Cantonese for English speakers
This is a complete, hand-curated guide to learning Cantonese as an English speaker — tools, tutors, books, courses, SRS decks, media and vocabulary, migrated from the original LinguaCommons resource guide.
A1.1Beginner · Foundations
1. Absolute Beginners — Start Here
Cantonese is among the most challenging languages for native speakers of European languages. Progress requires sustained daily effort & patience — it is a long-term commitment, not a short-term project. If your motivation is rooted in genuine interest in Cantonese language & culture, that is your strongest asset.
Core Principles
- Study every day. Missing one session is acceptable; missing multiple consecutive days is not.
- Consistency outweighs session length, but sessions should not be too brief.
- Do not study Cantonese & Mandarin simultaneously — the overlap will cause confusion.
- Choose quality resources, commit to them, & do not give up.
Romanization Systems
Two systems are in common use:
- Jyutping — the standard used throughout this guide & recommended for new learners.
- Yale — an older system; still found in many published textbooks.
Key conversion tools are listed in the Online Tools section below.
A1.2Beginner · Building Basics
2. Online Tools
- Convert Jyutping ⇔ Yale — bidirectional romanization converter.
- Convert Traditional ⇔ Simplified — character set converter.
- Google Translate — useful for quick lookups; Cantonese quality is inconsistent.
- Cantonese to Jyutping — converts Chinese characters to Jyutping romanization.
- Audio Hijack — (macOS, Apple Silicon) — records system/Skype audio; useful for capturing tutor sessions.
3. Finding a Tutor
- iTalki — is the recommended platform for booking Cantonese lessons. It is a facilitated marketplace with filters for tutor origin, languages spoken, & hourly rate. Lessons can be scheduled flexibly, & tutors range from community teachers to professional instructors.
Two recommended Cantonese tutors on iTalki: Eva Wong (fafa) & Sharon Cen.
Referral: Use code f0Fcbf for $5 off your first lesson.
- Preply — a comparable alternative to iTalki; well-regarded by both tutors & learners.
- Inspirlang — Jade Jia Ying Wu offers private lessons independently. More expensive than iTalki/Preply, but valuable for advanced learners or those with specific interest in Taishanese. She is also the author of the Learn to Speak Cantonese beginner series (Volumes I & II).
A2.1Elementary · Everyday Language
4. Books
All titles below are recommended; Yale romanization unless noted.
- Learn to Speak Cantonese I — Jade Jia Ying Wu (Jyutping) — available via AbeBooks.
- Learn to Speak Cantonese II — Jade Jia Ying Wu (Jyutping) — available via Barnes & Noble.
- Basic Cantonese Grammar (Yale) — available via AbeBooks.
- Intermediate Cantonese Grammar (Yale) — available via AbeBooks.
- Cantonese Physical Dictionary (Yale) — useful reference for vocabulary lookup.
5. Complete Courses
- Cantonese101.com — a structured, comprehensive course with excellent vocabulary lists, SRS tools, & PDF materials. The platform is self-promotional, but the content quality is high. If committing to this course, the full premium tier is recommended to consolidate all study into one platform. Supplement with iTalki lessons. Expensive.
- FSI Cantonese — a free government-produced course. Solid audio content & structured lessons, but uses Yale exclusively & has a dated interface. A strong free option.
- Ling App — gamified language learning in the style of Duolingo. Strong dialogues, good for review & daily habit-building. Recommended.
- Mango Languages — falls between Cantonese101 & Ling in scope & approach. Solid course; may be accessible free via a library card. Choose one course platform & commit to it rather than switching between options.
- Inspirlang Courses — includes Boba Break Cantonese & additional structured lessons. Register on the website to access materials.
- Canto-Conversations — $100 for a curated set of native-speaker dialogues with vocabulary lists & transcripts. Good value for the content provided.
A2.2Elementary · Expanding Range
6. Spaced Repetition Systems
Anki
- Anki — ($25, one-time purchase; iOS/Android/Windows/macOS) is the most effective memorization tool available, using the SM2 or FSRS algorithm. It is highly customizable & applicable to any subject requiring memorization. Before building decks, review the AnKing YouTube channel for guidance on note types, card styling, & settings.
Also review AnKing's paid add-ons via their Patreon.
- FSI Cantonese Deck — vocabulary with native speaker audio.
- Cantonese TOCFL Level 2, 3, 4, 5–6 — example sentences, cloze cards, & graded vocabulary.
LingQ
- LingQ — (free & paid tiers) — best suited for intermediate learners. Combines a multilingual dictionary, native-speaker audio, AI-generated TTS, & an integrated SRS. Supports .EPUB import for reading Cantonese texts. Optimized for tablet use (iPad recommended). Tap unknown words while reading to get instant definitions & add them to your word bank.
7. Vocabulary Resources
- CantoPod 101 — Curated vocabulary lists & supplementary video content from CantoPod 101 — coming soon.
B1.1Intermediate · Independent Use
8. Podcasts
9. Cantonese Children's TV
Excellent for training your ear with natural, accessible speech.
B1.2Intermediate · Connected Language
10. Video Resources
- Super Easy Cantonese — beginner-friendly YouTube content.
- Easy Cantonese — part of the Easy Languages channel group; street interviews with subtitles.
- 5 Minute Cantonese — high-quality short lessons; covers all English→Cantonese videos. Also produces Italian→Cantonese content.
- Netflix — filter by original Cantonese audio for authentic immersion content.
11. Cantonese Cooking
- Made with Lau — a YouTube channel & website featuring traditional Cantonese recipes narrated with integrated Cantonese vocabulary & language content. Highly recommended for combining cultural immersion with practical cooking.
B2.1Upper-Intermediate · Fluency & Nuance
12. Cantonese Films
The following are recommended films with original Cantonese audio:
- Chungking Express (重慶森林, 1994) — Wong Kar-wai
- Happy Together (春光乍洩, 1997) — Wong Kar-wai
- In the Mood for Love (花樣年華, 2000) — Wong Kar-wai
- Fallen Angels (墮落天使, 1995) — Wong Kar-wai
- Hand Rolled Cigarette (手捲煙, 2020)
Note: Bruce Lee films are not available with Cantonese audio; releases are in Mandarin only.
13. Cantonese Music
Immersive listening to Cantonese music supports tonal & phonological awareness.
- My Little Airport 小機場
- C-All Star
- ToNick
- Jacky Cheung 張學友
- Andy Lau 劉德華
B2.2Upper-Intermediate · Consolidation
14. Online Dictionaries
- CC-Canto — Cantonese-English dictionary with Jyutping & audio.
- Cantonese.sheik.co.uk — comprehensive dictionary with grammar tools & romanization converters.
15. Chrome Extensions
- Inject Jyutping — overlays Jyutping romanization on Chinese characters in-browser.
- Language Reactor — enhances Netflix & YouTube with dual subtitles, pop-up definitions, & sentence mining.
16. Miscellaneous
- r/Cantonese — active community for questions, resources, & general Cantonese content.
- zbfgrk.org — Hong Kong–based bookstore with international shipping; good source for graphic novels & Cantonese-language books.
- YesAsia.com — importer of Hong Kong media; recommended for acquiring DVDs with original Cantonese audio tracks.
- Library Genesis — free eBook repository. Filter by language & file type (.EPUB) for texts compatible with LingQ import.
17. Contact & Feedback
- stevelegg2000@gmail.com — Feedback & additional resource suggestions are welcome. Contact: stevelegg2000@gmail.com
Last updated: 2024-10-24 · Author: Steven Legg
18. Core 100 Vocabulary
A starter vocabulary set covering the most useful Cantonese words for everyday conversation. All romanization uses Jyutping; all characters are Traditional. Multi-character entries are listed as a single vocabulary item. Numbers in the tone column follow the standard 1–6 scale (1 = high level, 6 = low entering).
Note: Cantonese has several words that differ entirely from their Mandarin equivalents — 冇 (mou5, "to not have"), 嚟 (lei4, "to come"), 嘢 (je5, "thing"), 屋企 (uk1 kei2, "home"), and 唔 (m4, "not") are among the most immediately useful.
Cantonese has two distinct "thank you" expressions — 唔該 for services, help, or anything ongoing (holding a door, handing you something), and 多謝 for gifts or genuine expressions of gratitude. Using them correctly is immediately noticed and appreciated by native speakers.
Pronouns
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 1 | 我 | 我 | ngo5 | I, me |
| 2 | 你 | 你 | nei5 | you (singular) |
| 3 | 佢 | 佢 | keoi5 | he / she / it (gender-neutral) |
| 4 | 我哋 | 我哋 | ngo5 dei6 | we, us |
| 5 | 你哋 | 你哋 | nei5 dei6 | you (plural) |
| 6 | 佢哋 | 佢哋 | keoi5 dei6 | they, them |
Core Verbs
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 7 | 係 | 系 | hai6 | to be (is, am, are) |
| 8 | 有 | 有 | jau5 | to have; there is/are |
| 9 | 冇 | 冇 | mou5 | to not have; there is/are not (Cantonese-specific) |
| 10 | 去 | 去 | heoi3 | to go |
| 11 | 嚟 | 嚟 | lei4 | to come (Cantonese form; cf. Mandarin 來) |
| 12 | 食 | 食 | sik6 | to eat |
| 13 | 飲 | 饮 | jam2 | to drink |
| 14 | 做 | 做 | zou6 | to do, to make |
| 15 | 睇 | 睇 | tai2 | to look at, to watch, to read |
| 16 | 聽 | 听 | ting1 | to listen, to hear |
| 17 | 講 | 讲 | gong2 | to speak, to say, to tell |
| 18 | 想 | 想 | soeng2 | to think; to want; to miss someone |
| 19 | 要 | 要 | jiu3 | to want; to need; will |
| 20 | 知 | 知 | zi1 | to know (a fact) |
| 21 | 識 | 识 | sik1 | to know (a person or skill); can, to be able to |
| 22 | 買 | 买 | maai5 | to buy |
| 23 | 賣 | 卖 | maai6 | to sell |
| 24 | 用 | 用 | jung6 | to use |
| 25 | 愛 | 爱 | oi3 | to love |
| 26 | 幫 | 帮 | bong1 | to help |
| 27 | 問 | 问 | man6 | to ask |
| 28 | 搵 | 揾 | wan2 | to look for; to find (Cantonese-specific) |
| 29 | 坐 | 坐 | co5 | to sit |
| 30 | 行 | 行 | haang4 | to walk; to go (on foot) |
| 31 | 返 | 返 | faan1 | to return, to go back |
| 32 | 開 | 开 | hoi1 | to open; to start; to turn on |
| 33 | 叫 | 叫 | giu3 | to be called/named; to call out; to order (food) |
| 34 | 住 | 住 | zyu6 | to live (somewhere); to stay |
| 35 | 學 | 学 | hok6 | to learn, to study |
| 36 | 笑 | 笑 | siu3 | to laugh, to smile |
Nouns
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 37 | 人 | 人 | jan4 | person, people |
| 38 | 朋友 | 朋友 | pang4 jau5 | friend |
| 39 | 家人 | 家人 | gaa1 jan4 | family members |
| 40 | 屋企 | 屋企 | uk1 kei2 | home (colloquial Cantonese; cf. 家 in Mandarin) |
| 41 | 學校 | 学校 | hok6 haau6 | school |
| 42 | 工作 | 工作 | gung1 zok3 | work, job |
| 43 | 錢 | 钱 | cin2 | money |
| 44 | 時間 | 时间 | si4 gaan3 | time |
| 45 | 日 | 日 | jat6 | day; sun |
| 46 | 星期 | 星期 | sing1 kei4 | week |
| 47 | 月 | 月 | jyut6 | month; moon |
| 48 | 年 | 年 | nin4 | year |
| 49 | 嘢 | 嘢 | je5 | thing(s), stuff (Cantonese-specific colloquial) |
| 50 | 地方 | 地方 | dei6 fong1 | place, location |
| 51 | 香港 | 香港 | hoeng1 gong2 | Hong Kong |
| 52 | 廣東話 | 广东话 | gwong2 dung1 waa2 | Cantonese language |
| 53 | 中文 | 中文 | zung1 man4 | Chinese language / Chinese writing |
| 54 | 飯 | 饭 | faan6 | cooked rice; a meal |
| 55 | 水 | 水 | seoi2 | water |
| 56 | 茶 | 茶 | caa4 | tea |
| 57 | 車 | 车 | ce1 | vehicle, car; (measure word for vehicles) |
| 58 | 路 | 路 | lou6 | road, path, route |
| 59 | 名 | 名 | ming4 | name; fame |
| 60 | 字 | 字 | zi6 | written character, word |
| 61 | 書 | 书 | syu1 | book |
| 62 | 手機 | 手机 | sau2 gei1 | mobile phone (lit. hand-machine) |
| 63 | 問題 | 问题 | man6 tai4 | question; problem |
| 64 | 語言 | 语言 | jyu5 jin4 | language |
Adjectives
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 65 | 好 | 好 | hou2 | good; very (also used as an intensifier) |
| 66 | 大 | 大 | daai6 | big, large |
| 67 | 細 | 细 | sai3 | small, little (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 小 xiǎo) |
| 68 | 多 | 多 | do1 | many, much, more |
| 69 | 少 | 少 | siu2 | few, little, less |
| 70 | 貴 | 贵 | gwai3 | expensive |
| 71 | 平 | 平 | peng4 | cheap, inexpensive |
| 72 | 靚 | 靓 | leng3 | beautiful, pretty, good-looking (Cantonese-specific) |
| 73 | 快 | 快 | faai3 | fast, quick |
| 74 | 慢 | 慢 | maan6 | slow |
| 75 | 熱 | 热 | jit6 | hot |
| 76 | 凍 | 冻 | dung3 | cold (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 冷 lěng) |
| 77 | 難 | 难 | naan4 | difficult, hard |
| 78 | 容易 | 容易 | jung4 ji6 | easy |
Numbers
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 79 | 一 | 一 | jat1 | one |
| 80 | 二 | 二 | ji6 | two |
| 81 | 三 | 三 | saam1 | three |
| 82 | 四 | 四 | sei3 | four |
| 83 | 五 | 五 | ng5 | five |
| 84 | 六 | 六 | luk6 | six |
| 85 | 七 | 七 | cat1 | seven |
| 86 | 八 | 八 | baat3 | eight |
| 87 | 九 | 九 | gau2 | nine |
| 88 | 十 | 十 | sap6 | ten |
Particles & Common Expressions
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 89 | 唔 | 唔 | m4 | not (Cantonese negation; replaces 不 bù) |
| 90 | 幾 | 几 | gei2 | how many; quite, rather (幾好 = pretty good) |
| 91 | 咁 | 咁 | gam3 | so, like that; in that case (Cantonese-specific) |
| 92 | 而家 | 而家 | ji4 gaa1 | now, right now (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 現在) |
| 93 | 今日 | 今日 | gam1 jat6 | today |
| 94 | 聽日 | 听日 | ting1 jat6 | tomorrow (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 明天) |
| 95 | 尋日 | 寻日 | cam4 jat6 | yesterday (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 昨天) |
| 96 | 先 | 先 | sin1 | first; (softens a request: 等我先 = let me first) |
| 97 | 啱 | 啱 | ngaam1 | correct, right; just now; to fit (Cantonese-specific) |
| 98 | 得 | 得 | dak1 | OK, can, acceptable (used as a standalone reply) |
| 99 | 唔該 | 唔该 | m4 goi1 | thank you (for a service or action); excuse me |
| 100 | 多謝 | 多谢 | do1 ze6 | thank you (for a gift or favour) |
Words 101–200
The second hundred extends into practical daily vocabulary: colours, body parts, food, directions, family terms, and the expressive sentence-final particles that give Cantonese so much of its personality. All characters in Traditional form.
Colours
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 101 | 紅色 | 红色 | hung4 sik1 | red |
| 102 | 藍色 | 蓝色 | laam4 sik1 | blue |
| 103 | 綠色 | 绿色 | luk6 sik1 | green |
| 104 | 黃色 | 黄色 | wong4 sik1 | yellow |
| 105 | 白色 | 白色 | baak6 sik1 | white |
| 106 | 黑色 | 黑色 | haak1 sik1 | black |
Body Parts
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 107 | 頭 | 头 | tau4 | head |
| 108 | 眼 | 眼 | ngaan5 | eye |
| 109 | 耳 | 耳 | ji5 | ear |
| 110 | 鼻 | 鼻 | bei6 | nose |
| 111 | 口 | 口 | hau2 | mouth |
| 112 | 手 | 手 | sau2 | hand |
| 113 | 腳 | 脚 | goek3 | foot; leg (Cantonese uses 腳 for both) |
| 114 | 心 | 心 | sam1 | heart; mind; feelings |
Food
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 115 | 麵 | 面 | min6 | noodles |
| 116 | 肉 | 肉 | juk6 | meat |
| 117 | 魚 | 鱼 | jyu4 | fish |
| 118 | 雞 | 鸡 | gai1 | chicken |
| 119 | 菜 | 菜 | coi3 | vegetable; dish; side dish |
| 120 | 湯 | 汤 | tong1 | soup; broth |
Time Expressions
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 121 | 朝早 | 朝早 | ziu1 zou2 | morning (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 早上) |
| 122 | 下晝 | 下昼 | haa6 zau3 | afternoon (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 下午) |
| 123 | 夜晚 | 夜晚 | je6 maan5 | evening; night (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 晚上) |
| 124 | 噚晚 | 㖊晚 | cam4 maan5 | last night (Cantonese-specific) |
| 125 | 下個星期 | 下个星期 | haa6 go3 sing1 kei4 | next week |
| 126 | 上個月 | 上个月 | soeng6 go3 jyut6 | last month |
Directions & Location
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 127 | 入面 | 入面 | jap6 min6 | inside (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 裡面) |
| 128 | 出面 | 出面 | ceot1 min6 | outside (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 外面) |
| 129 | 上面 | 上面 | soeng6 min6 | on top; above |
| 130 | 下面 | 下面 | haa6 min6 | below; underneath |
| 131 | 前面 | 前面 | cin4 min6 | in front |
| 132 | 後面 | 后面 | hau6 min6 | behind; at the back |
| 133 | 左 | 左 | zo2 | left |
| 134 | 右 | 右 | jau6 | right |
| 135 | 中間 | 中间 | zung1 gaan1 | middle; between |
More Verbs
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 136 | 打 | 打 | daa2 | to hit; to make (a call); to play (sports) |
| 137 | 跑 | 跑 | paau2 | to run |
| 138 | 飛 | 飞 | fei1 | to fly |
| 139 | 寫 | 写 | se2 | to write |
| 140 | 讀 | 读 | duk6 | to read (aloud); to study |
| 141 | 唱 | 唱 | coeng3 | to sing |
| 142 | 跳 | 跳 | tiu3 | to jump; to dance |
| 143 | 入 | 入 | jap6 | to enter; to go in; to insert |
| 144 | 出 | 出 | ceot1 | to exit; to go out; to come out |
| 145 | 起身 | 起身 | hei2 san1 | to get up; to wake up (Cantonese-specific) |
Family
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 146 | 爸爸 | 爸爸 | baa4 baa1 | father; dad |
| 147 | 媽媽 | 妈妈 | maa4 maa1 | mother; mum |
| 148 | 兄弟 | 兄弟 | hing1 dai6 | brothers; male siblings |
| 149 | 姐妹 | 姐妹 | ze2 mui6 | sisters; female siblings |
| 150 | 仔 | 仔 | zai2 | son; boy; (colloquial affectionate suffix) |
Question Words
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 151 | 點解 | 点解 | dim2 gaai2 | why? (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 為什麼) |
| 152 | 點樣 | 点样 | dim2 joeng2 | how? what's it like? (Cantonese-specific) |
| 153 | 幾時 | 几时 | gei2 si4 | when? what time? |
| 154 | 邊度 | 边度 | bin1 dou6 | where? (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 哪裡) |
| 155 | 邊個 | 边个 | bin1 go3 | who? which one? (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 誰) |
Weather & Environment
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 156 | 天氣 | 天气 | tin1 hei3 | weather |
| 157 | 落雨 | 落雨 | lok6 jyu5 | to rain (Cantonese; lit. 'falling rain') |
| 158 | 風 | 风 | fung1 | wind |
| 159 | 太陽 | 太阳 | taai3 joeng4 | sun; sunshine |
Numbers & Quantities
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 160 | 百 | 百 | baak3 | hundred |
| 161 | 千 | 千 | cin1 | thousand |
| 162 | 萬 | 万 | maan6 | ten thousand (used very commonly in everyday speech) |
| 163 | 零 | 零 | ling4 | zero; remainder |
| 164 | 幾多 | 几多 | gei2 do1 | how many; how much (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 多少) |
Adjectives
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 165 | 新 | 新 | san1 | new; fresh |
| 166 | 舊 | 旧 | gau6 | old; used; worn |
| 167 | 重要 | 重要 | zung6 jiu3 | important |
| 168 | 有趣 | 有趣 | jau5 ceoi3 | interesting |
| 169 | 開心 | 开心 | hoi1 sam1 | happy (lit. 'open heart'; very common in Cantonese) |
| 170 | 唔開心 | 唔开心 | m4 hoi1 sam1 | unhappy; sad |
Places
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 171 | 房間 | 房间 | fong2 gaan1 | room; bedroom |
| 172 | 廚房 | 厨房 | cyu4 fong2 | kitchen |
| 173 | 廁所 | 厕所 | ci3 so2 | toilet; bathroom |
| 174 | 超市 | 超市 | ciu1 si5 | supermarket |
| 175 | 醫院 | 医院 | ji1 jyun2 | hospital |
| 176 | 銀行 | 银行 | ngan4 hong4 | bank |
Clothes & Shopping
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 177 | 衫 | 衫 | saam1 | shirt; clothes (Cantonese colloquial; cf. Mandarin 衣服) |
| 178 | 褲 | 裤 | fu3 | trousers; pants |
| 179 | 鞋 | 鞋 | haai4 | shoes |
| 180 | 幾多錢 | 几多钱 | gei2 do1 cin2 | how much (money)? (essential shopping phrase) |
Expressions & Sentence-Final Particles
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 181 | 唔好意思 | 唔好意思 | m4 hou2 ji3 si1 | sorry; excuse me; I'm embarrassed (Cantonese-specific phrasing) |
| 182 | 唔緊要 | 唔紧要 | m4 gan2 jiu3 | never mind; it doesn't matter |
| 183 | 無所謂 | 无所谓 | mou4 so2 wai6 | doesn't matter; I don't mind; whatever |
| 184 | 係咁先 | 系咁先 | hai6 gam3 sin1 | that's all for now; see you (casual sign-off) |
| 185 | 係喎 | 系㖞 | hai6 wo3 | oh really? is that so? (surprise particle) |
| 186 | 喇 | 喇 | laa3 | sentence-final particle: completion or change of state |
| 187 | 囉 | 啰 | lo3 | sentence-final particle: obvious or resigned tone |
| 188 | 㗎 | 㗎 | gaa3 | sentence-final particle: assertion or emphasis (Cantonese-specific) |
| 189 | 即係 | 即系 | zik1 hai6 | that is; meaning; i.e. (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 就是說) |
| 190 | 唔係 | 唔系 | m4 hai6 | not; it's not; no (negation of 係) |
More Everyday Verbs
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 191 | 瞓覺 | 瞓觉 | fan3 gaau3 | to sleep (Cantonese; lit. 'fall into sleep') |
| 192 | 玩 | 玩 | waan2 | to play; to hang out; to have fun |
| 193 | 等 | 等 | dang2 | to wait (cf. Mandarin 等 děng) |
| 194 | 試 | 试 | si3 | to try; to taste; to test |
| 195 | 記得 | 记得 | gei3 dak1 | to remember |
| 196 | 忘記 | 忘记 | mong4 gei3 | to forget |
| 197 | 緊張 | 紧张 | gan2 zoeng1 | nervous; tense; urgent |
| 198 | 辛苦 | 辛苦 | san1 fu2 | hard work; tiring; (said to someone working: you've worked hard) |
| 199 | 小心 | 小心 | siu2 sam1 | be careful; take care |
| 200 | 加油 | 加油 | gaa1 jau4 | keep it up; you can do it; go for it (universal expression of encouragement) |
Words 201–300
The third hundred builds conversational depth: transport, technology, emotions, abstract concepts, and more Cantonese-specific expressions that distinguish the language from Mandarin. All characters in Traditional form.
Transport & Getting Around
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 201 | 地鐵 | 地铁 | dei6 tit3 | MTR / metro / subway |
| 202 | 巴士 | 巴士 | baa1 si2 | bus (loanword) |
| 203 | 的士 | 的士 | dik1 si2 | taxi (loanword; from 'taxi') |
| 204 | 飛機 | 飞机 | fei1 gei1 | airplane |
| 205 | 火車 | 火车 | fo2 ce1 | train |
| 206 | 單車 | 单车 | daan1 ce1 | bicycle (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 自行車) |
| 207 | 船 | 船 | syun4 | boat; ship |
| 208 | 站 | 站 | zaam6 | station; stop (bus/train) |
| 209 | 落車 | 落车 | lok6 ce1 | to get off (a vehicle) — Cantonese-specific phrasing |
| 210 | 上車 | 上车 | soeng5 ce1 | to get on (a vehicle) |
Technology & Communication
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 211 | 手機 | 手机 | sau2 gei1 | mobile phone; smartphone |
| 212 | 電腦 | 电脑 | din6 nou5 | computer |
| 213 | 網絡 | 网络 | mong5 lok3 | network; internet |
| 214 | 短訊 | 短讯 | dyun2 seon3 | text message; SMS |
| 215 | 打電話 | 打电话 | daa2 din6 waa2 | to make a phone call |
| 216 | 傳送 | 传送 | cyun4 sung3 | to send; to transmit |
| 217 | 相片 | 相片 | soeng3 pin2 | photo; photograph |
| 218 | 上網 | 上网 | soeng5 mong5 | to go online; to access the internet |
| 219 | 充電 | 充电 | cung1 din6 | to charge (a battery) |
| 220 | 密碼 | 密码 | mat6 maa5 | password; PIN |
Emotions & States of Mind
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 221 | 驚 | 惊 | geng1 | scared; startled; surprised (Cantonese-specific use) |
| 222 | 嬲 | 嬲 | nau1 | angry (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 生氣) |
| 223 | 煩 | 烦 | faan4 | annoyed; troubled; vexed |
| 224 | 肉緊 | 肉紧 | juk6 gan2 | nervous excitement; tension (colloquial Cantonese) |
| 225 | 感動 | 感动 | gam2 dung6 | moved (emotionally); touched |
| 226 | 後悔 | 后悔 | hau6 fui3 | to regret; to feel remorse |
| 227 | 擔心 | 担心 | daam1 sam1 | to worry; to be concerned |
| 228 | 放心 | 放心 | fong3 sam1 | to set one's mind at ease; don't worry |
| 229 | 傷心 | 伤心 | soeng1 sam1 | heartbroken; grieved |
| 230 | 驕傲 | 骄傲 | giu1 ngou6 | proud; arrogant |
Health & Body
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 231 | 病 | 病 | beng6 | ill; sick; disease |
| 232 | 頭痛 | 头痛 | tau4 tung3 | headache; head hurts |
| 233 | 發燒 | 发烧 | faat3 siu1 | to have a fever |
| 234 | 咳 | 咳 | kat1 | to cough |
| 235 | 流鼻水 | 流鼻水 | lau4 bei6 seoi2 | runny nose (lit. 'flowing nose water') |
| 236 | 藥 | 药 | joek6 | medicine; medication |
| 237 | 醫生 | 医生 | ji1 sang1 | doctor; physician |
| 238 | 護士 | 护士 | wu6 si6 | nurse |
| 239 | 手術 | 手术 | sau2 seot6 | surgery; operation |
| 240 | 休息 | 休息 | jau1 sik1 | to rest; to take a break |
Education & Work
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 241 | 老師 | 老师 | lou5 si1 | teacher |
| 242 | 同學 | 同学 | tung4 hok6 | classmate; fellow student |
| 243 | 考試 | 考试 | haau2 si3 | exam; to sit an examination |
| 244 | 功課 | 功课 | gung1 fo3 | homework; schoolwork |
| 245 | 報告 | 报告 | bou3 gou3 | report; to report |
| 246 | 會議 | 会议 | wui5 ji5 | meeting; conference |
| 247 | 公司 | 公司 | gung1 si1 | company; corporation |
| 248 | 老闆 | 老板 | lou5 baan2 | boss; employer |
| 249 | 同事 | 同事 | tung4 si6 | colleague; co-worker |
| 250 | 搵工 | 揾工 | wan2 gung1 | to look for a job (Cantonese-specific) |
Food & Drink (Extended)
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 251 | 茶樓 | 茶楼 | caa4 lau4 | teahouse; dim sum restaurant |
| 252 | 點心 | 点心 | dim2 sam1 | dim sum |
| 253 | 粥 | 粥 | zuk1 | congee; rice porridge |
| 254 | 麵 | 面 | min6 | noodles |
| 255 | 飯 | 饭 | faan6 | cooked rice; meal |
| 256 | 麵包 | 面包 | min6 baau1 | bread |
| 257 | 蛋 | 蛋 | daan2 | egg |
| 258 | 豆腐 | 豆腐 | dau6 fu6 | tofu; bean curd |
| 259 | 醬油 | 酱油 | zoeng3 jau4 | soy sauce |
| 260 | 凍飲 | 冻饮 | dung3 jam2 | cold drink (Cantonese ordering term) |
Nature & Environment
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 261 | 山 | 山 | saan1 | mountain; hill |
| 262 | 海 | 海 | hoi2 | sea; ocean |
| 263 | 河 | 河 | ho4 | river |
| 264 | 樹 | 树 | syu6 | tree |
| 265 | 花 | 花 | faa1 | flower |
| 266 | 草 | 草 | cou2 | grass; herb |
| 267 | 石 | 石 | sek6 | stone; rock |
| 268 | 地 | 地 | dei6 | ground; land; earth; place |
| 269 | 天空 | 天空 | tin1 hung1 | sky |
| 270 | 雪 | 雪 | syut3 | snow |
Abstract & Everyday Concepts
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 271 | 問題 | 问题 | man6 tai4 | problem; question; issue |
| 272 | 答案 | 答案 | daap3 on3 | answer; solution |
| 273 | 原因 | 原因 | jyun4 jan1 | reason; cause |
| 274 | 結果 | 结果 | git3 gwo2 | result; outcome; consequently |
| 275 | 方法 | 方法 | fong1 faat3 | method; way; approach |
| 276 | 機會 | 机会 | gei1 wui6 | opportunity; chance |
| 277 | 決定 | 决定 | kyut3 ding6 | to decide; decision |
| 278 | 計劃 | 计划 | gai3 waak6 | plan; project; to plan |
| 279 | 改變 | 改变 | goi2 bin3 | to change; change; alteration |
| 280 | 發展 | 发展 | faat3 zin2 | development; to develop |
Cantonese-Specific Expressions
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 281 | 搞掂 | 搞掂 | gaau2 dim6 | done; sorted; all settled (very common Cantonese) |
| 282 | 冇問題 | 冇问题 | mou5 man6 tai4 | no problem (Cantonese form) |
| 283 | 差唔多 | 差唔多 | caa1 m4 do1 | almost; more or less; about the same |
| 284 | 唔洗 | 唔洗 | m4 sai2 | no need to; don't have to (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 不用) |
| 285 | 係囉 | 系啰 | hai6 lo3 | exactly; that's right (emphatic agreement) |
| 286 | 梗係 | 梗系 | gang2 hai6 | of course; obviously (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 當然) |
| 287 | 唔知 | 唔知 | m4 zi1 | don't know (standard Cantonese negation of 知) |
| 288 | 話咁快 | 话咁快 | waa6 gam3 faai3 | in no time; before you know it (idiomatic) |
| 289 | 點都好 | 点都好 | dim2 dou1 hou2 | no matter what; either way; regardless |
| 290 | 一齊 | 一齐 | jat1 cai4 | together; at the same time |
Quantities, Money & Shopping
| # | Character | Simplified | Jyutping | Meaning |
|---|
| 291 | 平 | 平 | peng4 | cheap; inexpensive (Cantonese; cf. Mandarin 便宜) |
| 292 | 貴 | 贵 | gwai3 | expensive; noble; your (honorific) |
| 293 | 打折 | 打折 | daa2 zit3 | discount; on sale |
| 294 | 收據 | 收据 | sau1 geoi3 | receipt |
| 295 | 信用卡 | 信用卡 | seon3 jung6 kaat1 | credit card |
| 296 | 零錢 | 零钱 | ling4 cin2 | change (coins); small money |
| 297 | 貨 | 货 | fo3 | goods; merchandise; cargo |
| 298 | 訂 | 订 | deng6 | to order; to book; to subscribe |
| 299 | 送 | 送 | sung3 | to deliver; to give as a gift; to send |
| 300 | 準時 | 准时 | zeon2 si4 | on time; punctual |