50 Cantonese Phrases Every Newcomer Should Know

Why Learn Some Cantonese?

You can absolutely get by in Hong Kong speaking only English. Signage is bilingual, the MTR announces stations in English, and most people in business and service industries speak at least basic English. But learning even a handful of Cantonese phrases will transform your daily experience.

Locals genuinely appreciate the effort. A simple "m goi" (thank you) to a taxi driver or a "nei hou" (hello) to your building security guard builds warmth and connection that English alone does not. You will get better service at local restaurants, easier interactions at wet markets, and a deeper sense of belonging in your neighbourhood.

Cantonese has six to nine tones (depending on how you count), which makes it famously challenging. But for basic phrases, you do not need to master every tone perfectly — context and your obvious effort will carry you most of the way.

Everyday Greetings

• Nei hou (nay ho) — Hello. The universal greeting.
• Zou san (jo san) — Good morning.
• Baai baai (bye bye) — Goodbye. Yes, this is literally "bye bye" with a Cantonese accent.
• M goi (mm goy) — Thank you / Excuse me / Please. The most useful word in Cantonese. Used when someone does you a service.
• Do ze (daw jeh) — Thank you. Used when receiving a gift or something of value.
• M hou yi si (mm ho yee see) — Sorry / Excuse me (apologetic).
• Dim a? (deem ah) — How are you? / How's it going?
• Gei hou (gay ho) — Fine / Good (in response to "dim a?")

Getting Around

• Bin dou? (been doe) — Where? As in, "where is this?"
• Ni dou (nee doe) — Here.
• Go dou (gaw doe) — There.
• Jyun (juen) — Turn.
• Jo (jaw) — Left.
• Yau (yow) — Right.
• Jik heui (jik hoy) — Go straight.
• Che jaam (che jaam) — Bus/MTR station.
• M goi, ngo seung heui... (mm goy, ngo seung hoy...) — Excuse me, I want to go to...
• Gei chin? (gay cheen) — How much money?
• Gei nooi? (gay noy) — How long (time)?

At Restaurants and Cafes

• Maai daan (my dan) — The bill, please. This is how you ask for the check at a restaurant.
• Yat wai (yat why) — One person (when entering a restaurant alone).
• Leung wai (leung why) — Two people.
• Ngo yiu... (ngo yew) — I want... (used when ordering).
• Ni go (nee go) — This one (pointing at the menu).
• Hou hou sik (ho ho sik) — Very delicious. Compliments to the chef.
• Baau la (bow la) — I'm full.
• Yat bui cha (yat booi cha) — One cup of tea.
• Yat bui seui (yat booi sooy) — One cup/glass of water.
• Dong la (dong la) — Iced. As in, "dong naai cha" for iced milk tea.
• Yit (yeet) — Hot (temperature).

Shopping and Markets

• Gei chin? (gay cheen) — How much? The question you will ask most at markets.
• Taai gwai la (tie gwy la) — Too expensive!
• Peng di la (peng dee la) — Can you make it cheaper? (The polite haggling phrase.)
• Ngo yiu ni go (ngo yew nee go) — I want this one.
• M sai (mm sigh) — No need / I don't want it.
• Yau mou...? (yow mo) — Do you have...?

Numbers

Numbers are essential for understanding prices, addresses, and floors:

• Yat — 1
• Yi — 2
• Saam — 3
• Sei — 4
• Ng — 5
• Luk — 6
• Chat — 7
• Baat — 8
• Gau — 9
• Sap — 10

Numbers combine logically: 11 is "sap yat" (ten-one), 20 is "yi sap" (two-ten), 25 is "yi sap ng" (two-ten-five). A hundred is "yat baak."

Useful Everyday Phrases

• Hou (ho) — Good / OK.
• M hou (mm ho) — Not good / Don't.
• Hai (hi) — Yes / Is / Correct.
• M hai (mm hi) — No / Is not.
• Ngo m sik gong gwong dung waa (ngo mm sik gong gwong dong wa) — I don't speak Cantonese.
• Nei sik m sik gong ying man? (nay sik mm sik gong ying mun) — Do you speak English?
• Ngo hai... (ngo hi) — I am from... (followed by your country).

Emergency Phrases

• Gau meng! (gow meng) — Help! (literally "save life")
• Giu ging chaat (gew ging chat) — Call the police.
• Giu gau seung che (gew gow seung che) — Call an ambulance.
• Ngo m syu fuk (ngo mm sue fook) — I feel unwell / I'm not feeling well.

Tips for Learning

The best way to learn Cantonese is to use it daily, even imperfectly. Start with "m goi" and "nei hou" — you will use these dozens of times a day. At cha chaan tengs (local cafes) and dai pai dongs (outdoor food stalls), try ordering in Cantonese. The staff will usually be delighted.

For structured learning, consider apps like Drops (which has a Cantonese course), or search YouTube for "Cantonese with Brittany" or "CantoneseClass101." If you want in-person classes, the Chinese University of Hong Kong and several private language schools offer Cantonese courses for expats.

Do not worry about getting the tones perfect at first. Context will usually make your meaning clear, and native speakers are generally patient and encouraging with learners. The effort itself is what matters most.