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LEARN CANTONESE 1 DIALOGUES AND VOCABULARY 广 by ELIZABETH LATIMORE BOYLE, PAULINE NG DELBRIDGE BRIAN KING HANYU PRESS TORONTO

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Dialogues and Vocabulary

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LEARN CANTONESE 1DIALOGUES AND VOCABULARY

广

话by

ELIZABETH LATIMORE BOYLE, PAULINE NG DELBRIDGEBRIAN KING

HANYU PRESSTORONTO

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 171 Second Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, California, 94105, USA.

Hanyu Press238-1170 Bay StToronto, ON M5S 2B4CANADA

http://www.hanyu.comisbn: 978-1-897367-19-3

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents1 Good Morning.........................................................................................................................................9

Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................11Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................13

dialogue 1.1.....................................................................................................................................13Good Morning, Mr Ho............................................................................................................... 13

dialogue 1.2.....................................................................................................................................14Good Morning, Mr Chan........................................................................................................... 14

dialogue 1.3.....................................................................................................................................14Good Morning, Miss Chan........................................................................................................ 14

dialogue 1.4.....................................................................................................................................15Good Morning, Miss Cheung.....................................................................................................15

dialogue 1.5.....................................................................................................................................15Good Morning, Mr Ho............................................................................................................... 15

dialogue 1.6.....................................................................................................................................16Good Morning, Mr Cheung....................................................................................................... 16

dialogue 1.7.....................................................................................................................................17Good Morning, Miss Chan........................................................................................................ 17

2 What's your name?................................................................................................................................ 19Vocabulary ..........................................................................................................................................21Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................24

dialogue 2.1.....................................................................................................................................24What's your name, miss? (polite)...............................................................................................24

dialogue 2.2.....................................................................................................................................24What's your name? (informal)....................................................................................................25

3 Do you speak Mandarin?.......................................................................................................................27Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................29Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................31

dialogue 3.1.....................................................................................................................................31Does Mr Lee speak Japanese?................................................................................................... 31

dialogue 3.2.....................................................................................................................................32Do you speak Mandarin?........................................................................................................... 32

dialogue 3.3.....................................................................................................................................33Who are you teaching Cantonese to?......................................................................................... 33

4 What time is it?..................................................................................................................................... 35Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................37Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................39

dialogue 4.1.....................................................................................................................................39Your watch is ten minutes slow................................................................................................. 39

dialogue 4.2.....................................................................................................................................40My watch is 5 minutes fast........................................................................................................ 40

dialogue 4.3.....................................................................................................................................40What time is it, Mr Wong?........................................................................................................ 40

5 What would you like to drink?............................................................................................................43Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................45Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................47

dialogue 5.1 ....................................................................................................................................47Tea or coffee?.............................................................................................................................47

dialogue 5.2.....................................................................................................................................48Have some tea. .......................................................................................................................... 48

dialogue 5.3.....................................................................................................................................49What time will you be having dinner, then?.............................................................................. 49

6 How much are the pants?...................................................................................................................... 51Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................53Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................55

dialogue 6.1.....................................................................................................................................55I'd like to buy some pants...........................................................................................................55

dialogue 6.2.....................................................................................................................................55Is this shirt $24?......................................................................................................................... 55

dialogue 6.3.....................................................................................................................................56This one is only $20................................................................................................................... 56

7 I'd like to buy some... ........................................................................................................................... 59Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................61Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................63

dialogue 7.1.....................................................................................................................................63I'd like to buy some beer............................................................................................................ 63

dialogue 7.2.....................................................................................................................................64How much is this cloth a yard?..................................................................................................64

dialogue 7.3.....................................................................................................................................64I'd like to buy some pork............................................................................................................64

8 What size do you take?......................................................................................................................... 67Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................69Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................71

dialogue 8.1.....................................................................................................................................71Is it for you?............................................................................................................................... 71

dialogue 8.2.....................................................................................................................................72Do you have anything cheaper? ................................................................................................ 72

dialogue 8.3.....................................................................................................................................73What size do you take? ............................................................................................................. 73

dialogue 8.4.....................................................................................................................................74I don't need that much! ..............................................................................................................74

9 Who would you like to speak to?..........................................................................................................77Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................79Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................81

dialogue 9.1.....................................................................................................................................81I'd like to speak to Mrs Ho......................................................................................................... 81

dialogue 9.2.....................................................................................................................................82I'm sorry, he's gone out...............................................................................................................82

dialogue 9.3.....................................................................................................................................83He's gone to the office................................................................................................................83

10 Talking about location.........................................................................................................................85Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................87Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................89

dialogue 10.1...................................................................................................................................89Is your office on the Hong Kong side?...................................................................................... 89

dialogue 10.2...................................................................................................................................90Where did you buy that sweater?............................................................................................... 90

dialogue 10.3...................................................................................................................................90Do you know where the Mandarin Hotel is?............................................................................. 90

11 Doing things for others........................................................................................................................93Vocabulary...........................................................................................................................................95Dialogues.............................................................................................................................................97

dialogue 11.1...................................................................................................................................97Just a moment - I'll go get some change. .................................................................................. 97

dialogue 11.2...................................................................................................................................98How would you like that? ......................................................................................................... 98

dialogue 11.3...................................................................................................................................99I'm really sorry...I forgot. ...........................................................................................................99

12 Talking about immediate plans ........................................................................................................ 101Vocabulary.........................................................................................................................................103Dialogues...........................................................................................................................................105

dialogue 12.1.................................................................................................................................105What's the problem? ..............................................................................................................105

dialogue 12.2.................................................................................................................................106Off home, then?....................................................................................................................... 106

dialogue 12.3.................................................................................................................................107I'm going shopping...................................................................................................................107

13 Going places......................................................................................................................................109Vocabulary.........................................................................................................................................111Dialogues...........................................................................................................................................113

dialogue 13.1.................................................................................................................................113Hey, isn't that your friend in that black car behind us?............................................................ 113

dialogue 13.2.................................................................................................................................114Who are you having Yam Cha with?....................................................................................... 114

dialogue 13.3.................................................................................................................................115Excuse me, is this Queen's Road Central?............................................................................... 115

dialogue 13.4.................................................................................................................................116524 Nathan Road, please. ........................................................................................................116

14 Eating at a restaurant......................................................................................................................... 119Vocabulary.........................................................................................................................................121Dialogues...........................................................................................................................................123

dialogue 14.1. ...............................................................................................................................123Miss Lee! So, where are you off to?........................................................................................ 123

dialogue 14.2. ...............................................................................................................................125What kind of soup would you like?......................................................................................... 125

dialogue 14.3. ...............................................................................................................................127What kind of food do you like to eat?......................................................................................127

dialogue 14.4.................................................................................................................................128It's nearly 12:30 - let's have lunch!...........................................................................................128

15 Asking directions.............................................................................................................................. 131

Vocabulary.........................................................................................................................................133Dialogues...........................................................................................................................................135

dialogue 15.1.................................................................................................................................135How do I get there?..................................................................................................................135

dialogue 15.2.................................................................................................................................136Which department does she work in? ..................................................................................... 136

dialogue 15.3.................................................................................................................................137Excuse me, is Mr Wong at home?........................................................................................... 137

dialogue 15.4.................................................................................................................................138Who's teaching you Cantonese these days?............................................................................. 138

GLOSSARY...........................................................................................................................................141CANTONESE - ENGLISH............................................................................................................... 143

1 Good Morning

LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

Vocabulary

1. a 呀 sentence suffix2. Chàhn 陳 Chan

3. Deuimhjyuh 對唔住 sorry4. haih 係 is, am, are, were, etc.5. Hòh 何 Ho (surname)6. hohksāang 學生 student7. Jèung 張 Cheung8. Joigin 再見 Goodbye9. Jóusàhn 早晨 Good morning

10. Làuh 劉 Láu11. Léih 李 Li12. Máh 馬 Ma13. mh- 唔 not

14. mhgányiu 唔緊要 That's all right; It doesn't matter; Never mind.

15. ngóh 我 I, me, my

16. Sàang 生 Mr.17. sīnsàang 先生 man (see notes); teacher18. Sīnsàang 先生 Mr. (see notes)19. sing 姓 have the surname20. síujé 小姐 unmarried woman; woman, lady21. Síujé 小姐 Miss22. Táai 太 Mrs.23. taaitáai 太太 married woman (see notes)24. Taaitáai 太太 Mrs. (see notes)

25. Wòhng 黃 Wong

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LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

Dialogues

dialogue 1.1

Good Morning, Mr Ho.

A: 何生, 早晨。

B: 李太, 早晨。

A: 對唔住, 我唔係李太。 我姓陳。

B: 呀, 對唔住, 陳小姐。

A: 唔緊要。

B: 再見。

A: 再見。

A: Hòh Sàang, jóusàhn.B: Léih Táai, jóusàhn.A: Deuimhjyuh, ngóh mhhaih Léih Táai. Ngóh sing Chàhn.B: A, deuimhjyuh, Chàhn Síujé.A: Mhgányiu.B: Joigin.A: Joigin.

A: Good morning, Mr Ho.B: Good morning, Mrs Lee.A: Excuse me, I'm not Mrs. Lee. My name is Chan.B: Oh, excuse me, Miss Chan.A: That's all right.B: Goodbye.A: Goodbye.

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LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

dialogue 1.2

Good Morning, Mr Chan.

A: 陳生, 早晨。

B: 對唔住, 我唔係陳生。 我姓張。

A: 呀, 對唔住 , 張生。

B: 唔緊要。

A: Chàhn Sàang, jóusàhn.B: Deuimhjyuh, ngóh mhhaih Chàhn Sàang. Ngóh sing Jèung.B: A, deuimhjyuh, Jèung Sàang.A: Mhgányiu.

A: Good morning, Mr Chan.B: Excuse me, I'm not Mr. Chan. My name is Cheung.B: Oh, excuse me, Mr Cheung.A: That's all right.

dialogue 1.3

Good Morning, Miss Chan.

A: 陳小姐, 早晨。

B: 對唔住, 我唔係陳小姐。 我姓黃。

A: 呀, 對唔住, 黃小姐。

B: 唔緊要。

A: Chàhn Síujé, jóusàhn.B: Deuimhjyuh, ngóh mhhaih Chàhn Síujé. Ngóh sing Wòhng .B: A, deuimhjyuh, Wòhng Síujé.

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LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

A: Mhgányiu.

A: Good morning, Miss Chan.B: Excuse me, I'm not Miss Chan. My name is Wong.B: Oh, excuse me, Miss Wong.A: That's all right.

dialogue 1.4

Good Morning, Miss Cheung.

A: 張小姐, 早晨。

B: 對唔住, 我唔係張小姐。 我姓李。

A: 呀, 對唔住, 李小姐。

B: 唔緊要。

A: Jèung Síujé jóusàhn.B: Deuimhjyu, ngóh mhhaih Jèung Síujé. Ngóh sing Léih.A: A, deuimhjyuh, Léih Síujé.B: Mhgányiu.

A: Good morning, Miss Cheung.B: Excuse me, I'm not Miss Cheung. My name is Lee.B: Oh, excuse me, Miss Lee.A: That's all right.

dialogue 1.5

Good Morning, Mr Ho.

A: 何生, 早晨。

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LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

B: 對唔住, 我唔係何生。 我姓黃。

A: 呀, 對唔住, 黃生。

B: 唔緊要。

A: Hòh Sàang jóusàhn.B: Deuimhjyuh, ngóh mhhaih Hòh Sàang. Ngóh sing Wòhng.A: A, deuimhjyuh, Wòhng Sàang.B: Mhgányiu.

A: Good morning, Mr Ho.B: Excuse me, I'm not Mr Ho. My name is Wong.B: Oh, excuse me, Mr Wong.A: That's all right.

dialogue 1.6

Good Morning, Mr Cheung.

A: 張生, 早晨。

B: 對唔住, 我唔係張生。 我姓李。

A: 呀, 對唔住, 李生。

B: 唔緊要。

A: Jèung Sàang jóusàhn.B: Deuimhjyuh, ngóh mhhaih Jèung Sàang. Ngóh sing Léih.A: A, deuimhjyuh, Léih Sàang.B: Mhgányiu.

A: Good morning, Mr Cheung.B: Excuse me, I'm not Mr Cheung. My name is Lee.B: Oh, excuse me, Mr Lee.A: That's all right.

16

LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

dialogue 1.7

Good Morning, Miss Chan.

A: 陳小姐, 早晨。

B: 對唔住, 我唔係陳小姐。 我姓劉。

A: 呀, 對唔住, 劉小姐。

B: 唔緊要。

A: Chàhn Síujé jóusàhn.B: Deuimhjyuh, ngóh mhhaih Chàhn Síujé. Ngóh sing Làuh.A: A, deuimhjyuh, Làuh Síujé.B: Mhgányiu.

A: Good morning, Miss Chan。B: Excuse me, I'm not Miss Chan. My name is Lau.B: Oh, excuse me, Miss Lau.A: That's all right.

17

2 What's your name?

LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

Vocabulary

1. Sīnsàang 先生 Mr.2. gwaising? 貴姓 What's your (sur)name? (polite)3. a 呀 final particle4. Ngóh sing Wòhng 我姓黃 My (sur)name is Wong5. Wòhng Síujé 黃小姐 Miss Wong6. nē? 呢 final particle roughly equiv. to "and

what about?". Also used to soften a question.

7. Sīnsàang nē? 先生呢 And you, sir?8. síusing 小姓 My (sur)name is...(polite)9. síusing Làuh 小姓 劉 My (sur)name is Lau10. Làuh Sàang 劉生 Mr. Lau11. mātyéh?/mēyéh?/ 乜嘢 What?

mīyéh? 12. sing mīyéh a? 姓乜嘢呀 What's (your, his etc)

(sur)name (informal)13. pàhngyáuh 朋友 friend14. néih 你 you15. néih pàhngyáuh 你朋友 your friend16. néih pàhngyáuh 你朋友姓乜嘢? What's your friend's name?

sing mīyéh? 17. Máh 馬 Ma (surname)18. sing Máh 姓馬 to have the surname Ma19. ge 嘅 grammatical focus marker similar to

Mandarin "de" 的20. sing Máh ge 姓馬嘅 to be (sur)named Ma21. kéuih 佢 he22. kéuih sing Máh ge 佢姓馬嘅 he is named Ma23. Gwóngdùng 廣東 Guangdong (Canton)

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LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

24. yàhn 人 man, person 25. Gwóngdùngyàhn 廣東人 Cantonese (person)26. haih mhhaih ya? 係唔係 isn't it?27. kéuih haih mhhaih 佢係唔係廣東人呢 Is he Cantonese?

Gwóngdùngyàhn nē?28. Seuhnghói 上海 Shanghai29. Seuhnghóiyàhn 上海人 Shanghainese (person)30. mhhaih ya, kéuih 唔係佢係上海人 No, he's Shanghainese

haih Seuhnghóiyàhn31. gám 咁 so; then32. gám, néih nē? 咁, 你呢? so, how about you?33. dōu 都 too; also 34. dōu haih Seuhnghóiyàhn 係上海人 to be a Shanghainese too35. ngóh dōu haih 我都係上海人 I'm Shanghainese too

Seuhnghóiyàhn36. Jùnggwokyàhn 中國人 Chinese (person)37. Méihgwokyàhn 美國人 American (person) 38. ngóhdeih 我哋 we 39. kéuihdeih 佢哋 they 40. néihdeih 你哋 you (plur) 41. Tòihsāanyàhn 台山人 Taishanese (person) 42. Yahtbúnyàhn 日本人 Japanese (person) 43. Yìnggwokyàhn 英國人 English (person) 44. hohksāang 學生 student 45. sīnsāang 先生 teacher

22

LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

Dialogues

dialogue 2.1

What's your name, miss? (polite)

Man : 小姐貴姓呀?Woman: 我姓陳。 先生貴姓呀? Man : 小姓何。 陳小姐係唔係廣東人呀?Woman: 唔係呀。我係上海人。 你呢? 你係唔係美國人呀?Man : 係呀。我係美國人。

Man : Síujé gwaising a?Woman: Ngóh sing Chàhn. Sīnsàang gwaising a?Man : Síusing Hòh. Chàhn síujé haih mhhaih Gwóngdùngyàhn a?Woman: Mhhaih a. Ngóh haih Seuhnghóiyàhn. Néih nē?

Néih haih mhhaih Méihgwokyàhn a? Man : Haih a. Ngóh haih Méihgwokyàhn.

Man: What's your name, Miss?Woman: Chan. And yours, Sir?Man: Ho. Are you from Guangdong?Woman: No, I'm from Shanghai. How about you?

Are you American?Man: Yes, I am.

dialogue 2.2

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LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

What's your name? (informal)

S1: 你姓乜嘢呀? S2: 我姓黃。

S1: 你朋友呢? S2: 佢都係姓黃嘅。

S1: 你係唔係廣東人呀?S2: 係。

S1: 你朋友係唔係都係廣東人呀?S2: 唔係呀。 佢係上海人。

S1: Néih sing mēyéh a?S2: Ngóh sing Wòhng.S1: Néih pàhngyáuh nē?S2: Kéuih dōu haih sing Wòhng ge.S1: Néih haih mhhaih Gwóngdùngyàhn a?S2: Haih.S1: Néih pàhngyáuh haih mhhaih dōu haih Gwóngdùngyàhn a?S2: ̀hhaih a. Kéuih haih Seuhnghóiyàhn.

S1: So, what's your name?S2: Wong.S1: And your friend?S2: His name's Wong, too.S1: Are you from Guangdong?S2: Yes.S1: Is your friend from Guangdong, too?S2: No, he's from Shanghai.

25

3 Do you speak Mandarin?

LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

Vocabulary

1. bīngo 邊個 who?2. chi 次 time, occasion3. chìngchó 清楚 clear4. daahnhaih 但係 but5. dī 啲 a little, some6. dím? 點 how?7. dōu 都 both8. gaau 教 teach9. ga/ge/g 㗎 sen. suf. for matter of fact assertion10. geui 句 sentence11. góng 講 speak12. Gwokyúh 國語 Mandarin spoken language13. Gwóngdùngwá 廣東話 Cantonese spoken language14. hohk 學 study, learn15. jē 啫 sen. suf. only, merely; that's all16. jì(dou) 知道 know (something)17. joi 再 again18. joi góng yātchi 再講一次 Say it again.19. Jùngmàhn 中文 Chinese (written) language20. mē 咩 particle indicating surprise21. mhgòi néih 唔該你 Please..., Would you please....22. ńgh 五 five23. sàam 三 three24. sé 寫 write25. sèsíu 些少 a little26. sei 四 four27. Seuhnghóiwá 上海話 Shanghainese (spoken language)28. séung 想 wish to, want to, would like to

29

LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

29. sīk 識 to know someone30. sīk 識 know how (to do something)31. tèng 聽 hear, listen32. Tòihsāanwá 台山話 Toishan dialect33. tùhng 同 and (connects nouns)34. wá 話 spoken language, dialect35. Yahtbúnwá 日本話 Japanese (spoken) language36. Yahtmán 日文 Japanese (written) language37. Yahtmàhn 日文 Japanese (written) language38. yāt 一 one39. yāt chi 一次 once [onetime]40. yauh 又 also (connects Verb Phrases)41. yauh V, yauh V. P Adv: 又 ...又 both..., and ....42. yih 二 two43. Yìngmàhn 英文 English language44. Yìngmán 英文 English language

30

LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

Dialogues

dialogue 3.1

Does Mr Lee speak Japanese?

A: 李生識係識講日本話呀?

B: 識些少。

A: 咁, 佢識係識講英文嘅呢?

B: 都識些少。

A: 邊個教佢講英文呢?

B. 係黃生教佢嘅。

A: Léih Sàang sīk mhsīk góng Yahtbúnwá a? B: Sīk sèsíu.A: Gám, kéuih sīk mhsīk góng Yìngmán nē? B: Dōu sīk sèsíu.A: Bīngo gaau kéuih góng Yìngmán ge nē? B: Haih Wòhng Sàang gaau kéuih ge.

A: Does Mr Lee speak Japanese?B: A little.A: Does he speak English, then?B: He speaks a little English, too.A: Who taught him English?B: Mr Wong.

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LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

dialogue 3.2

Do you speak Mandarin?

A: 你識唔識講國語呀?

B: 對唔住。我聽唔清楚。 唔該你再講一次。

A: 你識唔識講國語呀?

B: 識些少啫。

A: 咁,你識唔識英文呢?

B: 識講唔識寫。你呢?

A: 我都唔識。"一,二,三", 都唔識講。

A: Néih sīk mhsīk góng Gwokyúh a?B: Deuimhjyuh. Ngóh tèng mhchìngchó mhgòi néih joi góng

yātchi.A: Néih sīk mhsīk góng Gwokyúh a?B: Sīk sèsíu jē.A: Gám, néih sīk mhsīk Yīngmàhn nē?B: Sīk góng, mhsīk sé. Néih nē?A: Ngóh dōu mhsīk. "Yāt yih sàam" dōu mhsīk góng.

A: Do you speak Mandarin?B: Sorry. I didn't get that. Can you repeat it, please?A: Do you speak Mandarin?B: Just a little.A: Do you speak English, then?B: I can speak it, but I can't write. How about you?A: I don't know any English at all. I can't even say "one, two, three".

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LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

dialogue 3.3

Who are you teaching Cantonese to?

A: 你教邊個學廣東話呀?B: 我教黃太。

A: 佢係唔係美國人

B: 唔係呀。佢係英國人。

A: 佢識唔識寫中文呢?B: 唔識。 佢學講,但係唔學寫。

A: 佢學唔學國語呢?B: 我唔知道呀。

A: Néih gaau bīngo hohk Gwóngdùngwá a?B: Ngóh gaau Wòhng Táai.A: Keui haih mhhaih Méihgwokyàhn ne? B: Mhhaih a. Kéuih haih Yìnggwokyàhn. A: Kéuih sīk mhsīk sé Jùngmàhn nē?B: Mhsīk.. Kéuih hohk góng, daahnhaih mh hohk sé. A: Kéuih hohk mhhohk Gwokyúh nē? B: Ngóh mh jìdou a.

A: Who do you teach Cantonese to?B: I teach Mrs Wong.A: Is she American?B: No, she's British.A: Can she write Chinese?B: No. She's just learning to speak, not write.A: Is she learning Mandarin?B: I don't know.

33

4 What time is it?

LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

Vocabulary

1. āamāam 啱啱 exactly2. baat 八 eight3. bīu 錶 watch

4. bo 噃 sen. suf. for certainty5. bun 半 half6. chàmhhdō 差唔多 approximately7. chāt 七 seven8 daahp 搭 tread on9. daahp bun 搭半 half past10. daahp géi? 搭幾 how many five minutes past the

hour?11. dāk meih? 得未 ready?12. dáng 等 wait (for)13. dím(jūng) 點鐘 o'clock14. faai 快 fast15. fānjūng 分鐘 minute(s)16. gáu 九 nine17. géi 幾 several18. géi? 幾 which number?19. géidím(jūng) 幾點鐘 What o'clock? What time?20. go 個 measure for nouns21. gwāt 骨 quarter (hour)22. hóu 好 OK. All right23. jéun 準 accurate, right24. jìh 字 written figure; word25. lā 啦 sen. suf. la for change + raised doubt.26. lā 啦 sen. suf. for polite suggestion27. la 啦 sen. suf. indicating change from

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condition28. léuhng 兩 two29. luhk 六 six30. maahn 慢 slow31. meih 未 not yet32. mhhóu yisi 唔好意思 I'm sorry; It's embarassing.33. ngāamngāam (var: āamāam) 啱啱 exactly 34. sàam go gwāt 三 three quarters after the hour35. sahp 十 ten36. sahpyāt 十一 eleven37. sahpyih 十二 twelve38. tìm 添 in addition, also, more39. wá 話 interrogative sen. suf. calling for

repeat of preceding sentence, i.e., did you say?

40. waahkjé 或者 maybe; or41. yāt go gwāt 一個 a quarter after the hour42. yāt go jìh 一個字 five minutes43. yìhgā 而家 now

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Dialogues

dialogue 4.1

Your watch is ten minutes slow.

Man: 我個錶慢些少。你個係唔係呀? Woman: 唔係。我個係準嘅。

Man: 咁, 而家幾點鐘呀?Woman: 而家啱啱十二點。

Man: 我個錶而家係十一點 搭十。

Woman: 咁, 你個慢兩個字。

Man: Ngóh go bīu maahn sèsíu. Néih go haih mhhaih a? Woman: hhaih. Ngóh go haih jéun ge.Man: Gám, yìhgā géidímjūng a?Woman: Yìhgā ngāamngāam sahpyih dím.Man: Ngóh go bīu yìhgā haih sahpyāt dím daahp sahp.Woman: Gám, néih go maahn léuhnggojìh.

Man: My watch is a bit slow. How about yours?Woman: Mine's right.Man: So, what time is it?Woman: It's 12 'o'clock right on the dot.Man: My watch says ten to twelve.Woman: Yours is ten minutes slow, then.

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dialogue 4.2

My watch is 5 minutes fast.

Woman: 而家係唔係八點三個骨呀?Man: 唔係。我個錶而家係八點搭八啫。

Woman: 你個錶準唔準呀?Man: 準。唔快唔慢。

Woman: 咁, 我個快一個字。

Man: 或者係。

Woman: Yìhgā haih mhhaih baat dím sàamgo gwāt a?Man: hhaih. Ngóh go bīu yìhgā haih baat dím daahp baat jē.Woman: Néih go bīu jéun mhjéun a?Man: Jéun. hfaai mhmaahn.Woman: Gám, ngóh go faai yāt go jìh.Man: Waahkjé haih.

Woman: Is it 8:45 right now?Man: No. My watch says it's only 8:40.Woman: Is your watch right?Man: Yes. It's neither fast or slow.Woman: Mine's five minutes fast, then.Man: Maybe it is.

dialogue 4.3

What time is it, Mr Wong?

Woman: 早晨, 黃生。你知唔知而家幾點鐘呀?Man: 呀, 早晨, 陳小姐。 我個錶而家係九點搭一。

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Woman: 你個錶係唔係快些少呀?Man: 或者係。我唔知。

Woman: 你知唔知李太幾點鐘學廣東話呀?Man: 我知道。係十點半。

Woman: Jóusàhn, Wòhng Sàang. Néih jì mhjì yìhgā géidímjūng a?Man: A, jóusàhn, Chàhn Síujé. Ngóh go bīu yìhgā haih gáu dím daahp yāt.Woman: Néih go bīu haih mhhaih faai sèsíu a?Man: Waahkjé haih. Ngóh mhjì.Woman: Néih jì mhjì Léih Táai géidímjūng hohk Gwóngdùngwá a?Man: Ngóh jìdou. Haih sahp dím bun.

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5 What would you like to drink?

LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

Vocabulary

1. aak 呃 sen. suf. a to soften abruptness + k for liveliness

2. Aiya! 哎呀 exclamation of consternation3. bējáu 啤酒 beer4. béng 餅 cake5. cháang 橙 orange6. chàh 茶 tea7. chèuihbín 隋便 As you wish, At your convenience8. chèuihbín chóh lā. 隋便坐啦 "sit anywhere you like."9. chóh 坐 sit10. faahn 飯 rice (cooked)11. gafē 咖啡 coffee12. gam 咁 so, such13. haakhei 客氣 polite14. háh 吓 Verb suffix for casual effect15. heiséui 汽水 soft drink16. Hóu aak 好呃 OK. Agreed. Response indicating

agreement.17. jànhaih 真係 really, indeed18. jáu 酒 alcoholic beverage19. jáu 走 leave, depart20. jīu 蕉 banana21. jyúyàhn 主人 host, hostess22. -k a glottal stop ending to certain sentence

suffixes, giving sentence a lively air.

23. la 啦 sen. suf. indicating potential change24. laak 嘞 sen. suf. la (change) + sen. suf. -k

(liveliness)

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25. léh 咧 sen. suf. for definiteness26. mhgòi 唔該 Thank you (for service)27. mhhóu 唔好 don't (as a command)28. mhhóu haakhei 唔好客氣 "Don't be polite."29. mhsái 唔使 no need to, not necessary30. mhsái la 唔使啦 No thanks (when offered something) [not

necessary now]31. mhsái mhgòi. 唔使唔該 "No thanks." (to an offer)32. mhsái haakhei 唔使客氣 You're welcome, [not necessary] Polite

response when someone thanks you for doing him a service [don't need to be polite.]"You're welcome." (when someone thanks you.)

33. ngàuhnaaih 牛奶 milk34. pìhnggwó 蘋果 apple35. séui 水 water36. si 試 try37. siháh 試吓 give it a try38. sihk 食 eat39. sihk yīn 食煙 to smoke40. Síu sihk 少食 "I don't smoke." non-smoker's response in

refusing a cigarette, [seldom-smoke]41. yàhnhaak 人客 guest42. yám 飲 drink43. yīn 煙 tobacco; smoke44. yiu 要 must, need, have to

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Dialogues

dialogue 5.1

Tea or coffee?

A: 你飲乜嘢呀?

B: 我飲咖啡。你呢?

A: 我飲茶。食唔食餅呀?

B: 好呃。

A: 你幾點鐘要走呀?

B: 四點。

A: 真係咁快要走咩?

B: 係呀, 真係。

A: Néih yám mēyéh a?B: Ngóh yám gafē. Néih nē?A: Ngóh yám chàh. Sihk mhsihk béng a?B: Hóu aak.A: Néih géidímjūng yiu jáu a?B: Sei dím.A: Jànhaih gam faai yiu jáu mē?B: Haih a, jànhaih.

A: What would you like to drink?B: I'll have a coffee. How about you?A: I'm having tea. Do you want a pastry?B: Sounds good.A: What time do you have to leave?B: At 4.A: You really have to go so soon?

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B: Yes, I'm afraid so.

dialogue 5.2

Have some tea.

Hostess: 飲茶啦。

Guest: 好,唔該。

Hostess: 食餅啦。

Guest: 好呃, 唔該。

Hostess: 食煙啦。

Guest: 少食。唔使客氣。

Hostess: 你客氣啫。

Hostess: Yám chàh lā.Guest: Hóu, mhgòi.Hostess: Sihk béng lā.Guest: Hóu aak, mhgòi.Hostess: Sihk yīn lā.Guest: Síu sihk. hsái haakhei.Hostess: Néih haakhei jē .

Hostess: Have some tea.Guest: Ok, thanks.Hostess: Have a pastry.Guest: Thanks a lot.Hostess: Have a cigarette.Guest: I don't smoke. Thanks anyway.Hostess: You're welcome.

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dialogue 5.3

What time will you be having dinner, then?

Mrs. Wong: 我同黃生三點半要飲茶。

Servant : 食唔食餅呀?

Mrs. Wong: 些少啦。

Servant : 咁, 幾點鐘食飯呀?

Mrs. Wong: 八點啦。

Servant: 好呃。

Mrs. Wong: I'm having tea with Mrs. Wong at 3:30.Servant: Are you having pastries?Mrs. Wong: A few.Servant: What time will you be having dinner, then?Mrs. Wong: At 8.Servant: Fine.

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6 How much are the pants?

LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

Vocabulary

1. bá 把 M. for things with handles, such as umbrellas

2. bāt 筆 writing implement; pen or pencil3. béi 俾 give4. chín 錢 money5. dáifu 底 underpants, undershorts6. dáikwàhn 底裙 slip, petticoat7. deui 對 pair; group measure for shoes, socks,

chopsticks8. fu 褲 trousers9. gau 夠 enough10. géi(dō) 幾多 how much? how many?11. gihn 件 for clothes12. gó 嗰 that13. go 個 general M. for nouns14. guhaak 顧客 customer (restricted use)15. hàaih 鞋 shoes16. jē 遮 umbrella17. jì 支 M. for pen, pencil, bottles18. jūng 鐘 clock19. kwàhn 裙 skirt20. máaih 買 buy21. maaht 襪 socks 22. mān 蚊 dollar23. mhjì(dou)... 唔知道...呀? I wonder...?24. nī 呢 this25. sauhfoyùhn 售貨員 Salesclerk [sellgoodspersonnel]

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26. sēutsāam 裇衫 shirt27. sīnsàang 先生 man28. síujé 小姐 lady, woman29. táai 呔 tie30. tìuh 條 M. for trousers, ties, roads31. wái 位 polite M. for persons32. yàhn 人 person33. yiu 要 + money expression V: wants X amount,

costs X amount, (i.e the asking price is X amount.)

34. yúhlāu 雨褸 raincoat35. yùhnbāt 鉛筆 pencil36. yùhnjíbāt 原子筆 ball point pen

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Dialogues

dialogue 6.1

I'd like to buy some pants.

Clerk: 早晨, 想買乜嘢呀?Customer: 我想買條褲。呢兩條要幾多錢呀?Clerk: 呢條十八蚊, 嗰條廿二蚊。

Customer: 咁, 我買呢條啦。

Clerk: Jóusàhn, séung máaih mēyéh a? Customer: Ngó séung máaih tìuh fu. Nī léuhng tìuh yiu géidò chín a? Clerk: Nī tìuh sahpbaat mān, gó tìuh yahyih mān. Customer: Gám, ngóh máaih nī tìuh lā.

Clerk: Good morning. How may I help you?Customer: I'd like to buy some pants. How much are these two pairs?Clerk: These are 18 dollars, and those are 22 dollars.Customer: Ok, I'll buy these, then.

dialogue 6.2

Is this shirt $24?

Customer: 呢件裇衫係唔係廿四蚊呀?Clerk: 唔係。係廿九蚊。

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LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

Customer: 嗰件都係廿九蚊, 係唔係呢?Clerk: 係。你係唔係兩件都買呢?Customer: 唔係。我買呢件, 唔買嗰件。

Customer: Nī gihn sēutsāam haihmhhaih yahsei mān a?Clerk: hhaih. Haih yahgáu mān.Customer: Gó gihn dōu haih yahgáu mān, haih mhhaih nē?Clerk: Haih. Néih haih mhhaih léuhng gihn dōu máaih nē?Customer: hhaih. Ngóh máaih nī gihn, mhmáaih gó gihn.

Customer: Is this shirt 24 dollars?Clerk: No, it's 19 dollars.Customer: That one's 19 dollars, as well, right?Clerk: Right. Do you want both, then?Customer: No, I just want this one.

dialogue 6.3

This one is only $20.

Clerk: 買乜嘢呀?

Customer: 我想買裇衫。呢件幾多錢呀?

Clerk: 呢件十二蚊啫。買幾多件呢?

Customer: 俾一件我啦。

Clerk: Máaih mēyéh a?Customer: Ngóh séung máaih sēutsāam. Nī gihn géidò chín a? Clerk: Nī gihn sahpyih mān jē. Máaih géidò gihn nē? Customer: Béi yāt gihn ngóh lā.

Clerk: How can I help you?Customer: I want to buy a shirt. How much is that one?

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Clerk: This one's only 12 dollars. How many would you like?Customer: Give me one, please.

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7 I'd like to buy some...

LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

Vocabulary

1. bàau 包 package, M. for cigarette pack2. bohng 磅 pound3. bou 布 cloth4. bún 本 M. for book5. bun 半 half6. dī 啲 some, the7. gāi 雞 chicken8. gàn 斤 catty, unit of weight ca 1 1/3 lb9. gó dī 嗰啲 those (in reference to unit nouns); that

(in reference to mass nouns)10. haih...làih ge 係...嚟嘅 is..(grammatical structure giving

emphasis to enclosed noun)11. hòuh(jí) 毫子 dime12. jek 隻 M. for chicken, shoe, sock, ship.13. jì 支 M. for cigarette14. jyùyuhk 豬肉 pork15. ...làih ge 嚟嘅 see: haih...làih ge16. maaih 賣 sell17. máh 碼 yard (in length)18. ngàhnchín 銀錢 money [silver money]19. ngàuhyuhk 牛肉 beef20. nī dī 呢啲 these (in reference to unit nouns) this (in

reference to mass nouns)21. ngoi 愛 var. of oi, want, want to have22. oi 愛 want, want to have, want to possess23. syù 書 book24. tòhng 糖 sugar25. yātyeuhng 一樣 same

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26. yīnjái 煙仔 cigarette27. yú 魚 fish

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Dialogues

dialogue 7.1

I'd like to buy some beer.

Clerk: 買乜呀﹖

Customer: 我想買啤酒。幾多錢支呀﹖

Clerk: 個八銀錢。愛幾多支呀﹖

Customer: 愛兩支。

Clerk: 使唔使買煙仔呀﹖

Customer: 好。俾包我啦﹗

Fógei: Máaih mēyéh a?Customer: Ngóh séung máaih bējáu. Géidò chín jì a?Fógei: Go baat ngàhnchin. Oi géidò jì a?Customer: Oi léuhng jì.Fógei: Sái mhsái máaih yīnjái a?Customer: Hóu, béi bāau ngóh lā!

Clerk: How can I help you?Customer: I'd like some beer. How much is it a bottle?Clerk: $1.80. How many would you like?Customer: Two, please.Clerk: Would you like some cigarettes, as well?Customer: Ok, give me a pack, then.

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dialogue 7.2

How much is this cloth a yard?

Clerk: 呢啲布幾多錢碼呀?

Clerk: 廿三個半。你要幾多碼呀﹖

Customer: 我唔要嘞。嗰啲呢?幾多錢碼呀?

Clerk: 嗰啲十三個半銀錢碼呀。你買唔買呀?Customer: 好。我愛兩碼。

Clerk: 廿七蚊兩碼啦。

Customer: Nī dī bou géidò chín máh a?Clerk: Yahsàam go bun. Néih yiu géidò máh a?Customer: Ngóh mhyiu laak. Gó dī nē? Géidò chín máh a?Clerk: Gó dī sahpsàam go bun ngàhnchin máh a? Néih máaih mhmáaih a?Customer: Hóu. Ngóh oi léuhng máh.Clerk: Yahchāt mān léuhng máh lā.

dialogue 7.3

I'd like to buy some pork.

Clerk: 買乜呀﹖

Customer: 我想買啲豬肉.點賣

Clerk: 呢啲四個八銀錢斤。

Customer: 俾三斤嗰啲我。

Clerk: 三斤廿二個半。

Customer: 我都想愛兩斤呢啲。

Clerk: 好呃。九個六銀錢啦。

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Clerk: Máaih mēyéh a?Customer: Ngóh séuhng máaih dī jyùyuhk. Dím maaih nē?Clerk: Nī dī sei go baat ngàhnchín gàn. Gó dī chāt go bun ngàhnchín gàn.Customer: Béi sàam gàn gó dī ngóh lā.Clerk: Sàam gàn yahyih go bun.Customer: Ngóh dōu séung oi léuhng gàn nī dī.Clerk: Hóu aak, gáu go luhk ngàhn chín lā.

Clerk: How may I help you?Customer: I'd like to buy some pork. How much is it?Clerk: This is $4.80 a catty. That is $7.50 a catty.Customer: I'll take 3 catties of that.Clerk: That'll be $22.50Customer: I'd like 2 catties of this, too.Clerk: Ok, that'll be $9.60.

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8 What size do you take?

LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

Vocabulary

1. āamjeuk 啱着 fits well, wellfitting 2. àh 呀 sen. suf. with force of "I suppose" 3. baahk 白 white 4. bīn? 邊 which? 5. chèuhng 長 long (in length) 6. chèuhngsāam 長衫 cheongsāam 7. dā 打 dozen 8. daaih 大 large 9. daaihdī 大啲 a little larger 10. dáisāam 底衫 underwear 11. dī 啲 attaches to adjectives to mean "a little

Adj; somewhat adj; Adj—er".12. dò 多 much, many 13. dyún 短 short 14. fut 闊 wide 15. gauh 舊 old (not new) 16. ge 嘅 one(s) = (noun substitute) 17. géi 幾 rather, quite 18. gwai 貴 expensive 19. hāak 黑 black 20. hóu 好 very 21. hóu 好 good 22. Hóu mhhóu a? 好唔好呀? OK? Is (that) all right? 23. houh 號 number 24. hóusihk 好食 good to eat; tasty 25. hóuyám 好飲 good to drink; tasty 26. jaak 窄 narrow 27. jeuk 着 wear; put on (clothes) 28. júng 種 type

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29. jùngyi 鐘意 like, prefer; like to 30. lāangsāam 冷衫 sweater 31. leng 靚 pretty; goodlooking; good, nice (for

foods) 32. Máaihsaai laak 買嗮嘞 All sold out. 33. mhhaih géi 唔係幾 not very..., not... 34. mhhaih hóu 唔係好 not very 35. móuh 冇 not have, there isn't (aren't) 36. ngāamjeuk (var. āamjeuk) 啱着 well fitting (for clothes), fits

well 37. pèhng 平 cheap 38. saai 嗮 completely 39. sài 細 small 40. sàn 新 new 41. sīk 色 colour 42. wah 話 say, opine 43. yáuh 有 have, there is (are)

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Dialogues

dialogue 8.1

Is it for you?

Clerk: 早晨。想買乜呀?

Customer: 有冇白裇衫呀?

Clerk: 係唔係你著㗎?

Customer: 係。

Clerk: 你著幾多號呀?

Customer: 三十六, 或者三十八。

Clerk: 呢件係三十六。

Customer: 呢件唔夠大。有冇三十八嘅呢?

Clerk: 對唔住 - 三十八嘅賣嘞。

Customer: Yáuh móuh baahk seutsāam a? Clerk: Haih mhhaih néih jeuk ga?Customer: Haih.Clerk: Néih jeuk géidò houh a?Customer: Sàamsahpluhk, waakjé sàamsahpbaat.Clerk: Nī gihn haih sàamsahpluhk.Customer: Nī gihn mh gau daaih. Yáuh móuh sàamsahpbaat ge nē?Clerk: Deuimhjuh - sàamsahpbaat ge maaihsaai laak.

Customer: Do you have any white shirts? Clerk: Is it for you?Customer: Yes.Clerk: What size do you take?Customer: 36 or 38.Clerk: This one is 36.

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Customer: This is too small. Do you have a 38?Clerk: Sorry - the 38 is sold out.

dialogue 8.2

Do you have anything cheaper?

Customer: 有冇白鞋買呀?Clerk: 有。你鐘唔鐘意呢對呢?Customer: 幾靚呀。幾多錢對呀?Clerk: 呢對係美國鞋。七十九蚊對。

Customer: 有冇平啲嘅呢?Clerk: 有。嗰對係日本鞋。五蚊對。

Customer: 唔該你俾對日本我啦。

Clerk: 好呃.

Customer: Yáuh móuh baahk hàaih maaih a?Clerk: Yáuh. Néih jùng mhjùngyi nī deui nē?Customer: Géi leng. Géi(dò) chín deui a?Clerk: Nī deui haih Méihgwok hàaih. Chāt'ahgáu mān deui.Customer: Yáuh móuh pèhngdī ge nē?Clerk: Yáuh. Gó deui haih Yahtbún hàaih. Yahńgh mān deui jē.Customer: Mhgòi néih béi deui Yahtbún ge ngóh lā.Clerk: Hóu aak.

Customer: Do you have any white shoes?Clerk: Yes. What do you think of these?Customer: Really nice. How much are they?

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Clerk: These are from the US. They're $79.00.Customer: Do you have anything cheaper?Clerk: These are from Japan. They're only $25.00.Customer: I'll take a pair of the Japanese ones, then.Clerk: Ok.

dialogue 8.3

What size do you take?

Customer: 有冇襪呀﹖

Clerk: 有。你鐘唔鐘意呢﹖

Customer: 幾鐘意。點賣呀﹖

Clerk: 六個半銀錢對。你著幾號呀﹖

Customer: 我著六號美國鞋。

Clerk: 九號啦。你想買幾多對呀﹖

Customer: 俾三對我啦。

Clerk: 好呃。愛唔愛鞋呢﹖

Customer: 唔愛嘞。唔該。

Customer: Yáuh móuh maht a?Clerk: Yáuh. Nī dī néih jùng mhjùngyi nē?Customer: Géi jùngyi. Dím maaih a?Clerk: Luhk go bun ngàhnchin deui. Néih jeuk géi houh a?Customer: Mhji - Ngóh jeuk luhk houh ge Méihgwok hàaih.Clerk: Gám, gáu houh lā. Néih séung máaih géidò deui a?Customer: Béi sàam deui ngóh lā.Clerk: Hóu aak. Oi mhoi hàaih nē?Customer: Mhoi laak. Mhgòi.

Customer: Do you have any socks?

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Clerk: Sure. How about these?Customer: Not bad. How much are they?Clerk: $6.50. What size do you take?Customer: I don't know. I wear a US size 6 shoe. Clerk: Well, that'll be a 9. How many pairs do you want?Customer: Give me three pairs.Clerk: Ok. Do you need any shoes?Customer: No thanks.

dialogue 8.4

I don't need that much!

Customer: 有冇糖賣呀﹖

Clerk: 有。買幾多磅呢﹖ 五磅夠唔夠呀﹖

Customer: 唔使咁多。兩磅夠嘞. 我想愛牛肉﹐ 點賣呀﹖

Clerk: 四個八銀錢斤。

Customer: 俾一斤我啦。

Clerk: 好。

Customer: Yáuh móuh tòhng maaih a?Clerk: Yáuh. Máaih géidò bohng nē? Ńgh bohng gau mhgau a?Customer: Mhsái gam dò. Léuhng bohng gau laak. A!

Ngóh séung oi ngàuhyuhk, dím maaih a?Clerk: Sei go baat ngàhnchín gàn.Customer: Béi yāt gàn ngóh lā.Clerk: Hóu.

Customer: Do you sell sugar?Clerk: Sure. How much do you need? Is 5 pounds enough?

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Customer: I don't need that much! Two pounds will do. Oh, I want some beef. How much is it?

Clerk: $4.80 a catty.Customer: I'll take one catty.Clerk: Ok.

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9 Who would you like to speak to?

LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

Vocabulary

1. aan (var: ngaan) 晏 noon, midday 2. chēut gāai 出街 go out (from one's own house) 3. cho 錯 mistake, make a mistake 4. Daaihsèngdī 大聲啲 Speak louder! 5. dáng yātján (also dáng yātjahn) 等一陣 wait awhile 6. Daap cho sin! 搭錯線 Wrong number! [caught mistake line] 7. dá 打 hit 8. dá dihnwá 打電話 make a telephone call 9. dáng 等 wait 10. dáng 等 allow, let Person do something; wait

while Person does something. 11. dihnwá 電話 telephone 12. dím bun 點半 1:30 o'clock 13. fàan 返 return (to/from a place you habitually go

to) 14. fàan gùng 返工 go [return] to work 15. fàan hohk 返學 go to school 16. fàanlàih 返嚟 come back, return (here) 17. fàan (ng)ūkkéi 返屋企 go [return] home 18. gamseuhnghá 咁上下 approximately 19. ge 嘅 mark of the possessive, joins with

preceding personal noun (or pronoun) to form possessive.

20. géidō houh? 幾多號 what number? 21. géisí? or géisìh? 幾時 when? 22. giu 叫 instruct, tell, order, call 23. góng Person jì 講知 tell someone 24. góng Person tèng 講聽 tell someone 25. gùngyàhn 工人 servant, laborer

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26. heui gāai 去街 go out (from one's own house) 27. jó 咗 verb suf. indicating accomplishment of

the action 28. joi dálàih 再打嚟 call back (on the phone) 29. lèhng 零 "and a little bit" in a number phrase 30. líhng 零 zero 31. ló 攞 fetch, to go get (something) 32. ngaan 晏 noon, midday 33. ngūkkéi or ūkkéi 屋企 home 34. sih 事 business, affair, matter 35. sihk (ng)aan 食晏 eat lunch 36. sìn 先 first 37. sin 線 line, thread 38. tèng 聽 hear, listen to 39. tèng dihnwá 聽電話 talk [listen] on the telephone 40. ūkkéi or ngūkkei 屋企 home 41. wah ngóh jì 話我知 tell me 42. wah yàhn tèng 話人聽 tell someone 43. wah yàhn jì 話人知 tell someone 44. wán 搵 look for, search 45. wán yàhn 搵人 look someone up

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Dialogues

dialogue 9.1

I'd like to speak to Mrs Ho.

Amah: 喂。

Mr. Wong: 係唔係七三零四五零呀﹖

Amah: 唔該你大聲啲。我聽唔清楚。

Mr. Wong: 七三零四五零。係唔係呀﹖

Amah: 係。邊呀?

Mr. Wong: 唔該你叫何太聽電話啦。

Amah: 好。等一陣。

Mrs. Ho: 喂。

Mr. Wong: 何太, 早晨。

Mrs. Ho: 早晨。

Mr. Wong: 我係黃生呀。你知唔知陳先生電話幾多號呀﹖

Mrs. Ho: 啊。知。佢電話係五四三二一零。

Mr. Wong: 好。唔該。

Mrs. Ho: 唔使唔該。

Amah: Wéi.Caller: Haih mhhaih chāt-sàam-lìhng-sei-ńgh-lìhng a?Amah: Mhgòi néih daaihsēngdī. Ngóh tèng mhchìngchó.Caller: Chāt-sàam-lìhng-sei-ńgh-lìhng, haih mhhaih a?Amah: Haih. Wán bīngo a?Caller: Mhgòi néih giu Hòh Táai tèng dihnwá lā.Amah: Hóu. Dáng (yāt)ján.Mrs. Ho: Wéi.Caller: Hòh Táai, jóusàhn.

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Mrs. Ho: Jóusàhn.Caller: Ngóh haih wòhng Sàang a. Néih jì mhjì Chàhn Sīnsáang ge dihnwá

géidò houh a?Mrs. Ho: A! Jì. Kéuih ge dihnwá haih ńgh sei sàam yih yāt lìhng.Caller: Hóu, mhgòi.Mrs. Ho: Mhsái mhgòi.

Amah: Hello.Caller: Is this 7-3-0-4-5-0?Amah: Can you speak up. I can't hear.Caller: Is that 7-3-0-4-5-0?Amah: Yes. Who would you like to speak to?Caller: Mrs Ho, please.Amah: Ok. Just a minute.Mrs. Ho: Hello.Caller: Good morning, Mrs Ho.Mrs. Ho: Good morning.Caller: This is Mr Wong. Do you know Mr Chan's number?Mrs. Ho: Sure. His number is 543210.Caller : Ok, thanks.Mrs. Ho: You're welcome.

dialogue 9.2

I'm sorry, he's gone out.

Secretary: 喂。

Caller: 喂。係唔係三八六零五九呀﹖

Secretary: 係。搵邊位呢﹖

Caller: 我想搵李生聽電話。

Secretary: 對唔住嘞。佢出咗街噃。

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Caller : 咁,佢幾點鐘返嚟呢?

Secretary: 兩點零鐘咁上吓啦。

Caller : 好。唔該你。

Secretary: 唔使唔該。

Secretary: Wái.Caller : Wái. Haih mhhai sàam baat luhk lìhng ńgh gáu a?Secretary: Haih. Wán bīnwái nē?Caller : Ngóh séung wán Léih Sàang tèng dihnwá.Secretary: Deuimhjyuh laak. Kéuih chēutjó gāai bo.Caller : Gám, kéuih géidímjūng fàanlàih nē?Secretary: Léuhng dím lèhng jùng gamseuhnghá lā.Caller : Hóu. Mhgòi néih.Secretary: Mhsái mhgòi.

Secretary: HelloCaller: Hello. Is this 386059?Secretary: Yes, who would you like to speak to?Caller: Mr Lee.Secretary: I'm sorry, but he's out of the office right now.Caller: So when will he be back, then?Secretary: Around 2:00.Caller: Ok, thanks.Secretary: You're welcome.

dialogue 9.3

He's gone to the office.

Amah: 喂. 搵邊個呀?

Caller: 喂. 唔該你叫陳先生聽電話啦。

Amah: 佢返咗工噃. 貴姓搵佢呀?

Caller: 姓何嘅. 佢幾時返嚟呢?

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Amah: 唔知噃.

Caller: 等佢返嚟唔該你叫佢打電話俾我啦. 我嘅電話係...

Amah : 唔該你等一陣; 我攞支筆先. 喂, 你電話係...

Caller: 七一一二零七.

Amah: 好啦. 佢返咗嚟, 我叫佢打俾你啦.

Amah: Wái. Wán bīngo a?Caller: Wái. Mhgòi néih giu Chàhn Sīnsàang tèng dihnwá lā.Amah: Kéuih fàanjó gùng bo. Gwaising wán kéuih a?Caller: Sing Hòh ge. Kéuih géisìh fàanlàih nē?Amah: Mhjì bo.Caller: Dáng kéuih fàanlàih mhgòi néih giu kéuih dá dihnwá béi ngóh lā. Ngóh

dihnwá haih....Amah : Mhgòi néih dáng yātján; ngóh ló jì bāt sin. Wéi, néih ge dihnwá haih....Caller: Chāt-yāt-yāt-yih-lìhng-chāt.Amah: Hóu lā. Kéuih fàanlàih, ngóh giu kéuih dá béi néih lā.

Amah: Hello. Who would you like to speak to?Caller: Hello. Mr Chan, please.Amah: He has gone to work. May I ask who's calling, please?Caller: My name's Ho. What time will he be back?Amah: I don't know.Caller: When he comes back can you tell him to call me. My number is...Amah : Just a minute. I'll get a pen. Ok, your number is...Caller: 7-1-1-2-0-7.Amah: Ok. When he comes back, I'll tell him to call you.

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10 Talking about location

LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

Vocabulary

1. bīnbihn? 邊便 which side?2. bihn 邊(便) side3. bīndouh? 邊喥 where?4. búndeihyàhn 本地人 a native of the place under discussion5. chāansāt 餐室 western style restaurant6. chàhlàuh 茶樓 Cantonese style teahouse7. chē 車 vehicle: car, bus, or tram8. chē jaahm 車站 car stop (bus or tram stop)9. chéng mahn 請問 "May I ask...?"10. Daaih Douh Jùng 大道中 Queen's Road Central11. Dākfuh Douh Jùng 德輔道中 Des Voeux Road Central12. deuimihn 對面 opposite side13. dóu 到 verb suffix indicating successful

accomplishment of the action of the verb.

14. gàan 間 M. for buildings15. gaaklèih 隔籬 next door16. gódouh 嗰喥 there17. gó bihn 嗰便(邊) over there, on that side18. gūngsī 公司 department store; office (of a commercial

company)19. hái 喺 location verb, translated as: is in/at/on20. Hèunggóng 香港 Hong Kong21. jaahm 站 station, stop (as train station, bus stop)22. jáudim 酒店 hotel23. jógán 左近 nearby, hereabouts24. Jùngwàahn 中環 Central District25. lóchín 攞錢 withdraw money (from bank)26. máhtàuh 碼頭 pier

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27. Màhnwàh Jáudim 文華酒店 Mandarin Hotel28. mahn 問 ask29. Méihgwok Jáudim 美國酒店 American Hotel,

(in HK, the Hong Kong Hilton)30. Méihgwok Ngàhnhòhng 美國銀行 Bank of America31. mùhnháu 門口 doorway32. Nē! 呢 "there!" an exclamation used when

pointing out something to someone33 nībihn 呢便(邊) this side34. nīdouh 呢喥 here35 nījógán 呢左近 closeby, hereabouts36. ngàhnhòhng 銀行 bank37. ngūk (or ūk) 屋 house38. séjihlàuh 寫字樓 office39. táimhdóu 睇唔到 can't see40. táidóu 睇到 see [look successfully]41. táimhtáidóu? 睇唔睇到 can you see?42. tái syù 睇書 read (a book)43. Tīnsīng Máhtàuh 天星碼頭 Star Ferry Pier44. tòuhsyùgwún 圖書館 library45. ūk (var: ngūk) 屋 house46. yàhnhaak 人客 tourist

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Dialogues

dialogue 10.1

Is your office on the Hong Kong side?

A: 你寫字樓喺唔喺香港呢邊呀﹖

B: 係。喺大道中。

A: 嗰喥左近有冇好個茶樓呀﹖

B: 有。我寫字樓隔離有間好好。我好鐘意喺嗰喥飲茶。

A: 我寫字樓左近嘅茶樓都唔係幾好, 但係有間幾好嘅餐室。我鐘

意嗰喥食晏。

A: Néih séjihlàuh hái mhhái Hèunggóng nī bihn a?B: Hái. Hái Daaih Douh Jùng.A: Gódouh jógán yáuh móuh hóu ge chàhlàuh a?B: Yáuh. Ngóh séjihlàuh gaaklèih yáuh gàan hóu hóu ga.

Ngóh hóu jùngyi hái gódouh yám chàh ga.A: Ngóh séjihlàuh jógán ge chàhlàuh dōu mhhai géi hóu, daahnhaih yáuh

gàan géi hóu ge chāansāt. Ngóh jùngyi hái gódouh sihk ngaan.

A: Is your office over here in Hong Kong? [as opposed to Kowloon etc]B: Yes. It's on Queen's Road Central.A: Are there any good restaurants [Chinese-style] around there?B: Yes. There's a really good one right across from my office. I really like

to go there for yam cha.A: There's one near my office, but it's not too good. There's a fairly good

Western-style restaurant there where I like to eat lunch.

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dialogue 10.2

Where did you buy that sweater?

Mrs. Ho: 你件冷衫好靚。喺邊喥買㗎。

Miss Wong: 喺中環一間公司買嘅。

Mrs. Ho: 喺邊間呢?

Miss Wong: 喺我寫字樓隔離嗰間。

Mrs. Ho: 係唔系喺車站對面呀?

Mrs. Ho: Néih gihn lāangsāam hóu leng. Hái bīndouh máaih ga?Miss Wong: Hái Jùngwàahn yāt gàan gūngsī máaih ge.Mrs. Ho: Bīn gàan nē?Miss Wong: Hái ngóh séjihlàuh gaaklèih gó gàan.Mrs. Ho: Haih mhhaih hái chèjaahm deuimihn a?Miss Wong: Haih. Haih gó gàan.

Mrs. Ho: That's a nice sweater. Where did you buy it?Miss Wong: At a store in Central.Mrs Ho: Which store?Miss Wong: It's just across from my office.Mrs Ho: Is it the one opposite the bus station?Miss Wong: Yes. That's the one.

dialogue 10.3

Do you know where the Mandarin Hotel is?

Léih Sàang: 喂。

Hòh Sàang: 李生呀?

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Léih Sàang: 係呀。邊位呀?

Hòh Sàang: 我係何日先呀。你知唔知美國酒店喺邊喥呀?

有個朋友一陣三點等我。佢話我知美國酒店喺上海銀行隔離,

但係我搵唔到。

Léih Sàang: 美國酒店唔係喺上海銀行隔離。喺中國銀行對面。你知唔知中

國銀行喺邊喥呀?

Hòh Sàang: 哦。咁,我知嘞。唔該嗮。再見。

Léih Sàang: Wái.Hòh Sàang: Léih Sàang àh.Léih Sàang: Haih a, bīn wái a?Hòh Sàang: Ngóh haih Hòh Yaht-sīn a. Néih jì mhjì Méihgwok Jáudim

hái bīndouh a? Yáuh go pàhngyáuh yātján sàam dím hái gódouh dáng ngóh. Kéuih wah ngóh jì Méihgwok Jáudim hái Seuhnghói Ngàhnhòhng gaaklèih, daahnhaih ngóh wán mhdóu.

Léih Sàang: Méihgwok Jáudim mhhaih hái Seuhnghói Ngàhnhòhng gaaklèih. Hái Jùnggwok Ngàhnhòhng deuimihn. Néih jì mhjì Jùnggwok Ngàhnhòhng hái bīndouh a?

Hòh Sàang: O. Gám, ngóh jì laak. Mhgòisaai. Joigin.

Léih Sàang: Hello.Hòh Sàang: Is that Mr Lee?Léih Sàang: Yes, who's speaking?Hòh Sàang: This is Yat Sin Ho. Do you know where the Mandarin Hotel is?

There's a friend who's supposed to meet me there at 3 'o'clockHe told me the Hilton was next to the Shanghai Bank, but I can't find it.

Léih Sàang: Méihgwok Jáudim mhhai hái Seuhnghói Ngàhnhòhng gaaklèih. Hái Jùnggwok Ngàhnhòhng deuimihn. Néih jì mhjì Jùnggwok Ngàhnhòhng hái bīndouh a?

Hòh Sàang: Oh, I know now. Thanks. Bye.

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11 Doing things for others

LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

Vocabulary

1. agō 阿哥 elder brother2. baak 百 hundred3. cheung 暢 change money into smaller

denomination4. cheunghōi 暢開 split, break up large banknote or coin to

exchange for ones of lesser denomination.

5. chīn 千 thousand6. daai 帶 carry7. daai...heui 帶去 take...along8. daai...lai 帶...嚟 bring...along9. dāk 得 all right, OK, will do10. dāk 得 in yáuhdāk .;. = available, can11. dāk... 得 only have ...12. fu 副 M. for eyeglasses13. géidò 幾多 quite a lot14. hái douh 喺喥 (he, she, it, etc.) is here; is at (this) place15. hóudò 好多 a lot16. hóusíu 好少 very little17. jáau 找 give change18. jáaufàan 找返 V: give back change19. je 借 lend, borrow20. jejyuh 借 lend or borrow temporarily21. jèung 張 M. for banknotes22. jí 紙 banknote; paper23. jyuh 住 temporarily, for a short time24. mhgeidāk 唔記得 forget (not remember)25. mhginjó 唔見咗 lose, lost; "nowhere to be seen"26. móuhdāk 冇得 not have available for V-ing

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27. móuhgéidò 冇幾多 not much, not many

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Dialogues

dialogue 11.1

Just a moment - I'll go get some change.

Clerk: 四支啤酒六支汽水﹐十個橙。。。十三個二啦。

Customer: 嗱, 呢喥一百蚊。

Clerk: 好﹐等我找返俾你啦。哎呀﹐對唔住唔夠散紙添。你有冇散紙

呀? Customer: 我都冇噃。

Clerk: 咁, 唔該你等陣, 我搵人暢開佢啦.

Customer: 好啦。

Clerk: 呢喥找返八十六個八俾你。

Customer: 你有冇一蚊銀呀?

Clerk: 有﹐你想要幾多呢?

Customer: 唔該你暢十蚊我啦。

Clerk: 好。

Customer: 唔該嗮。

Clerk: Sei jì bejáu, luhk jì heiséui, sahp go cháang...sahpsàam go yih lā.Customer: Nàh, nīdouh yāt baak mān.Clerk: Hóu, dáng ngóh jáaufàan béi néih lā. Aiya, deuimhjyuh, mhgau sáanjí

tìm. Néih yáuh móuh sáanjì a?Customer: Ngóh dōu móuh bo.Clerk: Gám, mhgòi néih dáng jahn, ngóh wán yàhn cheunghòi kéuih lā.Customer: Hóu lā.Clerk: Nīdouh jáaufàan baatsahpluhk go baat béi néih.Customer: Néih yáuh móuh yāt mān ngán a?Clerk: Yáuh, néih séung yiu géidò nē?

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Customer: Mhgòi néih cheung sahp mān ngóh lā.Clerk: Hóu.Customer: Mhgòisaai.

Clerk: Four beers, six pop, ten oranges...that'll be $13.20.Customer: Here's $100.Clerk: Ok, let me get your change. Darn, sorry, I don't have enough change.

Do you have anything smaller?Customer: No, I'm afraid not.Clerk: Well, hang on a minute and I'll go get some change.Customer: Ok.Clerk: Here's your $86.80 change.Customer: Do you have any dollar coins?Clerk: Sure, how many do you need?Customer: Can you give me ten?Clerk: Ok.Customer: Thanks.

dialogue 11.2

How would you like that?

Mr. Wòhng: 唔該你同我暢開佢啦!

Teller: 暢開幾多呀? 係唔係愛嗮十蚊紙呀?

Mr. Wòhng: 唔係。愛四張一百蚊紙十張十蚊。

Teller: 唔夠十蚊紙噃。愛九張十蚊紙﹐十個一蚊銀, 好唔好﹖

Mr. Wòhng: 好﹐愛啲散銀都好。

Mr. Wòhng: Mhgòi néih tùhng ngóh cheunghòi kéuih lā!Teller: Cheung géidò a? Haih mhhaih ngoisaai sahp mān jì a?

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Mr. Wòhng: Mhhaih. Oi sei jèung yāt baak mān jí, sahp jèung sahp mān.Teller: Mhgau sahp mān jí bo. Oi gáu jèung sahp mān jí, sahp go yāt mān ngán,

hóu mhhóu a?Mr. Wòhng: Hóu, oi dī sáangán dōu hóu.

Mr. Wòhng: I'd like to change this.Teller: How would you like it? Do you want all tens?Mr. Wòhng: No. I'd like four $100 bills and ten tens.Teller: It looks like I don't have enough tens. I can give you nine tens and ten

one dollar coins. How about that?Mr. Wòhng: That's fine. I don't mind some coins.

dialogue 11.3

I'm really sorry...I forgot.

A: 你今日唔記得帶嗰本書返來俾我呀﹖

B: 哎呀﹗唔記得添﹗ 真係對唔住嘞。你幾時要用呀﹖

A: 我等陣要㗎。一陣我學英文冇書睇唔得嘅噃!

B: 咁, 我而家返屋企攞俾你啦.A: 要返屋企攞呀﹖ 唔好嘞。你知唔知呢喥邊個有呢本書可以接住

俾我先㗎?B: 啊﹗陳生都用嗰本書學英文﹐等我叫佢接俾你啦。

A: 好呃﹗唔該嗮。

A: Néih gàmyaht mhgeidāk daai gó bún syù fàanlàih béi ngóh a?B: Aiya! Mhgeidāk tìm! Jànhaih deuimhjyuh laak! Néih géisìh (géisi) yiu

yuhng a?A: Ngóh dáng jahn yiu ga. Yātján ngóh hohk Yìngmán móuh syù tái.

Mhdāk ge bo!

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B: Gám, ngóh yìhgā fàan ūkkéi ló béi néih lā.A: Yiu fàan ūkkéi ló àh. Mhhóu laak. Néih jì mhjì nīdouh bīngo yáuh

nī bún syù hóyíh jejyuh béi ngóh sìn ga?B: A! Chàhn Sàang dōu yuhng gó bún syù hohk Yìngmán, dáng ngóh giu

kéuih je béi néih lā.A: Hóu aak! Mhgòisaai.

A: You didn't remember to bring that book back today by any chance, did you?

B: Oh, darn! No, I didn't. I'm really sorry. When do you need it?A: I need it pretty soon. It'll be a real pain if I have to go to English class

without a book!B: Well, I'll go home and get it for you.A: No need to do that!. Do you know somebody who has a copy they can

lend me? B: Oh, yeah! Mr Chan uses that book for his English class. Let me ask him

to lend it to you.A: Great! Thanks.

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12 Talking about immediate plans

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Vocabulary

1. bàhbā 爸爸 father2. chìhnbihn 前便(邊) front (front side)3. chìngchó 清楚 clear, vivid, clearly4. daai 帶 take/bring (someone/something) along5. douh 道 road, restricted to use following named

road6. gà 架 M. for vehicle7. gàn 跟 follow, come behind8. gànjyuh 跟住 follow, come behind9. Gáulùhng 九龍 Kowloon10. hauhbihn 後便(邊) back (back side); behind11. heui 去 go12. hohkhaauh 學校 school13. houh 號 number14. jái 仔 son15. jáinéui 仔女 children (of a family), sons and

daughters16. jìp 接 meet, fetch, pick up (a person)17. jouh 做 do, work18. jouh sāam 做衫 make clothes, have clothes made19. jouh sih 做事 to work, have a job20. jyuh 住 live21. làih 嚟 come22. láu 樓 floor, storey of a building23. màhmā 媽媽 mother24. Móuh cho 冇錯 That's right.25. nàahmpàhngyáuh 男朋友 boyfriend26. Nèihdēun Douh 彌敦道 Nathan Road27. néui 女 daughter

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28. néuihpàhngyáuh 女朋友 girlfriend29. sih 事 piece of business, affair, matter30. sīnsàang 先生 husband31. sung 送 deliver32. taaitáai 太太 wife; married woman33. taam 探 to visit34. tái yīsāng 睇醫生 see the doctor35. tùhng 同 with36. yéh 嘢 things, stuff37. yīsāng 醫生 doctor

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Dialogues

dialogue 12.1

What's the problem?

Mrs Wong: 李太﹐同個女去邊呀?Mrs Li: 我帶佢睇醫生呀。

Mrs Wong: 乜嘢事呀?Mrs Li: 佢唔想食飯咯。

Mrs Wong: 你帶佢去睇邊個醫生呀?Mrs Li: 我先生叫我帶佢睇張醫生。佢係我哋個朋友。

Mrs Wong: 邊個張醫生呀? 係唔係上海銀行嗰個呀?Mrs Li: 冇錯。係佢嘞。

Mrs Wong: 咁, 我送你哋去。我啱啱要去銀行錢。

Mrs Li: 好呃。唔該嗮。

Wòhng Táai: A, Léih Táai, tùhng gó néui heui bīn a?Léih Táai : Ngóh daai kéuih heui tái yīsāng a.Wòhng Táai: Mēyéh sih a?Léih Táai: Kéuih mhséung sihk faahn lòh.Wòhng Táai: Néih daai kéuih heui tái bīngo yīsāng a?Léih Táai : Ngóh sīnsàang giu ngóh daai kéuih tái Jèung Yīsāng. Kéuih haih

ngóhdeih ge pàhngyáuh.Wòhng Táai: Bīngo Jèung Yīsāng a? Haih mhhaih Seuhnghói Ngàhnhòhng gó go a?Léih Táai: Móuh cho, haih kéuih laak.Wòhng Táai: Gám, ngóh sung néihdeih heui lā. Ngóh ngāamngāam yiu heui

ngàhnhòhng ló chin.Léih Táai: Hóu aak. Mhgòisaai bo.

Mrs Wong: Hello, Mrs Li! So, where are you off to with your daughter?

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Léih Táai: I'm taking her to the doctor.Mrs Wong: What's up?Léih Táai: She doesn't feel like eating.Mrs Wong: Which doctor are you taking her to?Léih Táai: My husband told me to take her to see Dr Cheung. He's a friend of ours.Mrs Wong: Which Dr Cheung? Is it the one by the Shanghai Bank?Léih Táai: Right! That's the one.Mrs Wong: Well, I'll take you there. I'm just off to the bank.Léih Táai: Ok. Thanks a lot.

dialogue 12.2

Off home, then?

A: 係唔係返屋企呀?

B: 唔係 - 我而家要去我女朋友屋企探佢媽媽. A: 佢媽媽有乜嘢事呀?

B: 冇乜嘢事。佢叫我去佢哋喥食飯咧。

A: 哦—佢哋住喺邊呀?

B: 佢哋啱啱住你後邊。

A: 係咩? 咁, 我送你去。

B: 唔該嗮。

A: Néih haih mhhaih fàan ūkkéi a?B: Mhhaih - ngóh yìhgā yiu heui ngóh néuipàhngyáuh ūkkéi taam kéuih

màhmā. A: Kéuih màhmā yáuh mēyéh sih a?B: Móuh mēyéh sih. Kéuih giu ngóh heui kéuihdeih douh sihk faahn lē.A: O—kéuihdeih jyuh hái bīn a?B: Kéuihdeih ngāamngāam jyuh hái néih hauhbihn.

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A: Haih mē? Gám, ngóh sung néih heui lā.B: Mhgòisaai.

A: Going home?B: No, I'm off to my girlfriend's to visit her mother? A: What's wrong with her mother?B: Nothing. She invited me over for dinner..A: Oh, where do they live?B: Just behind where you live.A: Really? I'll take you there, then.B: Thanks.

dialogue 12.3

I'm going shopping...

Wong Táai : 我一陣要去公司買。你有冇錢呀?

Wong Sàang: 我得些少喳。 我啱啱想去銀行攞錢。你幾點出街呀?

Wong Táai : 哼...我要等何太電話。

Wong Sàang: 咁...我而家去銀行攞錢先。你一陣來我寫字樓攞錢﹐好唔好呀

Wong Táai : 好! 呀﹐ 你有冇嘢要買呀?

Wong Sàang: 冇嘞。

Wong Táai : Ngóh yātján yiu heui gūngsī máaih yéh. Néih yáuh móuh chín a?

Wong Sàang: Ngóh dāk sèsíu ja. Ngóh ngāamngāam séung heui ngàhnhòhng ló chín. Néih géidímjung chēutgāai a?

Wong Táai : Hmmm...Ngóh yiu dáng Hòh Táai dihnwá bo.Wong Sàang: Gám...Ngóh yihgā heui ngàhnhòhng ló chín sin. Néih yātján làih ngóh

séjihlàuh ló chín, hóu mhhóu a?

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Wong Táai : Hóu! ...A, ...néih yáuh móuh yéh yiu máaih a?Wong Sàang: Móuh laak.

Miss Chan: I'm going shopping in a while. Do you have any money?Mr. Wong: Not much. I'm planning to go to the bank. When are you going out?Miss Chan: Not sure. I'm waiting for Mrs Ho to call.Mr. Wong Well, I'll go to the bank first and then you can come to my office and

get some money. Ok?Miss Chan: Ok. Do you need me to get you anything?Mr. Wong: No. That's ok.

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13 Going places

LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

Vocabulary

1. daaphaak 搭客 passenger2. diuhtàuh 調頭 turn (a car) around [reverse head]3. dou 到 arrive4. fàanjyun tàuh 返轉頭 turn (the car) around and go back [return

turn head] Make a U-turn.5. gāai 街 street6. giu(jouh) 叫做 is called, is named7. gwaisingmìhng? 貴姓名 what is your surname and given name?

(polite)8. gwo 過 pass by (a point); cross (a street); go

over to (a place)9. gwodī 過啲 beyond; a little farther on10. Gwodītìm 過啲添 Go further on; Keep going (said to taxi

driver)11. hàahng 行 go; walk; drive12. hóyíh 可以 can, as (1) be permitted, allowed to; (2)

be willing to13. jà chē 揸車 to drive a car14. jauh 就 immediately, soon; as clause connector

= then; and15. jihk 直 straight16. jó 左 left (direction)17. jóbihn 左便(邊) left side18. jósáubihn 左手便(邊) lefthand side19. jyun 轉 turn20. la 啦 as sen. suf. to imperative

sentence, gives connotation of friendly advice

21. méng 名 name; given name

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22. paak chē 泊車 park a car23. tanhauh 蹆後 back (a car) up, move back24. tìhng 停 stop25. wái 位 place, seat26. Wíhngōn Gūngsī 永安公司 Wing On Department Store27. yahp 入 enter28. yahpbihn 入便(邊) inside29. yahpheui 入去 go in; enter30. yātjihk 一直 straight

a) direction b) without being diverted: straight

31. yauh 右 right (direction)32. yauhbihn 右便(邊) right side33. yauhsáubihn 右手便(邊) right hand side

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Dialogues

dialogue 13.1

Hey, isn't that your friend in that black car behind us?

A: 喺黑色嗰架車後邊嗰個人係唔係你朋友呀?B: 係噃! 唔該你返轉頭啦。我有啲嘢想話佢知嘅。

A: 好呃。佢係唔係姓張㗎?B: 唔係, 佢姓陳嘅。

A: 佢叫做乜嘢名呀?B: 佢叫做國華。

A: 陳國華...哼...咁, 唔係嘞。

B: 唔係乜嘢呀?A: 佢唔係李小姐嘅男朋友嘞。

A: Hái hāak sīk gó gà chē hauhbihn gó go yàhn haih mhhaih néih pàhngyáuh a?

B: Haih bo! Mhgòi néih fàanjyuntàuh lā. Ngóh yáuh dī yéh séung wah kéuih jì ge.

A: Hóu aak. Kéuih haih mhhaih sing Jèung gà?B: Mhhaih, kéuih sing Chàhn ge.A: Kéuih giujouh mēyéh méng a?B: Kéuih giujouh Gwokwàh.A: Chàhn Gwokwàh...Hmm...Gám, mhhaih laak.B: Mhhaih mēyéh a?A: Kéuih mhhaih Léih Síujé ge nàahmpàhngyáuh laak.

A: Hey! Isn't that guy in the black car behind us your friend?B: Hey, it is! Do a U-turn I've got something to tell him.A: Ok. Is his last name Cheung?B: No, it's Chan.

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A: What's his first name?B: Kwok Wah.A: Kwok Wah Chan...Hmm...So it's not.B: Not what?A: It's not Miss Li's boyfriend.

dialogue 13.2

Who are you having Yam Cha with?

黃太: 喂!

小英: 喂, 媽媽呀? 我係小英呀。我而家喺

文化酒店飲茶。你嚟唔嚟呀?

黃太: 你同邊個飲茶呀?

小英: 我同何美華。呢喥啲餅好靚。

你嚟啦。

黃太: 你有朋友喺喥, 我唔嚟啦。

小英: 嚟啦, 媽媽, 我想你一陣同我

去買嘢呀。

黃太: 咁呀, 使唔使我揸車嚟呀?

小英: 呢左近好少位泊車嘅噃。 你叫的士嚟啦。

黃太: 好啦, 我就嚟嘞。

Wòhng Táai: Wei!Siu Yīng: Wei, màhmā àh? Ngóh hàih SíuYīng a. Ngóh yìhgā hái Màhnwàh

Jáudim yám chàh. Néih làih mhlàih a?Wòhng Táai: Néih tùhng bīngo yám chàh a?Siu Yīng: Ngóh tùhng Hòh Méi Wàh. Nīdouh dī béng hóu leng gà.

Néih làih lā.Wòhng Táai: Néih yáuh pàhngyáuh hái douh, ngóh mhlàih la.Síu Yīng: Làih lā, màhmā, ngóh séung néih yātján tùhng ngóh heui máaih yéh a.Wòhng Táai: Gám áh, sài mhsái ngóh jà chē làih ā?Síu Yīng: Nījógán hóu siu wái paak chē ge bo. Néih giu dīksí làih lā.

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Wòhng Táai: Hóu lā, ngóh jauh làih laak.

Mrs Wong: Hello?Siu Ying: Hello, Mom? It's me, Siu Ying. I'm having yamcha at the Màhnwàh

Hotel. Are you coming?Mrs Wong: Who are you with?Siu Ying: I'm with Mei Wah Ho. The pastries are great here. Come and join us!Mrs Wong: You're with your friend. Never mind.Siu Ying: Come on, Mom. I want to go shopping with you later.Mrs Wong: Shall I drive over, then?Siu Ying: There aren't too many parking spaces around here. You'd better take a

cab.Mrs Wong: Ok. I'm on my way.

dialogue 13.3

Excuse me, is this Queen's Road Central?

A: 請問呢條係唔係大道中呀?B: 唔係, 你喺呢喥一直去, 行到第三個街口嗰條就係嘞。

A: 哦, 唔該。

(He goes on...)A: 請問, 大道中五百零四號喺唔喺呢左近呀?

C: 五百零四號呀。呢,前邊右手邊第三間就係嘞。

A: 嗰喥有冇位泊車?

C: 好似冇噃。

A: 好。唔該嗮。

A: Chéng mahn nī tìuh haih mhhaih Daaih Douh Jùng a?B: Mhhaih, néih hái nīdouh yātjihk heui, háahng dou daih sàam go gàaiháu

gó tìuh jauh haih laak.

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A: O, mhgòi.(He goes on...)A: Chéng mahn, Daaih Douh Jùng ńgh baak lìhng sei houh hái mhhái

nījógán a?C: Ńgh baak lìhng sei houh àh. Nē, chìhnbihn yauhsáubihn daih sàam gàan

jauh haih laak.A: Gó douh yáuh móuh wái paak chē gà?C: Hóu chìh móuh bo.A: Hóu. Mhgòisaai.

A: Excuse me, but is this street Queen's Road Central?B: No. Just go another 3 blocks and you'll see it right there.A: Oh, thanks.(He goes on)A: Excuse me, is 504 Queen's Road Central around here?C: 504, eh? Yes, it's the third building over there on the right.A: Is there any parking there?C: Looks like there isn't.A: Ok, thanks.

dialogue 13.4

524 Nathan Road, please.

A: 唔該彌敦道, 五百二十四號。

B: 好。

(They ride for awhile)A: 過咗第二 個街口右邊,停車啦。嗨! 過咗

啦, 唔該你蹆後些少啦。

B: 哦, 唔得噃, 後邊有車嚟, 唔可以蹆後。

A: 咁, 再駛過啲, 返轉頭啦。

B: 得。

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(The driver makes a U-turn at the intersection and goes back)A: 好。喺喥停。

(He pays the driver $3 for the $2.70 ride)唔使找啦。

B: 多謝。

A: Mhgòi Nèih Dèun Douh, ńgh baak yihsahp sei houh.B: Hóu.(They ride for awhile)A: Gwojó daih yih go gàaiháu yauhbihn, tìhng chē lā. Ei! Gwojó

la, mhgòi néih tanhauh sèsiu lā.B: O, mhdāk bo, hauhbihn yáuh chē làih, mhhóyih tanhauh.A: Gám, joi sài gwodī, fàanjyuntàuh lā.B: Dāk.(The driver makes a U-turn at the intersection and goes back)A: Hóu. Hái douh tìhng.(He pays the driver $3 for the $2.70 ride)

Mhsài jáau la.B: Dòjeh.

A: 524 Nathan Road, please.B: Ok.(They ride for awhile)A: Just past the second street on the right. Whoops! You went past it. Just

back up a bit, can you? B: No, I can't. There's a car coming up behind.A: Well, go on a bit and turn round, then.B: Ok.(The driver makes a U-turn at the intersection and goes back)A: Ok. Stop here.(He pays the driver $3 for the $2.70 ride)

Keep the change.

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B: Thanks.

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14 Eating at a restaurant

LEARN CANTONESE 学广东话

Vocabulary

1. baahk faahn 白飯 boiled or steamed rice 2. bātgwo 不過 however; but; although3. būi 杯 cup, glass4. bùi 杯 M. for cup, glass5. cháau 炒 to sautee or toss fry in small amt of oil,

as in scrambling eggs.6. cháau faahn 炒飯 fried rice7. cháau mihn 炒麵 fried noodles8. choi 菜 food; a particular food, a dish9. choipáai 菜 menu, bill of fare10. dím 點 to order (food)11. dò 多 additional, as modifier in Noun

phrase12. dōdī 多啲 more (in addition) (follows V)13. Dòjeh 多謝 Thank you. (for a gift)14. Dòjehsaai. 多謝嗮 Thank you very much.15. dōuhaih 都係 always, really16. faaijí 筷子 chopsticks17. fógei 伙計 waiter in restaurant18. gaaisiuh 介紹 recommend; introduce19. gāng 羹 spoon20. gwo 過 indicates experience; to have done

something before21. Gwóngdùng choi 廣東菜 Cantonese food22. hā 蝦 shrimp23. Hóu ma? 好嗎 Is that OK?24. jáugā 酒家 Chinese style restaurant25. jek 隻 M. for spoon26. jouh yéh 做嘢 do chores; have a job

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27. juhng 重 still, in addition, also (+ verb)28. jùngchoi 中菜 Chinese food29. jùnggwok choi 中國菜 Chinese food30. ma? 嗎 sen. suf. making a question of the

sentence it attaches to31. Màaihdāan! 埋單 The check please!32. meih 未 negative, "not yet"33. mhcho 唔錯 good, not bad34. ngoihgwokyàhn 外國人 foreigner(s)35. nìng 拎 carry (something)36. nìng ...heui 拎去 take, carry off (something)37. nìng ...làih 拎嚟 bring (something)...here38. Sāichāan 西餐 Western meal39. Seuhnghói choi 上海菜 Shanghai food40. séui būi 水杯 water glass41. Sihdaahn lā. 是但啦 Either one. No preference. As you wish.

(when offered a choice). Whatever.42. táiháh 睇吓 have a look43. tòng 湯 soup44. tòng mihn 湯麵 soup noodles45. wún 碗 M. a bowl of...46. wún 碗 bowl47. wúnjái 碗仔 small bowl48. Yahtbún choi 日本菜 Japanese food49. yāt chi dōu meih. 一次都未 not even once...50. yāt M dōu Neg V 一...都 Not even one...; can't V. even one M .51. yéh 嘢 work (as in jouh yéh) (with restricted

use)52. yeuhng 樣 kind, type

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Dialogues

dialogue 14.1.

Miss Lee! So, where are you off to?

黃生: 呀, 李小姐。 去邊喥呀?

李小姐: 哦, 黃生。 我啱啱返工。 你呢?

黃生: 我啱啱喺銀行攞錢返嚟。 食飯未呀?

李小姐: 未呀! 你呢?

黃生: 我都未呀, 我請你去食飯啦, 好唔好呀?

李小姐: 好呃, 去邊間呢?

黃生: 廣州酒家啲鹽焗雞好靚, 你食過未呀?

李小姐: 未食過。

黃生: 咁, 我哋去試吓啦。(They arrive at the restaurant)黃生: 伙計, 我哋想要隻 鹽焗雞,哼。..李小姐, 仲要乜嘢菜添呢?

李小姐: 芥蘭炒牛肉啦, 哼...一隻 雞太多, 我哋食唔嗮, 要半隻 就

夠啦, 再點個西洋菜湯。 好唔好呀?

黃生: 呀。 好, 李小姐 真係識點菜嘅嘞。 伙計唔該你快啲噃。

李小姐: 呢喥啲菜真係唔錯, 我都要帶我媽媽嚟試吓。(They finish eating)黃生: 伙計, 埋單。

伙計: 先生, 廿三蚊啦!

黃生: 呢喥廿五蚊, 唔使找嘞。

李小姐: 黃先生, 多謝嗮噃。

黃生: 唔使客氣。

Wòhng Sàang: A, Léih Síujé. Heui bīndouh a?Léih Síujé : O, Wòhng Sàang. Ngóh ngāamngāam fòng gùng. Néih nē?Wòhng Sàang: Ngóh ngāamngāam hái ngàhnhòhng lóchín fàanlaih. Sihk faahn meih a?Léih Síujé : Meih a! Néih nē?Wòhng Sàang: Ngóh dōu meih a, ngóh chéng néih heui sihk faahn lā, hóu mhhóu a?

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Léih Síujé: Hóu aak, heui bīn gàan nē?Wòhng Sàang: Gwóngjàu Jáugā dī yìhm guhk gāi hóu leng gà, néih sihkgwo meih a?Léih Síujé: Meih sihkgwo.Wòhng Sàang: Gám, ngóhdeih heui siháh lā.(They arrive at the restaurant)Wòhng Sàang: Fógei! Ngóhdeih séung yiu jek yìhm guhk gāi, mm...Léih Síujé, juhng

yiu mēyeh choi tìm nē?Léih Síujé: Gaailáan chaau ngàuhyuhk lā, mm...yāt jek gāi táai dò, ngóhdeih sihk

mhsaai, yiu bun jek jauh gau la, joi dim go sài yéuhng choi tòng. Hóu mhhóu a?

Wòhng Sàang: A. Hóu, Léih Síujé jànhaih sīk dím choi ge laak. Fógei mhgòi néih faai dī bo.

Léih Síujé: Nīdouh dī choi jànhaih mhcho, ngóh dōu yiu daai ngóh màhmā làih siháh.

(They finish eating)Wòhng Sàang: Fógei, màaihdāan.Fógei: Sīnsàang, yahsàam mān lā!Wòhng Sàang: Nīdouh yah ńgh mān, mhsái jáau laak.Léih Síujé : Wòhng Sīnsàang, dòjehsaai bo.Wòhng Sàang: Mhsái haakhei.

Mr. Wong: Oh, Miss Lee. Where are you going?Miss Lee : Oh, Mr. Wong. I just got off work. How about you?Mr. Wong: I'm just on my way back from the bank to get some money. Did you eat

yet?Miss Lee : No. Did you?Mr. Wong Me neither. I'd like to treat you, ok?Miss Lee: Sounds good, where shall we go?Mr. Wong The Salt-Baked Chicken at the Guangzhou Restaurant is good. Have

you had it?Miss Lee: No.Mr. Wong Well, let's go try it!.(They arrive at the restaurant)Mr. Wong Waiter, we'd like a Salt-Baked Chicken. Mm...Miss Lee, what other

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dishes do you want?Miss Lee: Sauteed Chinese Broccoli with Beef, mm...a whole chicken is too much

for the two of us. A half will do. Let's have some Watercress Soup, shall we?

Mr. Wong: Ok. You really know how to order dishes. Waiter, can you bring it as soon as possible, please.

Miss Lee: It's really good here. I'll have to bring my mother along some time.(They finish eating)Mr. Wong Waiter, the bill, please.Waiter: That'll be 23 dollars, please!Mr. Wong: Here's 25 dollars, keep the change.Miss Lee : Thanks Mr. Wong, I really appreciate it.Mr. Wong You're welcome.

dialogue 14.2.

What kind of soup would you like?

A: 呢間酒家唔錯。啲嘢又平又靚。

B: 哦。係咩?

A: 喂, 伙計! 唔該你拎個菜牌嚟睇吓啦。

W: 好。就嚟。

A: 呢喥有廣東菜, 上海菜。你想食邊樣呢?

B: 我想試吓廣東菜。唔該你介紹吓啦。

A: 咁, 點個乳豬, 再要個大蝦。好唔好呀?

B: 好呃。叫個揚州炒飯試吓啦。

A: 哼...你想愛個乜嘢湯添呢?

B: 西洋菜湯啦.

A: 呀, 伙計, 唔該攞多兩支汽水嚟啦。

B: 哼, 啲炒飯同大蝦真係唔錯嘞。

A: 食多啲添啦! 唔好客氣呀。

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B: 夠啦! 多謝嗮。

A: 伙計! 埋單!

A: Nī gàan jáugā mhcho gà. Dī yéh yauh pèhng yauh leng.B: O. Haih mē?A: Wái, fógei! Mhgòi néih nìng go choipáai làih táiháh lā,W: Hóu. Jauh làih.A: Nīdouh yáuh Gwóngdùng choi, Seuhnghói choi. Néih séung sihk bīn

yeuhng nē?B: Ngóh séung siháh Gwóngdùng choi. Mhgòi néih gaaisiuhháh lā.A: Gám, dím go yúhjyù, joi yiu go daaih hā. Hóu mhhóu a?B: Hóu aak. Giu go Yèuhngjàu cháau faahn siháh lā.A: Mmm...Néih séung oi go mēyéh tòng tìm nē?B: Sàiyèuhngchoi tòng lā.A: A, fógei, mhgòi lódò léuhng jì heiséui làih lā.B: Mmm, dī cháau faahn tùhng daaih hā jànhaih mhcho laak.A: Sihk dōdī tìm lā! Mhhóu haakhei a.B: Gau la! Dòjehsaai.A: Fógei! Màaihdāan!

A: This is a pretty good restaurant. The food's great and it's not too expensive.

B: Oh, really?A: Waiter! Can we have a menu?W: Sure. I'll get you one.A: They have Cantonese and Shanghainese food here. Which would you

prefer?B: I'd like to try Cantonese food. Can you suggest some dishes?A: Well, let's have a Roast Suckling Pig, and then Prawns, shall we?B: Ok. Let's try a Yangzhou Fried Rice, too.A: Hmm...what soup would you like?B: Watercress.A: Waiter, and please bring us two bottles of pop.B: Mmm, the fried rice and prawns are really great.

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A: Have some more! Don't be polite.B: I've had enough. Thanks a lot!.A: Waiter, bill, please!

dialogue 14.3.

What kind of food do you like to eat?

A: 你鐘意食乜嘢呢?B: 你話啦, 我乜嘢都食嘅.A: 咁, 你想食中菜抑或西餐呢?

B: 都得;你話啦。

A: 咁, 我哋去食廣東菜, 好唔好呀?

B: 好! 你知唔知邊喥嘅廣東菜好食呀?A: 中國茶樓嘅幾好。去嗰喥, 好唔好呀?B: 好呃。揸唔揸車去呢?

A: 唔使啦。中國茶樓喺對面啫。我哋行去啦。

A: Néih jùngyi sihk mēyéh nē?B: Néih wah lā, ngóh mēyéh dōu sihk gé.A: Gám, néih séung sihk Jùngchoi yìkwaahk sāichāan nē?B: Dōu dāk; néih wah lā.A: Gam, ngóhdeih heui sihk Gwóngdùng choi, hóu mhhóu a?B: Hóu! Néih jì mhjì bīndouh ge Gwóngdùng choi hóusihk a?A: Jùnggwok Chàhlàuh ge géi hóu. Heui gódouh, hóu mhhóu a?B: Hóu aak. Jà mhjà chē heui nē?A: Mhsái la. Jùnggwok Chàhlàuh hái deuimihn jē. Ngóhdeih háahng heui

lā.

A: What do you like to eat?B: It's up to you. I can eat anything.

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A: Would you like to eat Chinese food or Western food, then?B: Either is fine.A: Let's have Cantonese food, then, shall we?B: Ok. Do you know a good place for Cantonese food?A: The China Tea House is pretty good. Let's go there, shall we?B: Ok. Shall we drive?A: No need. The China Tea House is just over there. We can walk there.

dialogue 14.4.

It's nearly 12:30 - let's have lunch!

A: 呀! 而家就快十二 點啦。 我哋去食晏先 , 好唔好呀?

B: 好呃!

A: 呢喥左近有間好有名嘅廣東酒家。 我帶你去試吓啦。

B: 好呀。

(In the restaurant a waiter gives them a menu card:)伙計: 兩位想點啲乜嘢菜呢?A: 黃太, 你鐘意食啲乜嘢呀?

B: 我唔識點。 你介紹幾樣就得啦。

A: 咁,我點幾樣呢喥有名嘅畀你試吓啦。 伙計, 要個咕嚕肉, 一

個大蝦 , 都要細嘅。

B: 再要一個豬肉湯, 好唔好呀?A : 好呃! 伙計, 仲要一個豬肉湯添。 快啲噃。

伙計: 好。

A: 黃太, 食多啲啦。

B: 夠啦—呢喥啲菜真係唔錯噃!

A: 係呀。 呀! 而家就快一點半呀, 我哋走呀, 好嗎?

B: 好呃。

A: 伙計! 埋單。 (She pays the bill, leaving a tip.)伙計: 多謝嗮。㗎㗎

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A: A! Yìhgā jauh faai sahpyih dím la. Ngóhdeih heui sihk aan sìn , hóu mhhóu a?

B: Hóu aak!A: Nīdouh jógán yáuh gàan hóu yáuh méng ge Gwóngdùng jáugā. Ngóh

daai néih heui siháh lā.B: Hóu a.(In the restaurant a waiter gives them a menu card:)Fógei: Léuhng wái séung dím dī mēyéh choi nē?A: Wòhng Táai, néih jùngyi sihk dī mēyéh a?B: Ngóh mhsīk dím gà. Néih gaaisiuh géi yeuhng jauh dāk la.A: Gam, ngóh dím géi yeuhng nīdouh yáuh méng ge béi néih siháh la.

Fógei, yiu go gùlòu yuhk, yāt go daaih hā, dōu yiu sàige.B: Joi yiu yāt go jyùyuhk tòng, hóu mhhóu a?A: Hóu aak! Fógei, juhng yiu yāt go jyùyuhk tòng tìm. Faaidī bo.Fógei: Hóu.A: Wòhng Táai, sihk dōdī lā.B: Gau la—nīdouh dī choi jànhaih mhcho bo!A: Haih a. A! Yìhgā jauh faai yāt dím bun la, ngóhdeih jáu la, hóu ma?B: Hóu aak.A: Fógei! Màaihdāan (She pays the bill, leaving a tip.)Fógei: Dòjehsaai.

A: It's nearly 12.30! Let's have lunch, shall we?B: Sure!A: There's a really famous Cantonese restaurant around here I'd like to take

you to.B: Ok.(In the restaurant a waiter gives them a menu card:)W: May I take your order?A: Mrs Wong, what do you like to eat?B: I don't know how to order. Please go ahead.A: Well, I'll order some well-known dishes for you to try, then.

Waiter, a Sweet and Sour Pork, and an order of Prawns - make those

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small dishes.B: Let's have some Pork Soup, as well, shall we?A: Sure! Waiter, add a Pork Soup to that. Hurry, please.W: Ok.A: Mrs Wong, have some more.B: I've had enough, thanks. The food here is really good!A: Yes, it is. Oh, it's almost 1.30. Let's go, shall we?B: Ok.A: Waiter, can we have the bill, please. (She pays the bill, leaving a tip.)W: Thank you.

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Vocabulary

1. bouhfahn 部分 department (in a store)2. chéng... 請 please (+ verb); invite3. chēut 出 out4. chēutheui 出去 go out5. chēutlàih 出嚟 come out6. chēutbihn 出邊 outside, exterior7. dá dihnwá giu chē 打電話叫車 phone for a cab8. dáhòi 打開 open (as of a book)9. daih 第 ordinal number marker: st, nd, rd, th.10. daihyāt 第 一 the first11. deihhá 地下 ground, ground floor12. dou 到 suffix to verbs of motion, indicating

arrival at goal13. duhk 讀 read14. duhkdou... 讀到 read to...15. fo 課 lesson16. gàaiháu 街口 street opening, i.e. intersection17. gàaisíh 街市 food market18. hàahng 行 walk; go19. hahbihn 下便(邊) below; under20. hái 喺 from21. heui 去 attaches to verbs of motion, indicating

direction away from speaker22. jó 咗 verb suf. indicating "accomplishment"23. Jùngwàahn Gàaisíh 中環街市 Central Market24. làih 嚟 V suf: attaches to verbs of motion,

indicating direction towards the speaker25. làuhhah 樓下 [floor below] downstairs26. làuhseuhng 樓上 [floor above] upstairs

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27. lohk 落 descend28. lohkheui 落去 go down29. louhyàhn 路人 pedestrian30. seuhng 上 ascend31. seuhngbihn 上邊 above; on top32. seuhngchi 上次 last time33. ...sìn , yihnhauh... 先, 然後 ...first, then...34. wuhn sàam 換衫 change clothes35. yàhn 人 someone36. yàuh 由 from37. yihn(jì)hauh 然後 afterwards, then38. yihp 頁 page

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Dialogues

dialogue 15.1

How do I get there?

A: 請問你﹐美國公司喺邊喥呀﹖

B: 喺德道中

A: 由呢喥點去呀﹖

B: 喺喥一直行﹐過咗第一個街口﹐然後轉右。

A: 轉右之後呢﹖

B: 再一直行﹐過咗街市﹐ 就係德道中。 去到嗰喥﹐ 你就睇到㗎

㗎嘞。

A ﹕ 好。唔該。

B﹕ 唔使唔該。

A: Chéng mahn néih, Méihgwok Gūngsī hái bīndouh a?B: Hái Dāk Douh Jùng.A: Yàuh nīdouh dím heui a?B: Hái nīdouh yātjihk hàahng, gwojó daih yih go gàaiháu, yìhnhauh jyun

yauh.A: Jyun yauh jìhauh nē?B: Joi yātjihk hàahng, gwojó gàaisíh, jauh haih Dāk Douh Jùng. Heuidou

gódouh, néih jauh táidóu ga laak.A: Hóu, mhgòi.B: Mhsái mhgòi.

A: Excuse me, where is the American Company?B: It's on Des Voeux Rd Central.A: How do I get there?B: Go two blocks, then turn right.A: What then?

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B: Carry on past the market, then you'll see it.A: Ok, thanks.B: You're welcome.

dialogue 15.2

Which department does she work in?

A: 請問﹐李小玲喺邊喥呀﹖

B: 李小玲﹐佢喺邊個部份做事㗎。

A: 喺賣冷衫嗰個部份。

B: 哦﹐係嘞﹐佢話我知有位先生要搵佢﹐而家佢喺入邊等你。

A: 咁﹐我喺邊入去呀﹖

B: 哼﹐你喺呢喥一直行﹐然後轉出左手邊﹐李小姐就喺嗰喥嘞。

A: 唔該嗮。

B: 唔使唔該。

A: Chéng mahn, Léih Síu-lìhng Síujé hái bīndouh a?B: Léih Síu-lihng, kéuih hái bīn go bouhfahn jouh sih ga?A: Hái maaih lāangsāam gó go bouhfahn.B: O, haih laak. Kéuih wah ngóh jì yáuh wái sīnsàang yiu wán kéuih, yìhgā

kéuih hái yahpbihn dáng néih.A: Gám, ngóh hái bīndouh yahpheui a?B: Hmm...Néih hái nīdouh yātjihk hàahng, yìhnhauh jyunchēut jósáubihn,

Léih Síujé jauh hái gódouh laak.A: Mhgòisaai.B: Mhsái mhgòi.

A: Excuse me, where is Miss Siu Ling Lee?B: Which department does she work in?A: She's in the sweater department.

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B: Oh, I know. She told me that a gentleman would be coming to see her. She's inside waiting for you.

A: So where do I go in?B: Well, go straight ahead and turn left. You'll find her there.A: Thanks.B: You're welcome.

dialogue 15.3

Excuse me, is Mr Wong at home?

A: 請問你, 黃先生喺唔喺喥呀?

B: 邊位黃先生呀?

A: 黃永葉先生。

B: 唔喺呢喥噃。請你上去四樓問吓啦。

(Goes up)A: 請問, 黃永葉先生喺唔喺喥呀?

C: 你搵邊個呀? 我哋呢喥冇姓黃嘅噃

A: 係咩? 對唔住噃。但係我啱啱問過二樓

一個人, 佢話黃永葉住喺四樓嘅噃。

C: 哦! 黃永葉! 佢係唔係教廣東話㗎 ?A: 冇錯, 係佢。

C: 佢住喺三樓, 你行返落去啦。

A: 好,唔該嗮。

A: Chéng mahn néih, Wòhng Sīnsàang hái mhhái douh a?B: Bīn wái Wòhng Sīnsàang a?A: Wòhng Wíhng-yihp Sīnsàang.B: Mhhái nīdouh bo. Chéng néih séuhngheui sei láu mahnháh lā.(Goes up)A: Chéng mahn, Wòhng Wíhng-yihp Sīnsàang hái mhhái douh a?

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C: Néih wán bīngo a? Ngóhdeih nīdouh móuh sing Wòhng ge bo.A: Haih mē? Deuimhjyuh bo. Daahnhaih ngóh ngāamngāam mahngwo yih

láu yāt go yàhn, kéuih wah Wòhng Wíhng-yihp jyuh hái sei láu ge bo.C: Oh! Wòhng Wíhng-yihp! Kéuih haih mhhaih gaau Gwóngdùngwá ga?A: Móuh cho, haih kéuih laak.C: Kéuih jyuh hái sàam láu, néih hàahng fàan lohk heui lā. A: Hóu, mhgòisaai.

A: Excuse me. Is Mr Wong in?B: Which Mr Wong?A: Wing Yip Wong.B: He's not here. Try the fourth floor.(Goes up)A: Excuse me. Is Wing Yip Wong there?C: Who are you looking for? There's nobody called Wong here.A: No? I'm sorry. But I just asked the guy down on the second floor and he

said Wing Yip Wong lived on the fourth floor.C: Oh! Wing Yip Wong! You mean the Cantonese teacher?A: Right. That's him.C: He lives on the third floor. You'd better go back down there. A: Ok, thanks.

dialogue 15.4

Who's teaching you Cantonese these days?

A: 而家邊個教你講廣東話呀﹖

B: 都係張生。

A: 學到第幾課呀﹖

B: 第十五課嘅啦。

A: 第十五課講乜嘢㗎。

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B: 係講去公司買嘢嘅﹐ 呢課真係好有用。 學咗呢課我就可以同

公司嘅伙計講廣東話啦﹗

A: 係呀。

B: 係呀。個伙計仲話我廣東話好好添。

A: 係呀。你嘅廣東話係唔錯呃。

B: 你咁講﹐我就真係唔好意思啦。

A: Yìhgā bīngo gaau néih góng Gwóngdùngwá a?B: Dōu haih Jèung Sàang.A: Hohkdou daih géi fo a?B: Daih sahpńgh fo ge la.A: Daih sahpńgh fo góng mēyéh ga?B: Haih góng heui gūngsī máaih yéh gé, nī fo jànhaih hóu yáuh yuhng.

Hohkjó nī fo ngóh jauh hóyíh tùhng gūngsī ge fógei góng Gwóngdùngwá laak.

A: Haih àh.B: Haih a! Go fógei juhng wah ngóh ge Gwóngdùngwá hóu hóu tìm.A: Haih a. Néih ge Gwóngdùngwá haih mhcho aak.B: Néih gám góng, ngóh jauh jànhaih mhhóu yisi la.

A: Who's teaching you Cantonese now?B: It's still Mr. Cheung.A: Which lesson are you up to?B: Lesson 15.A: What's lesson 15 about?B: It's about going shopping. It's really useful. After this lesson, I'll be able

to speak Cantonese with the store clerk.A: That's right.B: Yes, and the clerk also said my Cantonese was very good.A: Yes. Your Cantonese is really good.B: If you say that, I'll really be embarassed.

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GLOSSARY

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CANTONESE - ENGLISH

ā 啊 sen. suf. a (QV) + raised intonation for liveliness

A 呀 oh, ah. (a mild exclamation)a 呀 sen. suf., to somen abruptnessagō [go] 阿哥 elder brotheràh 呀 sen. suf. with force of "I suppose."aak 呃 sen. suf. a (QV) + -k (QV)āam (var: ngāam) 啱 fitting, proper, rightāamāam 啱啱 exactly(var: ngāamngāam)āam jeuk 啱着 well-fitting (for clothes), fits well(var: ngāam jeuk)aan (var: ngaan) 晏 noon, middayAiya! 哎吔 exclamation of consternation

bá 把 Measure for things with handles, such as umbrellas

baak 百 hundredbaahk 白 whitebaahk faahn [wún] [dī] 白飯 boiled or steamed ricebaat 八 eightbàau 包 package, Measure for cigarette packbàhbā [go] 爸爸 fatherbāt [jì] 筆 writing implement, either pen or pencilbātgwo 不過 however; but; althoughbéi 俾 givebéi 俾 let, allowbējáu [ji] [bùi] [jèun] 啤酒 beerbéng [go] [dī] [faai] 餅 cakebīn-? 邊 which?bīnbihn? 邊便 which side?bīndouh? 邊度 where? [which place?]bīngo 邊嗰 whomever, whoever, whichever

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bīngo? 邊嗰 who?; which person?-bihn 邊(便) sidebīu [go] 錶 watch, wristwatchbo 噃 sen. suf. expressing certaintybohng 磅 pound (weight)bou [fàai] [fāt] 布 clothbouhfahn [go] 部分 department (in a store)būi [jek] [go] 杯 a cup, glassbùi 杯 cupful, glass-full (measure of volume)bun 半 halfbún 本 Measure for bookbúndeihyàhn [go] 本地人 a native of the place under discussion [this-

place-person]

chàm̀hdó 差唔多 approximatelychàh [bùi] [wùh] 茶 teaChàn 陳 Chan (surname)chàhlàuh [gàan] 茶樓 Cantonese style tea-housechāansāt [gàan] 餐室 western style restaurantcháang [go] 橙 orangecháau 炒 to toss-fry in small amount of oil, as in

scrambling eggs.cháau faahn [wún ] [dihp] 炒飯 fried ricecháau mihn [wún ] [dihp] 炒麵 fried noodles

chāt 七 sevenchē 車 vehicle: car, bus, or tramchē jaahm 車站 car stop (bus or tram stop)chéng.... 請... please (+ verb); inviteChéng mahn 請問 "May I ask...?" Polite form used to preface a

question equivalent to English "Could you please tell me... ? "

chèuihbín 隋便 As you wish. At your convenience.Chèuihbín chóh lā. 隋便坐啦 "Sit anywhere you like." Polite phrase used

by host to guest.cheung 暢(唱) change money into smaller denomi-nation

(followed by denomination desired)

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cheunghòi 暢(唱)開 split, break up a large banknote or coin for ones of lesser denomination (followed by denomination held)

chèuhng 長 long (in length)chèuhng sāam [gihn] 長衫 cheongsaam. Chinese style dress for

women, with high collar and slit skirtchēut 出 out, emergechēutheui 出去 go outchēutlàih 出嚟 come outchēutbihn 出邊 outside, exteriorchēut gāai 出街 to go out (from one's own house)chi 次 time, occasionchīn 千 thousandchìhnbihn 前邊 front side, in front, at the frontchín [dī] 錢 moneychìngchó 清楚 clearchìhngyìhng 情形 circumstances, conditionscho 錯 mistake (v/n)chóh 坐 sitchoi [dihp] [go] 菜 food; a particular food, a dishchoidāan [jèung] 菜單 menu of a specific dinnerchoipáai [go] 菜 menu, bill of fare

dā 打 dozendá 打 hitdá dihnwá 打電話 make a telephone calldá dihnwá giu chē 打電話叫車 phone for a cabdáhòi 打開 open (as of book)daai 帶 carry; bring/take something along; bring/take

someone along daai...heui 帶去 take...alongdaai...lai 帶嚟 bring...alongdaaih 大 largedaaihdī 大啲 a little largerDaaih Douh Jùng 大道中 Queen's Road Centraldaaihsēng 大聲 loud (voice)Daaihsēngdī! 大聲啲! Speak louder!

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daahnhaih 但是 butdaap 答 to answerDaap cho sin 搭錯線 Wrong number. [connected the wrong line]

(said over the phone)daaphaak [dī] 搭客 passengerdaahp 搭 tread on. in time expression daahp combines

with the numbers on the clock face to indicate the 5-minute subdivisions of the hour. Thus, daahp yāt = 5 after, daahp yih = 10 after, etc.

daahp bun 搭半 half past (the hour)daahp géi? 搭幾 how many five minutes past the hour? [tread

on-which number?]daih 第 ordinal number marker: -st, -nd, -rd, -th, etcdaihyāt 第 一 the firstdáifu [tìuh ] 底褲 underpants, undershortsdáikwàhn [tìuh ] 底裙 slip, petticoatdáisāam [gihn] 底衫 underweardāk 得 OK, all rightdāk... 得 have only..., only have. (dāk with a quantity

phrase as object implies that the quantity is insufficient.)

yáuh dāk 有得 available, can. (used between the verb yáuh (or its negative móuh) and a second verb, forms a phrase: "have (or not have) available for V-ing;" "can ,V."

Dākfuh Douh Jùng 德輔道中 Des Voeux Road CentralDāk meih? 得未 Are you (Is he, etc.) ready?dáng 等 wait (for)dáng Person Verb 等 allow, let Person do something; wait

while Person does somethingdáng (yāt)ján 等一陣 wait awhile; in a little whileor dáng yātjahndeihhá 地下 ground, ground floordeui 對 pair; group measure for shoes, socks,

chopsticks, things that come in two'sDeuim̀hjyuh 對唔住 Excuse me; I beg your pardon; I'm sorry.

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deuimihn 對面 opposite side, facing; across the streetdī 啲 the; some. (plural M for individual nouns)dī 啲 a little, some; the. (general M for mass

nouns)-dī 啲 suffixed to Adj. to mean: a little

Adj, somewhat Adj, Adj-er. Attached to predicate Adj. means: a little too Adj.

dihnwá [go] 電話 telephonedím 點 to order (food, by pointing out your

choice from a list.)dím? 點 how?dím bun 點半 1:30 o'clockdím (jūng) 點鐘 o'clock. (represents the hour place in a time

phrase)diuhtàuh 掉頭 turn (a car) around [turn-head]dōdī 多啲 more (in addition). (follows Verb)dò 多 much, manydò 多 additional, another, more. (precedes Number

+ M phrase)Dòjeh 多謝 Thank you (for gift)Dòjehsaai 多謝嗮 Thank you very much.dōu 都 alsodōu 都 both; anddōu haih 都係 reallydōu + neg. V 都 not even Vdou 到 arrive-dou 到 verb suf. to verbs of motion, indicating

arrival at goal Douh 道 Road (restricted to use following named

road)-douh 喥 place. also see: hái douh-dóu 到 verb suf., indicating successful

accomplishment of the action of the verb. what is attempted

duhk 讀 read aloud; recite; readduhkdou ... 讀 到... read to...duhk syù 讀書 to study

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dyún 短 short

faahn [wún] [túng] 飯 rice (cooked)fàan 返 return (to/from a place you habitually go to)fàan gùng 返工 go [return] to workfàanheui 返去 go back, returnfàan hohk 返學 go to schoolfàanjyuntàuh 返轉頭 turn (the car) around and go back in

the direction you had been, do a U-turnfàanlàih 返嚟 coming. [return-turn-head] come back, return

(here)fàan (ng)ūkkéi 返屋企 go [return] homefaai 快 fastfaaijí [deui] [jek] [sēung] 筷子 chopstick(s)fānjūng 分鐘 minute(s)fànbiht 分別 differencefo 課 lessonfógei [go] 伙計 clerk in a grocery storefógei [go] 伙計 waiter in a restaurantfu [tìuh] 褲 trousers, slacks, long pantsfu 副 pair; M. for eyeglassesfut 闊 wide

ga 㗎 sen. suf: a fusion of noun-forming boundword ge and sen.suf. a (QV)

ga (var: ge, [gə] ) 㗎 sen. suf. for matter of fact assertion: "that's a fact"

ga 架 M. for vehiclesgāai [tìuh] 街 streetgaaisiuh 介紹 recommend; introducegàaiháu [go] 街口 street opening; i.e., intersectiongàaisíh [go] 街市 food marketgáai(sīk) 解(釋) explaingaaklèih 隔籬 next door, adjacentgàan 間 M. for buildings

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gaau 教 teachgaaudou 教到 teach to...gafē [bùi] [wùh] 咖啡 coffeegāi [jek] 雞 chickengaijuhk 繼續 continuegám 咁 so ( Adj.)gamseuhnghá 咁上下 approximatelygám 咁 that way, this way, thus, such a wayGám,... 咁 "Well then,..."say,..." (Sen. preface,

resuming the thread of previous discussion)gàn 斤 catty. unit of weight equalling 600 gms., ca. 1

lb 5 oz.gàn 跟 follow, come behindgànjyuh 跟住 follow, come aftergāng [jek] 羹 spoongau 夠 enoughgauh 舊 old (not new)gáu 九 nineGaulùhng 九龍 Kowloon-ge 嘅 noun-forming boundword. added to Verb

Phrase makes it a Noun Phrase-ge 嘅 as noun substitutege 嘅 possessive marker, joins with preceding

personal noun or pronoun to form possessive.

gèibún 基本 basic; foundationgéi 幾 severalgéi-? 幾 which number?; how many?géi 幾 rather, quitegéidím? (var: géidímjūng?) 幾點 what time is it? [which number -o'clock?]géidō? 幾多 how much?, how many?géidò 幾多 quite a lotgéidō houh? 幾多號 what number?géisí? (var: géisìh?) 幾時 when?geui 句 sentencegéui 舉 give (an example)gihn 件 M. for clothes, such as shirt, dress, raincoat

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giu 叫 instruct, tell (someone to do something); order; call

giu chē 叫車 call a cabgiu(jouh) 叫(做) is called, is namedgo 個 general M. for many nounsgo 個 M. for dollar; represents the dollar place in a

money phrasegó- 嗰 that; thosegó bihn 嗰便(邊) over there, on that sidegódī 嗰啲 those (in reference to unit nouns); that (in

reference to mass nouns)gódouh 嗰喥 there [that-place]góng 講 speakgóng PERSON jì 講...知 tell sb somethinggóng PERSON tèng 講...聽 tell sb somethingguhaak [dī] 顧客 customergūngsī [gàan] 公司 department store; office (of a commercial

company) gùngyàhn [go] 工人 servant, laborergwai 貴 expensivegwaising? 貴姓 what is (your) surname? (polite)gwaisingmìhng? 貴姓名 what is your surname and given name?

(polite)gwāt 骨 quarter (hour)gwo 過 pass by (a point); cross (a street); go over (to

a place)-gwo 過 V. suf. indicating experience; to have done

something before.gwodī 過啲 beyond; a little farther onGwodī tím 過啲添 Go further on; i.e. Keep going. (said to taxi

driver)Gwokyúh 國語 Mandarin spoken language [National

language]Gwóngdùng 廣東 Kwangtung, province in SE ChinaGwóngdùng choi 廣東菜 Cantonese foodGwóngdùngwá 廣東話 Cantonese spoken languageGwóngdùngyàhn [go] 廣東人 Cantonese person, person from Kwangtung

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province

hā [jek] 蝦 shrimphahbihn 下便(邊) below, downstairs-háh 吓 verb suf. giving casual effect to the verb it is

joined to.hàaih [deui] [jek] 鞋 shoeshāak 黑 blackhaakhei 客氣 politehàahng 行 go; walk; drivehaih 係 am, is, are, was, were, etc.haih...làih ge 係...嚟嘅 is...; grammatical structure emphasizing

enclosed nounhái PW 喺 from PWhái PW 喺 location verb, translated as "(is) in/on/at"

(requires PW following)hái douh 喺喥 (he, she, it) is here; is at (this) placehauhbihn 後便(邊) back side; behind, in the back, at the backheiséui [ji] [jèun] [bùi] 汽水 soft drinkheui 去 go-heui 去 attaches to verbs of motion, indicating

direction away from the speaker heui gāai 去街 go out (from one's own house)Hèunggóng 香港 Hong KongHòh 何 Ho (sur.)hóyíh 可以 be permitted, allowed tohohk 學 study, learnhohkhaauh [gàan] 學校 schoolhohksāang [go] 學生 studenthouh 號 number; "size" (for some articles of clothing)houh 號 number (for street number in giving an

address)hòuh(jí) 毫子 dime (represents the dime place in a money

expression when the figure is less than a dollar)

hóu 好 very, quitehóu 好 well, good

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Hóu 好 OK. All right. Fine, Agreed. (Response phrase indicating agreement.)

Hóu aak. 好呃 OK. Agreed. (Lively response phrase indicating agreement.)

hóudò 好多 a lotHóu ma? 好嗎 Is that OK?hóu mh̀hóu a? 好唔好呀? OK? Is (that) all right?hóusihk 好食 good to eat; tastyhóusíu 好少 very littlehóuyám 好飲 good to drink; tasty

ja 喳 sen. suf: a fusion of sen. suffixes jē and a, implying not much, merely.

jà 揸 to clutch in the hand(s), grabjà chē 揸車 to drive a carjaak 窄 narrowjaahm 站 stop, station, as in " bus stop," 'train station"jáau 找 give changejáaufàan 找返 give back change [change-return]jái [go] 仔 sonjáinéui [dī] 仔女 children of a family, sons and daughters of a

familyjànhaih 真係 really, indeedjauh 就 then; and; immediately; soonjáu 走 leave, departjáu [jèun] [bùi] 酒 alcoholic beveragejáudim [gàan] 酒店 hoteljáugā [gàan] 酒家 Chinese style restaurantjē 啫 sen. suf. only, merely; that's alljē [bá] 遮 umbrellaje 借 lend, borrowjejyuh 借住 lend or borrow temporarilyjek 隻 M. for shoe, sock, ship, cup, spoon, chicken

and othersjeuk 著 wear; put on (clothes)jéun 準 accurate; rightJèung 張 Cheung (surname)

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jèung 張 M. for banknote, table, chair, newspaper, and other sheet-shaped objects

jí [jèung] 紙 banknote; paperjì 支 M. for pens, pencils, bottles, and other things

that are small, thin and striplike in sizejì 知 to knowjì(dou) 知 know (something)jídou 指到 point tojih 字 five minutes; written figure; character

jìhauh 之後 after

jihgéi 自己 self

jip 接 meet, fetch, pick up a person

jīu [jek] [sō] 蕉 banana

jó 咗 verb suf. indicating accomplishment of the action

jó 左 leftjóbihn 左便(邊) leftjógán 左近 nearby, (t)hereaboutsjoi 再 againjoi dá làih 再打嚟 call back (on the phone)joi góng yātchi 再講一 次 say it again, repeatjoigin 再見 goodbyejósáubihn 左手便(邊) lefthand sidejouh 做 to do; work; act as

jouh sāam 做衫 make clothes, have clothes madejouh yéh 做嘢 do chores, have a jobjóusàhn 早晨 good morningjūng [go] 鐘 clock

juhng 仲 (or 重) still, in addition, also (+ verb)Jùngchoi 中菜 Chinese foodJùnggwok choi 中國菜 Chinese foodJùnggwokyàhn 中國人 Chinese personJùngmàhn 中文 Chinese (written) languageJùngwàahn 中環 Central District (in Hong Kong)

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Jùngwàahn Gàaihsíh 中環街市 Central Market (in Hong Kong)jùngyi 鍾意 like; prefer; like tojúng 種 type, kindjyuh 住 live, reside-jyuh 住 V. suf. indicating temporarily, for a short

timejyùyuhk [gàn] [bohng] [dī] 豬肉 porkjyúyàhn [wái] [go] 主人 host, hostessjyun 轉 turn

-k glottal stop ending to certain sen. suffixes, giving sentence a lively air

kàhmyaht 琴日 yesterdaykámmàaih 冚埋 to close, shut (as of books)kéuih 佢 he/him, she/her, itkéuihdeih 佢哋 they, them, theirkwàhn [tìuh ] 裙 skirt

lā 啦 sen. suf. for polite imperative, polite suggestion.

lā 啦 sen. suf. la for change + raised intonation for casualness

la sen. suf. indicating change— (that change has occurred, or is about to occur, or may occur)

la sen. suf. to imperative sentence, giving connotation of friendly advice

laak 嘞 sen. suf. la indicating change or potential change + suffix -k indicating lively mood (la + -k = laak)

lāangsāam [gihn] 冷衫 sweaterlaih 例 examplelaihgeui 例句 example, example sentencelàih 嚟 for the purpose oflàih 嚟 (來) to come-làih 嚟 attaches to verbs of motion, indicating

direction towards the speaker...làih ge 嚟嘅 see: haih...làih ge

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láu 樓 floor, story of a buildingLàuh 劉 Lau (surname)làuhhah 樓下 downstairslàuhseuhng 樓上 upstairsléh 咧 sen. suf. for definitenesslèhng 零 "and a little bit" in a time phrase

following dím, thus: -dím lèhng júng = a little after the hour

Léih 李 Li (surname)leng 靚 pretty; good-looking; good, nice (for

foods)léuhng 兩 two; a couplelihnjaahp [go] 練習 exercise, drilllìhng 零 zeroló 攞 fetch, go get (something)ló chín 攞錢 withdraw money (from bank)lohk 落 to go down; to get off/out of a vehiclelohkheui 落去 go downlouhyàhn [go] 路人 pedestrianluhk 六 six

ma? 嗎 question marker

màhmā 媽媽 mother

máh 碼 yard (in length)Máh 馬 Ma (surname)máhtàuh [go] 碼頭 dock; pier; quaymáaih 買 buymaaih 賣 to sellmaaihsaai laak 賣嗮嘞 All sold out.màaih 埋 V. suf. meaning together, closemàaihdāan 埋單 bill (in a restaurant)

maahn 慢 slow

mān 蚊 dollarmahn 問 askmahntàih [go] [dī] 問題 question

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Màhnwàh Jáudim 文華酒店 Mandarin Hotelmātyéh? 乜嘢 what?maht [deui] [jek] 襪 socksmē? 咩 interrogative sen. suf. indicating surprisemēyéh? 乜嘢 what?meih 未 neg: not yetMéihgwok Jáudim 美國酒店 American Hotel (in HK, another name for the

Hong Kong Hilton)Méihgwok Ngàhnhòhng 美國銀行 Bank of AmericaMéihgwokyàhn 美國人 American personméng [go] 名 name; for persons = given name (in contrast

to surname)mh̀- 唔 notmh̀cho 唔錯 good, "not bad" [not-mistake] (said in

commenting favourably about something)mh̀gányiu 唔緊要 That's all right; It doesn't matter; Never mind.mh̀geidāk 唔記得 forget (not remember)mh̀ginjó 唔見咗 lose, lost; "nowhere to be seen"mh̀gòi 唔該 Thank you (for a service)mh̀gòi néih... 唔該你 Please..., Would you please... (sen. preface

preceding a request) mh̀haih géi Adj 唔係幾 not very Adj, not Adjmh̀haih hóu Adj 唔係好 not very Adjmh̀hóu V 唔好 don't V (as a command) [not good to...]V dāk mh̀hóu 得唔好 badly, not wellmh̀hóu haakhei 唔好客氣 "Don't be polite." Polite phrase used by host

to urge guest to have something that he has just politely declined.

mh̀hóu yisi 唔好意思 I'm sorry; It's embarrassing. (used in apologizing for social gaffe)

mh̀jì(dou)...a? 唔知道...呀 I wonder...?mh̀sái 唔使 no need to, not necessarymh̀sái haakhei 唔使客氣 [don't need to be polite.] "No thanksI" (to an

offer) "You're welcome." (when someonemh̀sái la 唔使啦 thanks you) [Not necessary] No thanks. polite

phrase used in declining a courtesy or a gim.mh̀sái mh̀gòi. 唔使唔該 [Not necessary to (say) thanks]

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You're welcome. Polite response when someone thanks you for something you have done for him.

mīyéh? 乜嘢 what?móuh 冇 not have, there isn't (aren't)Móuh cho 冇錯 That's right.móuhdák V 冇得 not have available for V-ing; V there's none

to not have available to .;. (used in combination with following verb)

móuhgéidò 冇幾多 not much, not manymùhnháu [go] 門口 doorway

nàahmpàhngyáuh [go] 男朋友 boyfriendNàh! 嗱 Here! (expression accompanying giving

something to someone)nē? 呢 interrogative sen. suf.Nē! 呢 There! (expression accompanying pointing

out something to someone)Nèihdēun Douh 彌敦道 Nathan Roadnéih 你 you, yournéihdeih 你哋 you (plu.)néui [go] 女 daughternéuihpàhngyáuh [go] 女朋友 girlfriendńgh 五 fivengāam 啱 fitting, proper, rightngāamjeuk 啱著 well-fitting (for clothes), fits wellngāamngāam 啱啱 exactly, just

(var: āamāam)ngaan (var. aan) 宴 noon, middayngàhnchín [go] 銀錢 money [silver-money]ngàhnhòhng [gàan] 銀行 bankngán 銀 coinngáhngéng [fu] 眼鏡 eyeglassesngáhngéngdói [go] 眼鏡袋 eyeglasses casengahp táu 頷頭 nod the headngàuhnáaih [dī] 牛奶 milk [cow-milk]

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ngàuhyuhk 牛肉 beef[gàn] [bohng] [dī]

ngóh 我 I , me, myngóhdeih 我哋 we, our, usngoi (var: oi) 愛 want, want to have, want to possessngoihgwokyàhn [go] 外國人 foreigner [outside-country-person] (in

practice, this word refers to Caucasians only)ngūk (var: ūk) [gàan], 屋 housengūkkéi (var: ūkkéi) 屋企 homenī 呢 thisnī bihn 呢便 this sidenī dī 呢啲 these (in reference to individual nouns), this

(in reference to mass nouns)nīdouh 呢喥 here [this-place]nījógán 呢左近 close by, hereaboutsnihng táu 擰頭 shake the headnìng 拎去 carry (something)nìngheui, nìng...heui 拎去 take, carry something awaynìnglàih, nìng...làih 拎嚟 bring something here

oi (var: ngoi) 愛 want, want to have, want to possess

paak 泊 park (a car)paak chè 泊車 to park a carpàhngyáuh [go] 朋友 friendpèhng 平 cheappìhnggwó [go] 蘋果 apple

-saai 嗮 completelysàam 三 threesàam go gwat 三個骨 three quarters amer the hoursáanngán [dī] 散銀 small coins, small changeSàang 生 Mr.Sāichāan [go] 西餐 Western mealsai 細 smallsaimúi [go] 細妹 younger sistersàn 新 new

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sahp 十 tensahpyāt 十一 elevensahpyih 十二 twelvesauhfoyùhn [go] 售貨員 salesclerk [sell-goods-personnel]sáudói [go] 手袋 (woman's) handbagsèsíu 些少 a littlesé 寫 writeséjihlàuh [gàan] 寫字樓 office [write-words-building]sei 四 fourseuhngbihn 上便(邊) above, upstairsseuhngchi 上次 last time, the previous timeSeuhnghói 上海 ShanghaiSeuhnghói choi 上海菜 Shanghai foodSeuhnghóiwá 上海話 Shanghainese (spoken language)Seuhnghóiyàhn [go] 上海人 Shanghainese (person)séung 想 be of a mind to, wish to, would like to, want

to, considering.séuhng 上 (always followed by Verb) ascendséui [bùi] [dī] 水 waterséui būi [jek] 水杯 water glasssēutsāam [gihn] 裇衫 shirtsīgēi [go] 司機 taxi driver; chauffeursi 試 trysiháh 試吓 give it a trysih 事 business, affair, matterSihdaahn lā 是但啦 Phrase used when offered a choice,

meaning: As you wish; Either one; Both equally preferable.

sìhhauh 時候 timesīk 識 to know someonesīk 識 know how (to do something)sīk 色 colour sihk 食 eatsihk (ng)aan 食宴 eat lunchsihk yīn 食煙 to smoke [eat-tobacco]sīnsàang [go] 先生 husband

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tèng dihnwa 聽電話 talk [listen] on the telephonetìm 添 sen. suf. indicating speaker is taken by

surprise by a situation contrary to his expectation

tìm 添 in addition, also, moreTīnsīng Máhtàuh 天星碼頭 Star Ferry Piertìhng 停 to stoptìuh 條 M. for trousers, ties, and certain other objects

long and narrowTòihsāan 台山 in shape Taishan, a county in Southern

Kwangtung about 100 mi. west of Hong Kong

Tòihsāanwá 台山話 Taishan dialectTòihsāanyàhn 台山人 person from Taishantòng [go] [wún] 湯 souptòng mihn [go] [wún] 湯麵 soup noodlestòhng 糖 sugarTòhngchoi 唐菜 Chinese foodtòuhsyùgwún [gàan] 圖書館 librarytùhng 同 and (connects nouns)tùhng 同 on behalf of, fortùhng 同 with

ūk (var: ngūk) [gàan] 屋 houseūkkei (var: ngūkkei) 屋企 home

wá 話 spoken language; dialectwá? 話 interrogative sen. suf. calling for repeat of the

preceding sentencewaahkjé 或者 maybewah 話 say; opinewah yàhn jì 話我知 tell me

話人知 tell someone (any personal noun or pronoun can fill

wah yàhn tèng 話人聽 posxtxon; i-ii someone ICll .......wái 位 polite M. for personswái [go] 位 a place, seat

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wānjaahp 溫習 to reviewwán 搵 look for, searchwán yàhn 搵人 look someone up

làih wán yàhn 嚟搵人 come see someoneheui wán yàhn 去搵人 go see someone

wán bīnwái a? 搵邊位呀 (on telephone:) "Who do you wish to speak to?"

Wéi! 喂 Hello! (telephone greeting)

Wíhng Ōn Gūngsī 永安公司 Wing On Department StoreWòhng 王/ 黃 Wong (sur.)wuihwá 會話 conversationwuhn 換 to change. re money, to change into...

(followed by denomination of money desired); to exchange one national currency for another (followed by currency desired)

wuhn sāam 換衫 change clotheswún [go] [jek] 碗 bowl (n.)wún 碗 a bowl of... (in)wúnjái [go] [jekj 碗仔 small bowl

yám 飲 to drinkyàhn [go] 人 personyàhn [go] 人 someoneyàhnhaak [wai] 人客 guestyahp 入 enteryahpbihn 入便[邊] insideyahpheui 入去 go in; enteryāt 一 oneyātchàih 一齊 togetheryātchi 一次 once, one timeyāt chi dóu meih... 一次都未 not even onceyāt M dòu Neg. V 一...都... not even one...yāt go gwāt 一個骨 a quarter after the houryāt go jih 一個字 five minutes; five minutes after the houryāt go yāt go 一個一個 one by oneyātjihk 一直 straight a) in a straight direction b) without

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being interrupted or diverted.yātyeuhng 一樣 sameYahtbún choi 日本菜 Japanese foodYahtbúnwá 日本話 Japanese (spoken) languageYahtbúnyàhn 日本人 Japanese personYahtmán 日文 Japanese (written) languageYahtmàhn 日文 Japanese (written) languageyauh 右 right (direction)yauh 又 also (connects Verb Phrases)yauh V yauh V 又...又... both..., and....yauhbihn 右便(邊) right sideyauhsáubihn 右手便(邊) right hand sideyàuh...PW 由 from PWyàuhhaak [go] 遊客 touristyáuh 有 has/have; there is/areyáuhdāk V 有得 to have available to V, have available for V-

ing. (used in combination with following verb)

(Yáuh) mēyéh sih a? 有乜嘢事呀? What is it you want? (on the phone: May I take a message?)

yáuh sìh 有事 have something to attend to; have errand, business

yéh 嘢 work; choresyéh 嘢 things, stuffyeuhng 樣 kind, typeyīsāng [go] 醫生 doctoryih 二 twoyìhgā 而家 now, at this momentYì! 噫 Exclamation of distress...yìkwaahk...? 抑或 ..., or...? (connects two verbal expressions)yīn [bāau] [dī] 煙 tobaccoyīnjái [jì] 煙仔 a cigaretteyìhn(jì)hauh 然(之)後 then; immediately afterwardsYìngmán 英文 English languageYìngmàhn 英文 English languageYìnggwokyàhn [go] 英國人 Englishman, person from Englandyihp 葉 page

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yàhnhaak [wai] 人客 guestyahp 入 enteryahpbihn 入便[邊] insideyahpheui 入去 go in; enteryāt 一 oneyātchàih 一齊 togetheryātchi 一次 once, one timeyāt chi dóu meih... 一次都未 not even onceyāt M dòu Neg. V 一...都... not even one...yāt go gwāt 一個骨 a quarter after the houryāt go jih 一個字 five minutes; five minutes after the houryāt go yāt go 一個一個 one by oneyātjihk 一直 straight a) in a straight direction b) without

being interrupted or diverted.yātyeuhng 一樣 sameYahtbún choi 日本菜 Japanese foodYahtbúnwá 日本話 Japanese (spoken) languageYahtbúnyàhn 日本人 Japanese personYahtmán 日文 Japanese (written) languageYahtmàhn 日文 Japanese (written) languageyauh 右 right (direction)yauh 又 also (connects Verb Phrases)yauh V yauh V 又...又... both..., and....yauhbihn 右便(邊) right sideyauhsáubihn 右手便(邊) right hand sideyàuh...PW 由 from PWyàuhhaak [go] 遊客 touristyáuh 有 has/have; there is/areyáuhdāk V 有得 to have available to V, have available for V-

ing. (used in combination with following verb)

(Yáuh) mēyéh sih a? 有乜嘢事呀? What is it you want? (on the phone: May I take a message?)

yáuh sìh 有事 have something to attend to; have errand, business

yéh 嘢 work; choresyéh 嘢 things, stuff

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yeuhng 樣 kind, typeyīsāng [go] 醫生 doctoryih 二 twoyìhgā 而家 now, at this momentYì! 噫 Exclamation of distress...yìkwaahk...? 抑或 ..., or...? (connects two verbal expressions)yīn [bāau] [dī] 煙 tobaccoyīnjái [jì] 煙仔 a cigaretteyìhn(jì)hauh 然(之)後 then; immediately afterwardsYìngmán 英文 English languageYìngmàhn 英文 English languageYìnggwokyàhn [go] 英國人 Englishman, person from Englandyihp 葉 pageyiu 要 want, requireyiu 要 must; need; have toyiu + money expression 要 want X amount, costs X amount. (i.e., the

asking price is X amount)yiu 要 going to, intend toyú 魚 fishyúhjyù [jek] 乳豬 roast suckling pigyúhlāu [gihn] 雨褸 raincoatyùhnbāt [jì] 鉛筆 pencilyùhnjíbāt [jì] [dī] 原子筆 ballpoint penyuhng 用 use

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