Common Expressions and Greetings in Cantonese
Cantonese (often referred to as 粵語 Jyutping: jyut6 jyu5) is a fascinating branch of the Chinese language family, predominantly spoken in Guangdong Province, parts of Guangxi, as well as Hong Kong and Macau. Thanks to diasporic communities, it also resonates across various parts of the world—from North America and Europe to Southeast Asia and Australia. Cantonese stands out not merely for its vibrant cultural expressions—such as Cantonese pop music, Hong Kong cinema, Cantonese opera (粵劇 jyut6 kek6), and exquisite cuisine—but also for its intricate phonetic system. Traditionally described with “nine tones” (six main tones plus three entering or “checked” tones), Cantonese can sound both melodic and challenging to new learners.
In this article, we will explore some of the most common expressions and greetings in Cantonese, illustrating how each phrase is written and pronounced using Jyutping romanization and tone numbers (1 to 6 for the main tones, plus 7, 8, 9 sometimes used for the entering tones). We will also examine the cultural nuances that make Cantonese such a fulfilling language to learn. If you aspire to master Cantonese systematically, we highly recommend you enroll in our specialized Cantonese courses for a thorough and interactive learning experience (link provided below).
1. Brief Overview: Cantonese and Its Nine-Tone System
1.1 Cultural and Linguistic Background
Cantonese is not just a means of communication; it is deeply intertwined with the customs, arts, and daily life of people in the Pearl River Delta, Hong Kong, and beyond. From morning “yum cha” (飲茶 jam2 caa4, literally “drink tea”) sessions to the iconic Hong Kong movie industry, Cantonese forms the pulse of local identity. Even for those who do not reside in Southern China, learning Cantonese can open doors to understanding a vast diaspora culture, whether you are in Vancouver’s Chinatown, London’s Soho, or Singapore.
1.2 The Nine Tones (Six Main Tones + Three Entering Tones)
Cantonese is often described as having six main tones, labeled as Tone 1 through Tone 6 in Jyutping:
- Tone 1 (High-Level)
- Tone 2 (High-Rising)
- Tone 3 (Mid-Level)
- Tone 4 (Low-Falling or Low-Level)
- Tone 5 (Low-Rising)
- Tone 6 (Low-Level)
Additionally, Cantonese features three “entering tones” for syllables ending in -p, -t, or -k (often labeled as Tone 7, 8, 9 in some references). These short, clipped tones add to the language’s uniqueness. While it might appear daunting, this tonal complexity brings a certain musical quality to Cantonese speech.
2. Common Cantonese Greetings (With Jyutping)
Below are some of the most frequently used greetings in Cantonese, annotated with Jyutping (and tone numbers in parentheses). Note that actual pronunciation may slightly vary between regions (e.g., Guangzhou vs. Hong Kong), but the forms below are broadly recognized as standard.
2.1 “Hello” — 你好 (nei5 hou2)
- Jyutping: nei5 hou2
- Meaning: A direct equivalent of “hello” in English.
- Tone Breakdown:
- nei5: Low-rising (Tone 5)
- hou2: High-rising (Tone 2)
- Usage: Used for a casual and polite greeting in most everyday situations.
2.2 “How are you?” — 你好嗎？(nei5 hou2 maa3)
- Jyutping: nei5 hou2 maa3
- Meaning: Literally “Are you well?”
- Tone Breakdown:
- nei5: Low-rising (Tone 5)
- hou2: High-rising (Tone 2)
- maa3: Mid-level (Tone 3)
2.3 “Have you been well?” — 你好冇？(nei5 hou2 mou5)
- Jyutping: nei5 hou2 mou5
- Meaning: Another way to say “How are you doing?” or “Are you good?”
- Tone Breakdown:
- nei5: Low-rising (Tone 5)
- hou2: High-rising (Tone 2)
- mou5: Low-rising (Tone 5)
2.4 “Good Morning” — 早晨 (zou2 san4)
- Jyutping: zou2 san4
- Meaning: Equivalent to “Good morning.”
- Tone Breakdown:
- zou2: High-rising (Tone 2)
- san4: Low-falling or Low-level (Tone 4)
2.5 “Long Time No See” — 好耐冇見 (hou2 noi6 mou5 gin3)
- Jyutping: hou2 noi6 mou5 gin3
- Meaning: Literally “Very long time, no see.”
- Tone Breakdown:
- hou2: High-rising (Tone 2)
- noi6: Low-level (Tone 6)
- mou5: Low-rising (Tone 5)
- gin3: Mid-level (Tone 3)
2.6 “How’s it?” — 點啊？(dim2 aa3)
- Jyutping: dim2 aa3
- Meaning: A common casual way to ask, “What’s up?” or “How’s everything?”
- Tone Breakdown:
- dim2: High-rising (Tone 2)
- aa3: Mid-level (Tone 3)
2.7 “Have You Had Tea Yet?” — 飲咗茶未啊？(jam2 zo2 caa4 mei6 aa3)
- Jyutping: jam2 zo2 caa4 mei6 aa3
- Meaning: A typical Cantonese way of greeting akin to “Have you eaten yet?” The phrase references the Cantonese custom of drinking tea (with dim sum) as a communal activity.
- Tone Breakdown:
- jam2: High-rising (Tone 2)
- zo2: Mid-level (Tone 3 with a changed final for perfective aspect)
- caa4: Low-falling (Tone 4)
- mei6: Low-level (Tone 6)
- aa3: Mid-level (Tone 3)
2.8 “Hey” — 喂 (wai3)
- Jyutping: wai3
- Meaning: Used to call someone’s attention or to answer the phone, similar to “hey” or “hello.”
- Tone Breakdown:
- wai3: Mid-level (Tone 3)
3. Polite Expressions and Courteous Phrases
3.1 “Thank You” / “Please” — 唔該 (m4 goi1)
- Jyutping: m4 goi1
- Meaning: One of the most frequently used expressions, meaning “thank you” (for a service or small favor) or “please” (when requesting something).
- Tone Breakdown:
- m4: Low-falling or Low-level (Tone 4)—the “唔” can have a short, abrupt sound.
- goi1: High-level (Tone 1)
3.2 “Thank You (for a Gift/Favor)” — 多謝 (do1 ze6)
- Jyutping: do1 ze6
- Meaning: Used to express gratitude for a more substantial gift, favor, or compliment.
- Tone Breakdown:
- do1: High-level (Tone 1)
- ze6: Low-level (Tone 6)
3.3 “I’m Sorry” — 對唔住 (deoi3 m4 zyu6)
- Jyutping: deoi3 m4 zyu6
- Meaning: A more formal apology akin to “I’m sorry.”
- Tone Breakdown:
- deoi3: Mid-level (Tone 3)
- m4: Low-level (Tone 4)
- zyu6: Low-level (Tone 6)
3.4 “Excuse Me / Sorry (Light)” — 唔好意思 (m4 hou2 ji3 si1)
- Jyutping: m4 hou2 ji3 si1
- Meaning: Literally “not good meaning,” often used to say “Excuse me” or a lighter form of apology.
- Tone Breakdown:
- m4: Low-level (Tone 4)
- hou2: High-rising (Tone 2)
- ji3: Mid-level (Tone 3)
- si1: High-level (Tone 1)
3.5 “It’s Alright / Don’t Worry” — 唔緊要 (m4 gan2 jiu3)
- Jyutping: m4 gan2 jiu3
- Meaning: Corresponds to “It doesn’t matter,” “No worries,” or “It’s okay.”
- Tone Breakdown:
- m4: Low-level (Tone 4)
- gan2: High-rising (Tone 2)
- jiu3: Mid-level (Tone 3)
4. Common Daily Expressions
4.1 “No Problem” — 冇問題 (mou5 man6 tai4)
- Jyutping: mou5 man6 tai4
- Meaning: “No problem,” often used to reassure someone you can handle a request.
- Tone Breakdown:
- mou5: Low-rising (Tone 5)
- man6: Low-level (Tone 6)
- tai4: Low-falling (Tone 4)
4.2 “Very Impressive” — 好犀利 (hou2 sai1 lei6)
- Jyutping: hou2 sai1 lei6
- Meaning: Means “very awesome,” “extremely impressive,” or “incredible.”
- Tone Breakdown:
- hou2: High-rising (Tone 2)
- sai1: High-level (Tone 1)
- lei6: Low-level (Tone 6)
4.3 “Take Your Time” — 慢慢嚟 (maan6 maan6 lai4)
- Jyutping: maan6 maan6 lai4
- Meaning: “No rush,” “take it slowly,” or “go at your own pace.”
- Tone Breakdown:
- maan6: Low-level (Tone 6)
- maan6: Low-level (Tone 6)
- lai4: Low-falling (Tone 4)
4.4 “Time to Knock Off / We’re Done” — 收工喇 (sau1 gung1 laa3)
- Jyutping: sau1 gung1 laa3
- Meaning: “We’re finished with work,” “knock-off time,” or “done for the day.”
- Tone Breakdown:
- sau1: High-level (Tone 1)
- gung1: High-level (Tone 1)
- laa3: Mid-level (Tone 3, sentence-final particle)
4.5 “Bye-bye” — 拜拜 (baai3 baai3)
- Jyutping: baai3 baai3
- Meaning: Casual way to say “goodbye,” used especially among friends or in informal settings.
- Tone Breakdown:
- baai3: Mid-level (Tone 3)
- baai3: Mid-level (Tone 3)
5. Why Learn Cantonese?
5.1 Deep Cultural Immersion
- Cuisine and Lifestyle: Being able to say “飲咗茶未啊？(jam2 zo2 caa4 mei6 aa3)” lets you fully embrace the tradition of yum cha—a social event revolving around tea and dim sum.
- Arts and Entertainment: Cantonese opera, beloved Hong Kong movies, and Cantopop music all carry linguistic nuances best appreciated in their original language.
5.2 Broader Social and Professional Opportunities
- Global Cantonese Communities: Whether in Toronto, Sydney, or Singapore, large Cantonese-speaking communities abound. Learning to speak their language can foster friendships and professional networks.
- Multilingual Advantage: In regions like Hong Kong or Macau, Cantonese often interplays with English and Mandarin, giving you an extra linguistic edge in business and travel.
5.3 Practical Learning Tips
- Immersive Media: Watch Hong Kong dramas, films, or variety shows in Cantonese; listen to classic and contemporary Cantopop. This helps your ear adapt to tones and rhythms.
- Practice Makes Perfect: Try to speak daily with native speakers, language exchange partners, or at local Cantonese corners (if available).
- Structured Courses: While self-learning works to some extent, enrolling in a systematic program ensures correct tone production, robust grammar understanding, and personalized feedback.
6. Recommended Cantonese Course for Systematic Mastery
If you are serious about mastering greetings like “你好 (nei5 hou2)” and everyday expressions such as “唔該 (m4 goi1)”, “多謝 (do1 ze6)”, or “對唔住 (deoi3 m4 zyu6)”, we highly encourage you to join a professional Cantonese course. This approach accelerates your learning by offering tailored lessons, practice sessions, and cultural insights.
6.1 Course Highlights
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Covering all essential aspects of Cantonese—from pronunciation drills (focusing on nine tones) to vocabulary, grammar, and real-life situational dialogues.
- Interactive Practice: Role-playing exercises, group discussions, and constant feedback from experienced instructors.
- Flexible Learning Modalities: Both online and in-person classes are available, suiting different schedules and learning styles.
- Rich Cultural Exposure: Organized activities include Cantonese film appreciation, dim sum gatherings, and more—ensuring you learn the language in authentic, engaging contexts.
Ready to kickstart your journey? Check out and enroll in our Cantonese course here:
https://nlsnorwegian.no/learn-cantonese/
By signing up, you’ll gain access to structured lessons and an active community of fellow learners, all aiming to build confidence in speaking Cantonese with natural ease.
7. Further Encouragement and Conclusion
Mastering Cantonese is about more than just memorizing phrases; it’s about engaging with a vibrant culture and a global community of speakers. Whether you want to watch Hong Kong dramas without subtitles, belt out your favorite Cantopop songs, or simply travel and chat with locals in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, or Macau, the language is your gateway.
From the very first greeting—“你好 (nei5 hou2)”—to friendly expressions like “好耐冇見 (hou2 noi6 mou5 gin3)” and parting words “拜拜 (baai3 baai3)”, the joy of learning Cantonese lies in discovering its lively tones and rich expressions. With consistent practice and exposure, seemingly complex pronunciations become second nature.
Should you wish to systematically refine your skills, be sure to enroll in our Cantonese program—a proven way to fast-track your proficiency. Remember, a professional course can provide real-time correction on those tricky tones (like distinguishing between tone 2 and tone 5) and help you build a robust foundation in grammar and everyday usage.
https://nlsnorwegian.no/learn-cantonese/
We hope this overview of Common Expressions and Greetings in Cantonese inspires you to pursue deeper learning. Embrace the nine-tone system, explore the local culture, and watch how your new language skills bridge connections and spark conversations around the world. Regardless of where you start, the journey in Cantonese is a fulfilling one—complete with delicious food, lively banter, and timeless entertainment. Good luck, and “慢慢嚟 (maan6 maan6 lai4)!”
