)

  • Pharmacist: 藥劑師 (Joek6 zai1 si1)

  • Relationship Banker: 銀行業務員 (Ngan4 hong4 jip6 mou6 jyun4)

  • Data Analyst: 數據分析師 (Sou3 geoi3 fan1 sik1 si1)

  • Designer: 設計師 (Cit3 gai3 si1)

  • Cantonese Teacher: 廣東話老師 (Gwong2 dung1 waa2 lou5 si1)

  • Engineer: 工程師 (Gung1 cing4 si1)

Naming Conventions for Teachers

• Male Teacher: Students call them 先生 (Sin1 saang1) or 阿sir (aa3 sir).

• Female Teacher: Students call them 搣時 (mit1 si4), originating from the English word "Miss".

Workplaces (gung1zok3 dei6 dim2)

• Police Station: 警察局 (Ging2 caat3 guk2)

• Hospital: 醫院 (Ji1 jyun2)

• Fire Station: 消防局 (Siu1 fong4 guk6)

• Company: 公司 (Gung1 si1)

• Accounting Firm: 會計師樓 (Wui6 gai3 si1 lau4)

• Law Firm: 律師樓 (Leot6 si1 lau4)

• Art Studio: 畫室 (Waak6 sat1)

• Kitchen: 廚房 (Cyu4 fong2)

• Home: 屋企 (Uk1 kei2)

• Pharmacy/Drugstore: 藥房 (Joek6 fong4)

• Bank: 銀行 (Ngan4 hong4)

• School: 學校 (Hok6 haau6)

• Construction Plant: 地盤 (Dei6 pun4)

• Office (e.g., Google Office): 辦公室 (Baan6 gung1 sat1)

• Tech Company: 科技公司 (Fo1 gei6 gung1 si1)

Sentence Structures and Grammar

• Telling Occupation: [Subject] + 係 (hai6) + [Occupation].

  • Example: I am a teacher — 我係老師 (Ngo5 hai6 lou5 si1).

  • Example: He is a clerk — 佢係文員 (Keoi5 hai6 man4 jyun4).

• Yes/No Occupation Inquiry: [Subject] + 係 (hai6) + 唔 (m4) + 係 (hai6) + [Occupation] + 呀 (aa3)?

  • Example: Are you a clerk? — 你係唔係文員呀？ (Nei5 hai6 m4 hai6 man4 jyun4 aa3?)

• Expressing Parallel Situations (Also/Too): [Subject X] + Predicate A. [Subject Y] + 都 (dou1) + [Predicate A].

  • Example: I am a doctor, too — 我都係醫生 (Ngo5 dou1 hai6 ji1 sang1).

• Expressing Workplace Location: [Subject] + 喺 (hai2) + [Place] + 做嘢/返工 (zou6 je5/faan1 gung1).

  • Example: I work in New York — 我喺紐約返工 (Ngo5 hai2 nau2 joek3 faan1 gung1).

  • Example: I work at home — 我喺屋企做嘢 (Ngo5 hai2 uk1 kei2 zou6 je5).

• Inquiring Workplace: Where do you work? — 你喺邊度返工呀？ (Nei5 hai2 bin1 dou6 faan1 gung1 aa3?) or 你喺邊度做嘢呀？ (Nei5 hai2 bin1 dou6 zou6 je5 aa3?)

• Inquiring School Location: Where is your school? — 你嘅學校喺邊度呀？ (Nei5 ge3 hok6 haau6 hai2 bin1 dou6 aa3?)

• Indicating Possession with 嘅 (ge3): [Possessor] + [嘅 (ge3)] + [Possessed].

  • My/Mine: 我嘅 (ngo5 ge3)

  • Your/Yours (singular): 你嘅 (nei5 ge3)

  • His/Her/Hers/Its: 佢嘅 (keoi5 ge3)

  • Our/Ours: 我哋嘅 (ngo5 dei6 ge3)

  • Your/Yours (plural): 你哋嘅 (nei5 dei6 ge3)

  • Their/Theirs: 佢哋嘅 (keoi5 dei6 ge3)

  • Whose: 邊個嘅 (bin1 go3 ge3)

• Grammatical Comparison (係 hai6 vs. 喺 hai2):

  • 係 (hai6): Used for identity or status (To be something). Example: Subject + 係 + Country + 人.

  • 喺 (hai2): Used for location (To be somewhere). Example: Subject + 喺 + [Place] + 嚟嘅.

Phonetic Training (Onset Practice with Dim Sum)

• Shrimp dumpling: h_aal gaau2 (蝦餃)

• BBQ pork buns: ___ caal siul baau1 (叉燒包)

• Chinese radish cake: Lo4 baak6 gou1 (蘿蔔糕)

• Deep-fried Dumplings: Haam4 seoi2 gok3 (鹹水角)

• Chicken feet: Fung6 zaau2 (鳳爪)

• Pork dumpling: siu1 maai2 (燒賣)

• Beef ball: ngau4 juk6 (牛肉)

• Pork chop: Paai4_gwat1 (排骨)

• Egg tart: Daan taat1 (蛋撻)

• Steamed creamy custard bun: Naai5 wong4 baau1 (奶黃包)