Cantonese (Cantonese) is the colloquial language of Hong Kong residents.
Compiled by Lutfiana Wakhid et al. (DDHK News Editorial Team)
NUMBERS
1 = Yat
2 = Yi
3 = Sam
4 = Se
5 = Em
6 = Loc
7 = Jat
8 = Sir
9 = You
10 = Sap
Tens = Temple Size
11 = Sap Yat
12 = Sap Yi
13 = Sap Sam
20 = Yi Sap
23: Yi sap sam
30 = Sam Sap
39 = Sam sap you
40 = Se Sap
Hundreds: Pak
100 = Yat sir
104 = yes sir ling sei
108 = yes sir ling pat
116 = yes sir yat sap luk
119 = yes sir yat sap you
300 = sam sir
356 = sam sir em sap luk
1.000 = yat chin
1268 = yat chin yi sir luk sap pat
10.000: yat mhan
1/2 = pun / yat too
1/4 = sei fen sam
GREETINGS
Congratulations = Kung Hei
Good Morning = Caosan
Good Afternoon = Em on
Good Night = Man On
Welcome = Fung Ying
Good night = Co Dao
Goodbye = Pies Pies
Goodbye = Coi Kin
See you tomorrow = Pie, dingyat kin
Goodbye = Man Man Hang
Enjoy your meal = Jeng Man Man Sik / Jeng Man Yung
Happy new year = Sen Nin Fai Lok
Happy birthday = Sang Yat Fai Lok
DAILY REVIEWS
What's up = Lei ho / Lei homa
Thank you = To Ce
You're welcome = Em Sai Hak He
Sorry = Toi em cui
Excuse me = Emkoi
Please = Jeng
Please come in = Jeng Yap
Please drink = Jeng Yam
Please sit down = Jeng Joh
It's okay = Mo Man Thai / Mo Si
Please = Pongo
Please help me = Pongo emkoi
Yes = Yes
None = Mou
Yes = Hi
Not = Em Hi
No = Em
Don't want to = Em Yiu
May = No.
You can't = Em No
May not? = Em Tak a?
Like = Also i
Dislike = Em Also i
Like it or not? = Em Cung i?
Happy = Hoi Sam
Got it = Meng
Don't understand = Em Meng
Tofu = Chi
Don't know = Em Chi
Year = Nin
Moon = Yut
Date of Birth = Ho chut sai
PRONOUNS
I = Ngo
You / You = Lei
They = Goe tei
He = Goi
We = Ngo Tei
QUESTION MARK
What? = Mea / Mat Ye?
How much = Keito a
When = Fill
Who = Pingko a
Where = hi pin a
How = Team a
Which = Pinti a
How = Tim Yong
Why = Team Kai
How long? = Kei loi?
What time is it? = Kei team?
What's Your Name = Lei Kiu Mat Ye Meng?
Where are you from = Nei Hai Pin To Lai?
Is there any or not? = Do you want a?
Are you Romel? = Lei hamai Romel?
No, I am Asep = Emhai, ngo hi Asep
Where do you want to go = Lei yiu hoi pina?
I want to go to the bank = ngo yiu hoe nganhong
DATE
Date = Ho
What date? = Keito Ho a?
1 = Yat Ho
2 = YiHo
3 = Sam Ho
4 = Se Ho
5 = Em Ho
6 = Lok Ho
7 = Jat Ho
8 = Mr Ho
9 = You're Ho
10 = SapHo
11 = Sap Yat Ho
12 = Sap Yi Ho
13 = Sap Sam Ho
14 = Sap Se Ho
15 = Sap Em Ho
16 = Sap Lok Ho
17 = Sap Jat Ho
18 = Sap Pak Ho
19 = Sap You Ho
20 = Yi Sab Ho
21 = Yi Sap Yat Ho
22 = Yi Sap Yi Ho
23 = Yi Sap Sam Ho
24 = Yi Sap Se Ho
25 = Yi Sap Em Ho
26 = Yi Sap Lok Ho
27 = Yi Sap Jat Ho
28 = Yi Sap Pak Ho
29 = Yi Sap Kau Ho
30 = Sam Sap Ho
31 = Sam Sap Yat Ho
IDENTITY ASKING
What is your name = Lei kiu menga?
Who are you = Lei hai pingko a?
My name = Ngo kiu ...
Where do you come from? = Lei hi pinto a?
How old are you? = Lei keto soi a?
When to Arrive in Hong Kong? = Keisi lei to hi Hong Kong?
FAMILY
Father = What / Papa
Mother = Ama / Mama
Wife = Lobo
Husband = Lokung
Grandfather = Kungkung
Grandma = Bobo
Son = Cai
Daughter = Loi
Big Brother = Koko
Older Sister = Kace
Male sibling = Hingtai
Sibling Sister = Cimui
Niece = Piuce
Nephew = Piuko
Miss = Siu Ce
Master = Sing Sang
Maid = Kong Yan
RELIGION
Islam = Wui you
Catholic = Thin ju you
Kristen = To you
Buddha = Fat you
Hindu = Yan to you
SCHOOL
Kindergarten = yau ji yun
SD = Siu Hok
Middle school = coi cung hok
SMA = ko just hok
University = tai hok
Teacher = Lou si
Student = Hok sang
Stationery = cake man
VEGETABLE NAME
Rice = Mai
Corn = Suk mai
Peanuts = Fa sang
Vegetable = Choi
Fruit = Sang kwo
KINDS OF VEGETABLES
Vegetable = Choi
Celery (leaf) = Sai Gan
Celery sticks = Gan Choi
Lettuce = Sang Choi
Watercress = Sa Yong Choi
Cabbage / Cabbage = Ye Choi
Cauliflower = Ye Choi Fa
Sawi = Mr. Choi
Green Mustard = Choi Sam
Sawi Putih = Wong Nga Sir
Kailan = Kailan
Water spinach = Ong Choi
Spinach = Yin Choi
Sprouts / Sprouts = Nga Choi
Kaucai Leaf = You Chou
Seaweed = Ci Choi
Hair Vegetable = Fat Choi
Gambas / Oyong = Sing Kwa
Chinese pumpkin = Tung Kwa
Little Pumpkin = Ci Kwa
Cucumber = Jing Kwa
Timun Emas = Wong Kwa
Pare = Fu Kwa / Liong Kwa
Pumpkin Siam = Pat Sau Kwa / Hap Cong Kwa
Carrot = Hong Petals
Eggplant = Ai Kwa
White radish = Mr. Lopak
Green Radish = Jing Petals
Potatoes = Sucai
Tomato = Fan ge
Beans = Yuk Tau
Capri = Wan Tau
Broccoli = Sai Lan Fa
Water chestnut = Ma dhai
Lotus Root = Lin Ngau
NUTS
Peanuts = Tau
Long Beans = Tau Kok
Green Beans = Lok Tau
Red Beans = Hong Tau
Peanuts = Fa Sang
White beans = Pak Tau
Black Beans = Hak Tau
Kedelei beans = Wong Tau
Peas = Ong Tau
FRUIT NAME
Fruit = Sang ko
Apples = Beng Ko
Orange Orange = Jang
Tangerines = Thurs
Grapefruit = Sa Din Yau
Papaya = Muk Kwa
Durian = Lau Lin
Strawberry = Si to pele
Peers = Pele
Cherry = Je lei ci
Lychee = Lai Ci
Banana = Hiong Ciu
Longan = Longan
Pineapple = Polo
Pomegranate = Siek Lau
Guava = Fan Siek Lau
Watermelon = Sai Kwa
Mango = Mongko
Starfruit = Yeong Do
Rambutan = Hong Mo Tan
Grapes = Dai Ci
Jackfruit = Polo Mat
Melon = Mat Kwa
Sweet Fruit = Dim Sang ko
Tamarind Fruit = Sun Sang ko
Canned Fruit = Kundau Sang ko
Avocado = Ngau Yau Kok
Lime (lemon) = Leng mong
Korma = Hong Cou
VEHICLE NAMES
Bus Bear: Pasi
Small Bus: Siupa
School Bus: Hao Che
Car / vehicle: Che
Sedan: Si Ka Che
Motorcycle: Tin Tan Che
Pancal Bike: Ai Tan Che
Tram: Tin Che
Train: Fo Che
MTR: Tedit
MTR Station: Tedit Cam
Bus Terminal: Pasi Cam
Ride / Get In Car: Siong Che
Up: Tap
Get off the car: Lok Che
There's Down: Yao Lok
Get lost / lost / don't know the way: em now hangs
Taxi: Si tech
aircraft: Fe to
Sea Ship: Suin
Airplane ticket: To Biu
PLACE NAMES
Market: Kaisi
Miss: Nan Hong
Shop: Bodau
Supermarket: Jiu gab the jiong
Garden: Kung Yun
Pharmacy: Yuk Fong
Office: Kung Si
Post Office: Yau Cing Kuk
Consulate: Ling Si Kun
Immigration: Yim Man Kuk
Home: Ok ge
Restaurant: jan Deng / cau ka
Hotel: Cau Tim
Apartments: Jang Lau
Place: Te Fong
Ground floor of house building: Ok Ge Lao Ha
Floor 10: Sap Lau
Lower Floor: Lao Ha
Hospital: Yi Yun
Police Station: Jai Kun
Panti Jumpo: Lo Yan Yun
Library: Dai Sui Kun
School: Hok Hau
Garage: che Fong
Address: Tei Ci
Street: Hang
NAME OF DIRECTION
Utara: Mr. Pin
South: Nam Pin
West: Sai Pin
East: Tung Pin
DIRECTION NAME (STATE)
Above: Siong Pin
Bottom: Hapin
Right: Yau Pin
Left: Co Pin
Middle: Cung Kan
Sana: Koto / kopin
Here Li to
This: Liti
That: Koti
Next door: Brother Le
Far away: yun
Close: Bro
Front: Jin Pin
Back: Hau Pin
In: Loi Pin
Outside: Jut Pin
At: Hi
To: Hoe
And: Dong
Same: Yat yong
Straight: jek
Crooked: Wan
Height: Ko
Low: Ngai
Short: Tuin
Length: Jiong
Width: Fut
Narrow: Cak / Kan
In: Sam
Shallow: Jin
Weight: junks
Light Heng
Fat: Fei
Skinny: Sau
Just now
Old: You
Wait a minute: Yat can
Full: Mun
Blank: Hung
Thick "Hau
Thin: Pok
Rude: jo
Smooth: Yau / wak / soi
Rame: Jou
Quiet ; Hong
Pas: Ngam
Sagging: Song
WEATHER / DIN HEI
Summer: Ha Din
Winter: Tung Din
Autumn: Jau Din
Jun Din's Spring
Heat: Yit
It's so hot: Ho Yit
Cold: Tung
So cold, Ho Tung
Warm: Luin
Cool: Liong
Comfortable ; Sifuk
Fresh; Song
Eve: Din hey
Heat: Dinhei Yit
Cold: Dinhei Tung
Humidity: Din Hei Jiu Sap
Sunny Eve: Ho Din
Foggy: Yin Din
Windy: Hey Fong
Anngin Toned: Tai Fong
Hurricane: Dai Fong
Wet: Sap
Dry: Kon
Rain: Lok Yi
Heavy Rain: Lok Tai Yi
Raindrop2: Momo Yi
Flood: Soi Cam
Outside the heavy rain: jut pin lok tai yi
Outside the rain doesn't: jut pin lok em lok yi
it's not cold outside; jutpin tung em tung
Pitch darkness: Hak Mang mang
Dark: Right
Smoke / Fog: Yin
Dusty: Jan
Bright light: kwong
Sun: Dai Yong
Moon: Yut Liong
Star: Sing sing
Yong Kwong sunshine
Wind: Fong
Overcast Thin: Pok Mo
Temperature: Hey wen
Degree: to
17 degrees celsius: sap jat to
HOUR
Right: Also Team
A quarter: Sam Koci
Half: Pun
Minutes: Fen
Seconds: Miu
Example:
01.00: Yat Team Cung
02.07: Liong Team Jat Fencung
03.15: Sam Team Sam Koci / Sam Team Sam / Sam Team Sap fencung
04.30: Pun Team / Sam Sap Fencung Team.
05.45: Em Team you boat / Em Se Sap Team Em Fencung.
06.10: Lok Team Sap fencung / Lok Team Yi / Lok Team Liong Koci
07.50: Jat Em Sap Fencung Team / Jat Tap Sap Team
DAY
Monday: Singgei Yat
Tuesday: Singgei Yi
Wednesday: Singgei Sam
Thursday: Singgei Se
Friday: Singgei Em
Saturday: Singgei Lok
Sunday: Singgei Yaat.
MONTH
1. January: Yat Yuit
2. February: Yi Yuit
3. March: Sam Yuit
4. April: Se Yuit
5. May: Em Yuit
6. June: Lok Yuit
7. July: Jat Yuit
8. August: Pak Yuit
9. September: You're Yuit
10. October: Sap Yuit
11. Nofember: Sap Yat Yuit
12. December: Sap Yi Yuit
1 day: Yat Yaat
Week 1: Yat Ko Singgei / Yat Ko Lepai
1 Month: Yat Ko Yuit
1 Year: Yat nin
1st time: Yat Ji
1 Hour: Yat Ko Cung
1 week 1 time: Yat Ko Lepai Yat Ji
TELEPHONE
Telephone: Tin Wa
Hello: Wow
Search for: Wan
Who are you looking for? Jeng man, Lei Wan pingkoa?
Who you are: Lei hai pin wai
Please wait a moment: Tan tan sin / Yat can sin
He's not there: Goi em haito
You can call in 20 minutes: Lei hoyi yisap fencung coi ta le
No problem: Mo mandhai
I can: Ngo sik
Tell: Wa pei ci
I can tell him: Ngo wa pei goi ci
Call: Tatinwa
There's a phone looking for you: Yau yan ta tinwa wan lei
There's a message for him: yao mo fenfu pei goi
Phone card: Tinwa kat
Telephone to Indonesia: Ta tin wa fan yane
Long distance: Ta jong tinwa
Phone booth: Tinwa deng
Pick up the phone: Deng tin wa
HEALTH / DISEASE
Cough: Gat
Sneezing: Ta ha ji
Defecation: Tai Pin / O si
Urination: Siupin / O liu
Tired / tired: Kui / sanfu
Moon: Lai yuit king
Fever / chills: Fat siu
Itching: Han
Pregnant: Tai Dou
Nasal congestion: Pe ko sap
Influenza: Kam mo / Siong fong
Sprain: Lau Jan
The wound: Siong sauce
Bruises / wounds: Sau thou siong
Diarrhea: Dou O
Eye pain: Miss Dhong
Heart Disease: Sam cong peng
Headache: Dau dhong
Earache: Yi chai dhong
Sore throat: Houlung dhong
Misguided: Lau jan
Asma: Hey kun
Joint pain: Strong cit dhong
Constipation: Pin pei.
PARTS OF BODY
Eyebrows: Ngan me
Shoulder: Pok dau
Lips: coi
Chest: Hong
Chin: Ha pa
Forehead: Not okay
Teeth: Nga
Heart: Sam
Nose: Hey ko
Heart: Sam Cong
Finger: sau ci
Beard: Wuso
Feet: Kyeok
Head: Dau
Nail: ci hood
Mustache: Wuso
Sleeve: Sau
Neck: Keng
Face: Min
Thigh: tai pei
Lungs: fai
Waist: Yiu
Intestines: Jiong
VERB
Wake up: heisan
Wake up: fen zinc
Learned: Hok
Lie down: fen tai
Stand up: gei
Walk: Hang
Fight: Ta you
Kneeling: Kwai tai
Meet: Kin to
Talk: Kong / wa
Frown: Right min
Rest / sleep: yau sik / fenkau
Fast: Faiti
Sit: Jo
Jump: Diu
Eat: Sik
Bathing: Also liong
Angry: Lau
Put: Pies
Sees: Dhai
Calling: Kiu
Cooking: Jui
Reading: Tuk
Help: Pong sau
Takes: Ling / tai
buy: Mai
Gave: Pei
Cleaning: Cing Kit
Unlock: Hoi
Catch: Cuk
Cut: Jit
Hit: Ta
Twisting: Cuin
Plant: Cung
Crying: Ham
Interesting: Lai
Retract: Mang
Looking for: Wan
Shining; Cam
Wash ; Sai
Heard: Deng
Boiling: Kwan
Encourage: Ong
Take: Lok
Lifting: Ling
Deliver: Sung
Mopping: Mat tei
Understood: Yes sir
Chief: Cing
Replace: Wun
Frying: Cin / ca
Skinning: Mit
Lock: So
Sweep: So tei
Pick up: Cip
Drying clothes: Long Sam
Carrying: Liong siong
Writes: Se
Closed: San
Singing: Jiong ko
Iron Dong sam
Watering: Lam soi
Soak: Cam
Drink: Yam
Go: Hoi
Request: Yiu gau
Prayers: Paisan
Pray: Ge dou
Flying: Fe
Smiling: Siu
Sleep: Fenkau
Closed: San
ADJECTIVE
Sad: Em hoi sam
Fat: fei
Skinny: Sau
Dry: Kon
Wet: Sap
Blank: Hung
Full: Mun
Length: Jiong
Short: Tuin
Clever: Lek
Lazy: Lan to
Stupid:
Diligent: Ghan Lek
Low: Ngai
Height: Ko
Silent: Ching
Loud / noisy: Taiseng / jo
Sweet: Dim
Acid: Suin
Spicy: Lat
Bitter: Fu
Open: Hoi
Closed: San
CONJUNCTION
There: Yau
Is: Hi
Will: Wui
Or: Wace
This / that: Kam yong / timyong
Not yet: Me
Yes: No.
Not: Emhai
In the past: Sin
With / all: Dong mai
Only: Ci hau
Must: Yatting
This: Liti
That: Koti
Don't: Mo
Also / pun: To hi
If: Yu ko
Because: Yan Wei
Again: Co other
Next time: Ha ji
Then: It's ju
Then: Soyi
Want: Yiu
Maybe: Ho lang
Later: Yat can
Though: Geisat
Because: Yui yan
Already: Come on
Very: Hou
Like: Ho ji
Really: Can
Earlier: Dausin
Usually: Bengsi
But: Tan hi
TASTE
Taste: Meto
Sweet: Dim
Sour, sour: Suin
Bitter: Fu
Spicy: Lat
Salty: Ham
Fragrance: Heong
Basin: Jau
Salty: Dai ham / Kem ham
Too Sweet: Dai Dim / Hou dim
Heat: Yit
Warm: Luin
Cold: Tong
Good taste: Hou sik
Less salty: Emkau ham
Less Sweet: You dim
COLOR (Ngan sek)
Gray: Fui sek
Blue: Lam sek
Chocolate: Cafe sek
Dark / old: Sam
Green: Lok sek
Black: Sex rights
Yellow: Wong sek
Red: hong sek
Orange: Jang sek
White: Sir
Light / young: genie sek
Purple: ji sek
Pink: Fan hong sek
Luntur: Ex
BUMBU (Hong Liu)
Salt: Yim
Sugar: Dhong
Sugar: Sa Dhong
Brown Sugar: Bin Dhong
Rock Sugar: Ping Dhong
Pepper: Wu ciu
Pepper Powder: Wuciu fen
Garlic: Sun dhau
Shallots: Jung Dau
Onions: Yeung Jong
Brambang Leaves: Chung
JAhe: Conch
Ginger juice: Cap conch
Black pepper: Hak Ciu
Vinegar: Jo
Arak: Cao
Sesame Oil: Ci ma yaou
Sesame: Ci ma
Oyster sauce: Ho Yao
Tomato Sauce: ge cap
Soy Sauce: Sang Jao
Black soy sauce: Lo jau
Chili: Lat ciu
Powdered curry: Kale fen
Cornstarch: Tau fen
Wheat Flour: Min fen
Dried shrimp: Ha Kon
Honey: Mad dhong
Micin: Mei Cing
Dried dates: Ma co
Peanut Oil: Fasang Yau
Corn Oil: Sukmai Yau
Chicken Powder: Kai fen
