UC Berkeley

Spring 2008

Cantonese Decal
Beginning
Student Edition

Facilitators:
Jeannie Fong
&
Mel Lo
.:: ASUC Sponsored - Handicap / Wheelchair accessible ::.

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Introduction
Welcome to the Cantonese De-cal!
The Chinese language has many different dialects, Cantonese is one such
dialect. It has evolved with time and the addition of new vocabulary and new slang
terms. While it is mostly a spoken dialect, newspapers, magazines and other media do
make use of the written form of Cantonese, which is made up of a mixture of standard
Chinese characters and Cantonese characters. The Cantonese characters, like much of
the Chinese written language, are often based on sounds, though not in the way of an
alphabet. Cantonese is a tonal language with nine tones, making the differentiation
between words often difficult to distinguish to the untrained ear. At the same time, the
tonal quality of the language combined with the finite number of pronunciations make
this dialect particularly conducive to puns.
Cantonese is widely spoken not only in Guangdong province, but also in Hong
Kong and Macau, as well as throughout various Chinese communities in the world.
Movies and music in this dialect are a major genre of popular culture particularly in
Asian communities. Most notable in this genre dubbed Canto-pop are movies and
popular music originating from Hong Kong with its own unique character.
Through this De-cal, we hope that you will gain some useful conversational skills
and an appreciation for the singular individuality of the Cantonese dialect. Most
importantly, we hope that you have an enjoyable experience. Remember, the key to
learning a language is confidence and practice; dont be afraid to try out phrases and
words learned in class!

Beginning and Intermediate Lessons written by Gary Lee

Edited by Jeannie Fong Fall 2007 / Spring 2008

Facilitators: Mel Lo & Jeannie Fong

ASUC Sponsored handicap / wheelchair accessible

Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Cantonese DeCal Beginning / Intermediate (2 units)

Course meeting times and rooms:
Beginning: MW 5-6:30 PM -> 234 Dwinelle
TuTh 5-6:30 PM -> Class 1: 174 Barrows
Intermediate: MW 5-6:30 PM -> 2066 VLSB
TuTh 5-6:30 PM -> 175 Barrows
Faculty Sponsor: Sau-Ling Wong
Course Coordinator: Jeannie Fong & Mel Lo
Course Website: http://www.ocf.berkeley.edu/~canto/
Instructors:
E-mail address:

Class 2: 185 Barrows

Prerequisites: There are no prerequisites to the beginning course. However, we do not encourage native
Cantonese speakers to join the class. The class is tailored to students who have little or no knowledge of the
language.
For the intermediate course, students can either:
1. have taken the beginners course
2. have some exposure (from parents, friends, and various types of media), and be able to at least
introduce themselves in Cantonese
Introduction: Students might want to take this class because:
Although mainland China is enjoying the economic spotlight, Hong Kong is still one of the major
economic powerhouses of China, and Cantonese is heavily spoken there.
Many students who already speak Mandarin might understand Cantonese, but does not know how to
speak it.
Students might simply want to learn another language!
Whatever the reason, we are willing to teach students who have the curiosity and motivation to learn
Cantonese
Purpose & Objectives: This course is solely for the basis to learn how to hold a conversation in Cantonese.
Students will work in groups to practice Cantonese with teaching assistants, and will be given both written and
visual material to work with. This class will also cover aspects of Cantonese culture and how they differ from
other Chinese cultures. The main goal for this course is to have students hold a simple conversation in
Cantonese.
Course Organization: We will occasionally have students perform skits simulating practical everyday
situations. In addition, field trips will be utilized in order to enhance their understanding of Cantonese culture.
Lastly, music and video clips will also be incorporated into the lesson plans.
Materials: Course reader and additional handouts
Grading Scheme: Since this is a conversational course, active participation will be expected. This is a P/NP
[pass / not pass] course, and students can take from 1-2 units (Coursework and attendance are the same no
matter how many units you choose). There are two 1.5 hour sessions per week.
Below are the percentages of each category:
50% participation students are required to participate in skits, practice out loud in class, and raise
questions, if any. Since this is a conversational class, STUDENTS CANNOT BE ABSENT MORE THAN
2 TIMES.
Facilitators: Mel Lo & Jeannie Fong
ASUC Sponsored handicap / wheelchair accessible

Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Students can have at most 2 unexcused absences.

Students must inform instructors ahead of time (24 hrs before class, unless its an emergency) if
they need to be absent in order for the absence to be excused.
Students more than 15 minutes late to class will receive a tardy.
Students with excess absences/tardies will also risk receiving a NP for the class.

30% homework and weekly quizzes students are to take weekly quizzes at the second session
about last weeks material. These quizzes can be either oral or listening

10% cultural presentation all students are required to present about Hong Kong / Cantonese
culture. More details will be released later in the course

10% final exam the final is comprehensive it will require students to perform a skit or take an
oral/listening exam. Format will be determined by instructors

As we are expecting many students to have interest in both the beginning and intermediate course, students
are required to turn in application forms at enrollment session in order to be considered enrollment. Attendance
on the first day of class is also required. Students may be dropped from the class if they are absent on the first
day.

The cultural presentations are individual / pair presentations about any Chinese or Hong Kong cultural
issues of students interests. More information will be given to students later in the course.

The midterm and final is cumulative and will have two components oral and written.

**Students are to abide by the academic code of conduct even in a DeCal class. Plagiarism will result in a
non-passing grade.
Tentative Class Schedules:
Beginning Level:
Week 1: Course overview, introduction, basic phrases (greetings)
Week 2: Lesson 1: Introductions
Week 3: Lesson 2: Introductions part II
Week 4: Quiz 1 & Activities
Week 5: Lesson 3: Family
Week 6: Lesson 4: Date & Time
Week 7: Midterm & Activities
Week 8: Presentations
Week 9: Lesson 5: Hobbies
Week 10: Quiz 2 & Activities
Week 11: Lesson 6: Transportation
Week 12: Review and Final
Intermediate Level:
Week 1: Course overview, introduction, basic phrases (greetings)
Week 2: Lesson 1: Introductions
Week 3: Lesson 2: Dining & Lesson 3: School Life
Week 4: Quiz 1 & Activities
Week 5: Lesson 4: Shopping
Week 6: Lesson 5: Going out with friends
Week 7: Midterm & Activities
Week 8: Presentations
Week 9: Lesson 6: Music
Week 10: Quiz 2 & Activities
Week 11: Lesson 7: Movies
Week 12: Review and Final
Facilitators: Mel Lo & Jeannie Fong
ASUC Sponsored handicap / wheelchair accessible

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Pronunciation
The Cantonese pronunciation in this book is romanized using the Yale system,
which is one of the main Romanization schemes used for the instruction of Cantonese
for foreign students. Below is the layout of the Yale system with the corresponding
transcriptions in the International Phonetic Alphabet.
Initial Consonants
Yale
b
p
m
f
d
t
n
l
g
k
ng
h
j
ch
s
y
gw
kw
w

IPA
p
ph
m
f
t
th
n
l
k
kh

h
ts
tsh
s
j
kw
kwh
w

Vowels
Yale
i
yu
u
e
o
eu
a (with final)
a/aa
iu
eui
ui
ei
oi
ou
ai
au
aai
aau

IPA
i:
e (before ng, k)
y:
u:
o (before ng, k)
:
:
oe:
(before n, t)

a:
iw

u
ej
oj
ow
j
w
a:j
a:w

Final Consonants
Yale
m
n
ng
p
t
k

IPA
m
n

p
t
k

Notes: (1) The consonants (except for ch and j) are identical to their pronunciations in
English. (2) The consonant [y] + vowel [yu]
[yu], example: yu fish. (3) The
consonants m and ng may also occur as independent syllables.
Tones
Cantonese is a tonal language, which means that a syllable pronounced at
different pitches indicates a different word. There are traditionally 9 basic (lexical) tones
in Cantonese 6 distinctive tones and 3 for consonants ending in p, t, or k. In addition,
there are contexts in which a word changes its basic tone due to morphological or
semantic reasons.
The tones in this book will be marked after the syllable with the numbers 1-6,
which denote the respective tones listed in the chart below. Pitch values are based on
Facilitators: Mel Lo & Jeannie Fong
ASUC Sponsored Handicap / wheelchair accessible

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

the 5-point scale, with 5 being the highest pitch and 1 being the lowest pitch. (Note: For
those who may have learned Yale, it traditionally uses accent marks and the letter h
instead of numbers; however, this course will use numbers.)
Tones (illustrated with the syllable si)
Tone
Pitch
Description
Number
1
55
High level
2
35
High rising
3
33
Mid level
4
21
Low level
5
23
Low rising
6
22
Low level
Tones with p, t, k finals
Tone
Pitch
Number
1
5
3
3
6
2
Changed tones:
Examples:
mun4 door
dip 6 dish
geng3 mirror
maan3 slow

Example Word

English Meaning

si 1
si 2
si 3
si 4
si 5
si 6

Silk
Feces
To try
Time
Market
A matter

Description

Example Word

English Meaning

High level
Mid level
Low level

sik 1
sit 3
sik 6

To know
Sit (a surname)
To eat

hau6 mun2 back door; chin4 mun2 front door

fei1 dip2 Frisbee (lit. flying dish)
ngaan5 geng2 eyeglasses
maan3 maan1 slowly (adverb)

Note: In certain areas such as Guangzhou, there also exists a high-falling tone (53),
which is not considered distinct from the Tone 1 (high-level 55), due to free variation
among speakers. Therefore, this tone will not be marked in this text.
Pronunciation Variations
Due to ongoing sound change in Cantonese, certain sounds may be pronounced
differently depending on speaker. The effect of such changes is leading to the loss of
certain sound distinctions. Generally speaking, younger speakers, especially in Hong
Kong, tend to have this pronunciation, dubbed lazy speech. Here is a list of common
variations you may encounter:
1) Loss of initial ng-, example: ngo5 I
o5
2) Initial n
l, example: nei5 you
lei5
3) Syllabic ng
m, example: ng5 five
m5 five
4) Initial gw
g before o or u: gwok3 country
gok3, gwo3 to pass

go3
5) Final ng
n, example: saang1 live
saan1
6) Final k
t, example: baak3 hundred
baat3

Facilitators: Mel Lo & Jeannie Fong

ASUC Sponsored Handicap / wheelchair accessible

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Pronunciation Tips
These tips are meant to be approximations, since actual pronunciation may vary.
Remember that Cantonese has dialectal variation*, just as English has dialectal
variation. So, even the English used here is not the same with all speakers. Imitating
what you hear will be most helpful.
Consonants
Initial consonants are pronounced similarly as they would be in English, with the
exception of j/ch
Consonants
b
p
m
f

Sound in English
b in bat
p in pat
m in mat
f in fat

Consonants
ng
h
j
ch

d
t
n
l
g
k

d in dad
t in tack
n in no
l in low
g in game
k in kid

s
y
gw
kw
w

Sound in English
like ng in sing
h in ham
ds in dads; close to j in jeep
ts in rats; close to ch in
cheap
s in see
y in yes
gu in the name Guam
qu in quite, queen
w in wait

Final consonants are also pronounced similarly as they would be in English, that means
they arent released (no puff of air) at the end.
Consonants
p
t
k

Sound in English
p in map
t in mat
k in tick

Consonants
ng
m
n

Sound in English
ng in sing
m in ram
n in soon

Vowels
Vowels are a bit tougher, some sounds are not apparent in English, and some may not
exist.
Consonants
i

Sound in English
ee in meet

Consonants
eu

i (before k ng)
yu

eu before t, n
a with final

u
u (before k, ng)

i in tick
like German ii; make it by
rounding ee in meet
oo in moon
oo in cook

e
o
ou
ai
aai
aau

e in end
~o in British Eng pork
ow in row
i in night
i in high
ow in cow

eui
au
ui
ei
oi
ew

Facilitators: Mel Lo & Jeannie Fong

ASUC Sponsored Handicap / wheelchair accessible

a/aa
iu

Sound in English
~ i in British Eng dirt; make it
by rounding e in end
make it by rounding i in tick
u in duck
a in father
close to English Eww!
(showing disgust)
ou in out
ey in hey!
oy in boy
-

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Pronunciation Practice
Basic Syllables
-a
ba pa ma fa

da

ta

na la ga ka nga ha

-e
be

pe

me

fe

ne

le

-i
ni

li

ji

chi

si

yi

-o
Bo

po

mo

fo

Finals p/-t/-k
di
dip
dit

do

to

lo

ge

go

ko

gwa

kwa

wa

ke

je

che

se

-u
fu

gu

ku

wu

ngo

ho

gwo

Finals n/-m vs ng
din
dim
san
sam

dik

ja

wo

cha

sa

ya

ye

jo

cho

so

sang

Vowels w/multiple pronunciations: -i, -u, -eu

Pay attention to bracketed words
si
sip/sit
sim/sin
[sik/sing]

Long vs Short a: -a/-aa -ai/aai, -au/-aau

Long in brackets
sat
[saat]
sang [saang]
bak
[baak]

wu

wut

wun

[fuk/fung]

sai

[saai]

lap

seu

seut

seun

[seuk/seung]

jau

[jaau]

kau/gau

Difficult Vowels
-yu
yu
syu
jyu

jyut

tyut

-ui
wui

pui

bui

gui

mui

Other Vowels
-ou
dou
hou
mou
-iu
giu

miu

piu

-ei
bei
chiu

syut

nei

hyut

-eui
seui

jeui

-ew
dew

jew

sei

-oi
hoi

[laap]

keui

heui

goi

noi

bat

[kaau]/[gaau]

deui

teui

liu

References
Hutton, C., & Bolton, K. (2005). A Dictionary of Cantonese Slang. Singapore: Singapore
University Press.
Matthews, S., Yip, V. (1994). Cantonese: A Comprehensive Grammar. Rutledge: New York.

Facilitators: Mel Lo & Jeannie Fong

ASUC Sponsored Handicap / wheelchair accessible

[baat]

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Numbers
0 Zero
1 One
2 Two
3 Three
4 Four
5 Five
6 Six
7 Seven
8 Eight
9 Nine

ling4
yat1
yi6
leung5 (before noun/counter)
saam1
sei 3
m5
luk6
chat1
baat3
gau2

10 Ten
11 Eleven
12 Twelve
20 Twenty
30 Thirty
100 One Hundred
1,000 One Thousand
10,000 Ten thousand
-th
half

sap6
sap1 yat1 Lit. ten and one
sap1 yi6 Lit. ten and two
yi6 sap6 Lit. two tens
ya6 (colloq short form)
saam1sap6; sa1 a6 colloq
yat1 baak3
yat1 chin1
yat1maan6
dai6 + (number)
bun3

Numbers from 10 to 99 are formed by multiplying tens, eg. 52 = 5 x 10 + 2

52
fifty two

m5 sap6 yi6
Short Forms
6

(20) is commonly pronounced ya (or ye ) instead of yi sap , provided it is

followed by another number, a measure word, or a noun

6

(10) sap can be shortened to a in numbers from 31 to 99, when it is followed by

another number or measure word, or a noun.

3

(41) sei sap yat

or

sei3 a6 yat1

Similarly, you can say sa1 a6 for saam1 sap6 when it is followed by another number,
a measure word, or a noun
1

(38) saam sap baat

or

sa1 a1 baat3

Numbers and the Tones of Cantonese

Since the tone values of each of the Cantonese Numbers 0-9 are different, they can be used to
remember the tones in Cantonese.
Tone Description
Number w/ corresponding tone
3 saam 1
1st
55 high level
2nd
35 high rising 9 gau 2
4 sei 3
3rd
33 mid level
th
0 ling 4
4
21 low falling
th
5 ng 5
5
23 low rising
2 yi 6
6th
22 low level
short tones with -p/-t/-k endings
1 yat 1
1st
5 high
rd
8 baat 3
3
3 mid
6 luk 6 or 10 sap 6
6th
2 low
Again, the sequence is 3-9-4-0-5-2, each representing the tones 1 to 6, and then 1-8-6 for the
short tones 1, 3, and 6.
Facilitators: Jeannie Fong & Mel Lo
ASUC Sponsored Handicap / Wheelchair accessible

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Common Phrases
Hey! wai/wei6

Hello? (on the phone) wai/wei2

How are you/Whats up? dim2 a3?

Hello (fml.) nei5 hou2

How are you? (fml.) nei5 hou2 ma3?

How have you been lately? ni1paai4 dim2 a3? or jeui3gan6 dim2 a3?
How have you been lately? (fml.) ni1paai4/jeui3gan6 gei2 hou2 ma? /
Good morning jou2san4
Bye! baai1baai3

Good night jou2tau2

(fml.) joi3gin3

See you later! chi4di1gin3

See you tomorrow! ting1yat6 gin3

My name is ngo5 giu3____ ___

I'm... years old ngo5_____seui3 ...

I'm from... ngo5 hai2 _____ lei4 ga3 ___

Thank you! m5goi1 (for a favor/service) do1je6 (for a gift, huge favors,
metaphorically)
You're welcome m4sai2 haak3hei3 ()
Have you eaten yet? (a greeting) nei5 sik6 jo2 faan6 mei6 a3?
How do you say __ in Cantonese? __ yung6 gwong2dung1wa2 dim2 gong2 a3? __
?
Do you understand? nei5 ming4 m4 ming4 a3? ?
Can you understand (what was said)? nei5 teng1 dak1 ming4 ma3? ?
Sorry! m4hou2 yi3si1/3

(more seriously, at fault) deui3m4jyu6

I dont understand ngo5 m4 ming4

I cant understand (what was said) ngo5 teng1 m4 ming4
Any questions? yau5mou5 man6tai4
Could you speak slower? cheng2 nei5 gong2 maan6 di1
Could you speak louder? cheng2 nei5 gong2 daai6seng1 di1
Could you say that once again? cheng2 nei5 joi3 gong2 do1 yat1 ci3
Could you please? cheng2/ma4faan4 nei5. /
Excuse me, I wanna ask cheng2man6, ,.
,
Facilitators: Mel Lo & Jeannie Fong
ASUC Sponsored Handicap / wheelchair accessible

Please! m4goi1.! !

or m4goi1, ngo5 seung2 man6,

Beginner Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Common Phrases 2
English

Yale Romanization

Characters

[RUNNING INTO A FRIEND]

What are you up to?

jou6 gan2 mat1 ye5 a3

3

Where are you going?

heui bin dou a

Are you going to class?

nei5 hai6 m4 hai6 heui3 seung5 tong4 a3?

Are you going home?

Do you want to study together?

nei hai m hai faan uk kei a ?

1

yat chai wan syu hou m hou a ?

1

Let's go grab some dim sum sometime dak haan cheut lai yam cha
Call me!

Call /

dak haan ko ngo /

6

dak haan da (din wa ) bei ngo

hou2 sai1 lei6

[COMMENTS & EMERGENCY]

Awesome!
Put on more clothes (stay warm)
You look good today

jeuk do gin saam

5

nei gam yat hou leng wo

3

faai di la

Hurry up!

gau meng

Help!
Where is the nearest restroom?

fu gan bin dou yau sai sau gaan /chi so2?

/

[BRAGGING ABOUT YOUR CANTO-PROFICIENCY.]

I don't speak Cantonese
I speak a little Cantonese
I speak Cantonese fluently

ngo5 m4 sik1 gong2 gwong2 dung1 wa6

5

ngo sik gong siu siu gwong dung wa

5

ngo di gwong dung wa hou lau lei ga ! d

[SHARING OUR FEELINGS.]

I want to go home
I don't feel well.
I am happy

ngo5 seung2 faan1 uk1 kei2

5

ngo m syu fuk

5

ngo hou hoi sam

I am unhappy
I am angry

ngo hou m hoi sam

ngo hou nau

I am sleepy

ngo hou ngaan fan

5

I want to cry

ngo seung ham

I like __ (sleeping / play video games

ngo jung1 yi3 ___ (fan3 gaau3 / ___

2

/ a person etc.)
I miss _____ (someone e.g. you)

Facilitators: Mel Lo & Jeannie Fong

ASUC Sponsored handicap / wheelchair accessible

(/

da gei / nei )

/ )

____ ()

ngo hou gwa jyu ____ (nei )

Original written by Mel Lo & Kelly Lau Fall 2007

Beginner Cantonese Decal Fall 2007

Common Phrases 3
English
[SHOPPING PHRASES]
How much is it?
Cheaper, please?

Yale Romanization

Characters

gei2 do1 chin4 a3

peng4 di1 dak1 m4 dak1 a3?

?
d ?

So expensive?!
Very cheap

gam3 gwai3?
hou2 peng4

Is there any other colors?

yau4 mou5 dai6 yi6 (jek3/

jung2) ngaan4 sik1 a3?
ching2 man6 yau4 mat1 ye5 ma5 a3?

(/
)?
?

What size do you have?

Excuse me, where is the fitting room?m4 goi1, si3 san1 sat1 hai2 bin1 dou6 a3? ,?
____________________________________________________________________________
[MEASURE WORD FOR CLOTHING & ACCESSORIES]
Tops (shirt/t-shirt/sweater/jacket/etc.)
Bottoms (dress/skirt/pants/jeans/etc.)
Accessories (belt/scarf/tie/necklace/underwear)
Shoes (pair of leather shoes/sandals/boots/high heels)

gin6
tiu4
tiu4
deui3

(if only a single shoe, we use jek3)

Accessories (socks/gloves/earrings)

deui3

____________________________________________________________________________
[IN THE RESTAURANT]
How many people?
Table for (# of people), please
What do you want to eat?
It doesnt matter
Any recommend dishes?
Id like to orderand.
May I have a ____?
Check, please?
Let me get the bill
Don't fight for it (the bill)

gei2 do1 wai2 a3?

m4 goi1 (#) wai2
nei5 seung2 sik6 di1 mat1 ye5 a3?
mou5 so2 wai6
yau4 mat1 ye5 hou2 gai3 siu6 a3?
ngo5 seung2 yiu3tung4 maai4
m4 goi1 yat1 (go3) _____.
m4 goi1 maai4 daan1
dang2 ngo5 bei2 la1
m4 hou2 jaang1 la1

?
(#)
d ?

()____.

____________________________________________________________________________
[MEASURE WORD FOR FOOD/DRINK]
Bottle
jeun1, ji1
Cup, glass
bui1
Bowl
wun2
Dish
dip6
Can
gun3

___________________________________________________________________________

Beginner Cantonese Decal Fall 2007

[EXPRESSING YOUR FEELING]

Full
Hungry
Thirsty

baau2
5

tou ngo
hau2 hot3/ geng2 hot3

*Original Made By Mel Lo & Kelly Lau Fall 2007

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Lesson 1: Introductions I
Dialogue 1
Yale Romanization
A: nei5 hou2!
B: nei5 hou2!
A: nei5 giu3 mat1ye5 meng2 a3?
B: ngo5 giu3 John. nei5 ne1?
A: ngo5 giu3 Mary.
Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
nei5
hou2
giu3
mat1ye5
meng2
a3
ngo5
ne1

English Translation
A: Hello!
B: Hello!
A: What is your name?
B: My name is John. How about you?
A: My name is Mary.
Part of Speech
PN
Adj
V
QW
N
Part.
PN
Part.

Dialogue 2
Yale Romanization
Mark: ching2man6, nei5 gwai3sing3 a3?
Jenny: ngo5 sing3 Chan4. nei5 ne1?
Mark: ngo5 sing3 Wong4. ngo5 giu3 Mark. nei5 giu3
mat1ye5 meng2 a3?
Jenny: ngo5 giu3 Jenny.
Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
ching2man6
gwai3sing3
sing3
Chan4, Wong4

Part of Speech
Expression
Expression
V

Dialogue 3
Yale Romanization
John: wai6 David!
David: wai6 John! ni1paai4 dim2 a3?
John: gei2 hou2 a3, nei5 ne1?
David: m4 cho3 a1.
John: dang2 ngo5 gaai3siu6-ha5, ni1 go3 hai5 ngo5
go3 pang4yau5, Mary.
Mary: nei5 hou2!
David: nei5 hou2! ngo5 hai6 a3 David!
Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
wai6/wei6
ni1paai4
dim2
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Part of Speech
Expression
Time Word
QW

English Meaning
You
good, fine
to call
what?
name
[question particle]
I, me
[question: what about?]
English Translation
Mark: May I ask, whats your surname?
Jenny: My surname is Chan. And you?
Mark: My surname is Wong. My name is Mark.
What is your name?
Jenny: My name is Jenny.
English Meaning
May I ask, Excuse me?
honorable surname
to have the surname
Chan, Wong (common
surnames)
English Translation
John: Hey David!
David: Hey John! How have things been going?
John: Pretty good, how about you?
David: Not bad.
John: Allow me to introduce. This is my friend
Mary.
Mary: Hi!
David: Hi! Im David.
English Meaning
Hey!
recently; lately
how?

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

gei2 (+adj.)
m4
m4cho3
a6/a1
dang2
gaai3siu6
ni1
go3
hai6
pang4yau5
a3

Adv.
Neg.
Expression (adj.)
Part.
V (imperative)
V
Particle
Dem.
MW
V
N

quite
not; do not
not bad
[statement particle]
Let/Allow
to introduce
this
measure for person or thing
to be
friend
prefix added to names

Supplementary Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
keui5
-dei6
jeui3gan6
gan6paai2
fei1seung4(ji1)
hou2 (+adj.)
tung4hok6

Part of Speech
Pronoun
suffix
Time Word/Adv
Time Word
Adv
Adv
N

English Meaning
he/she
plural for pronouns
recently; lately
recently; lately
extremely
very
classmate

Grammar
1) Cantonese Word Order
The general word order of Cantonese is Subject-Verb-Object.
ngo5
I am
S

giu3
called
V

keui5
he/she
S

John
John
O

jung1yi3
likes
V

ping4gwo2
apples
O

2) Pronouns
1st
2nd
3rd

Singular
ngo5
nei5
keui5

I, me
You
He/she/him/her

Plural
ngo5dei6
nei5dei6
keui5dei6

We, us
You
They, them

Pronouns in Cantonese do not distinguish masculine and feminine, so gender is

determined from context. The plural marker only applies to pronouns and fixed
expressions, i.e. yan4dei6 others.
3) Question Particles a3 and ne1
The question particle a3 is used for neutral questions, generally to soften the tone.
nei5 go3 pang4yau5 giu3 mat1ye5 meng2 a3? What is your friends name?
The question particle ne1 is used in follow questions based on previous context
(what about/how about?), or to indicate a sense of wonder, like when one
thinks to oneself.
keui5 ne1?
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What about him?

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

gam1yat1 (today) tin1hei3 (weather) dim2 ne1?

(I wonder) hows the weather today?
4) Verb hai6
The verb hai6 connects nouns and noun phrases, but unlike English, it cannot be
used to link a noun and an adjective in a general statement.
ngo5 hai6 hok6saang1. I am a student.
*ngo5 hai6 hou2 lek1(smart) a3.
I (really) am very smart.
(As a general statement, this is ungrammatical. Cases in which is this is
grammatical will be introduced later)
5) Adjectives in general
In Cantonese, there are cases in which the adjectives may function as a verb. As
such, they do not use the verb to be in forming sentences as English does.
However, if they are used in the predicate (the portion of the sentence that
contains the verb), then they usually must be preceded by some sort of modifier.
ni1 go3 hou2 gwai3 a3!
ngo5 ni1paai4 gei2 hou2!

This one is (very) expensive.

Im doing quite well lately.

6) Asking how one is doing

The use of nei5 hou2 Hello! and nei5 hou2 ma3? How are you doing? is typically
used between strangers or in a formal polite setting. Between friends and close
acquaintances, a speaker will use wai6 followed by the persons name to greet
the listener and dim2 a3? How are you doing?
Example:
wai6 a3 John! jeui3gan6 dim2 a3?
Hey John! How have you been doing (recently)?

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10

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Lesson 2: Introductions II
Dialogue 1
Yale Romanization
A: nei5 hai6 Paak3Hak1Loi4 ge3 hok6saang1 ma3?
B: hai6 a6.
A: nei5 gam1nin2 dai6 gei2 nin4 a3?
B: ngo5 gam1nin2 dai6 yi6 nin4. nei5 ne1?

English Translation
A: Are you a Berkeley student?

A: ngo5 gam1nin2 dai6 sei3 nin4. gam2 nei5 jyu2sau1

bin1 fo1 a3?
B: ngo5 jyu2sau1 ging1jai3hok6. nei5 ne1?
A: ngo5 jyu2sau1 sang1mat6hok6

B: Yes.
A: What year are you (this year)?
B: Im a second year (this year). How about
you?
A: Im a fourth year. Sowhat are you
majoring in?
B: Im majoring in Economics. How about you?
A: Im majoring in Biology.

Other ways to ask about ones major/studies

Yale Romanization
A: nei5 hai6 mat1ye5 major a3?
B: ngo5 hai6 yi6kon1
A: nei5 duk6 mat1ye5 (fo1) a3?
B: ngo5 duk6 po1li1saai1

English Translation
A: What major are you?
B: Im an economics major.
A: Which subject do you study?
B: I study Political Science.

Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
Paak3Hak1Loi4
gam1nin2
dai6
gei2
nin4
jyu2sau1
duk6
bin1
1
ging jai3hok6
fo1
1
sang mat6hok6

Part of Speech
Proper Name
Time Word
Part.
QW
N
V
V
QW
N
N
N

Dialogue 2
Yale Romanization
A: nei5 hai6 m4 hai6 hai2 Lo4Saang2 lei4 ga3?
B: m4 hai6 a3.
A: o4, gam2 nei5 hai2 bin1dou6 lei4 ga3?
B: ngo5 hai2 Saam1Faan4Si5 lei4 ga3.
Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
hai2
4
Lo Saang2
lei4
3
ga (fusion of ge3 + a3)
o4
gam2
bin1dou6
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English Meaning
Berkeley
this year
numerical prefix
how many?
year
to major in
to read, to study
which
subject; field
Economics
Biology
English Translation
A: Are you from Los Angeles?
B: Nope.
A: Oh, so then, where are you from?
B: Im from San Francisco

Part of Speech
Prep.
Proper Name (N)
V
Part.
Interjection
Interjection
QW

English Meaning
from, at
Los Angeles
to come
used as question particle here
Oh!
so then, well then
where?

11

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

Supplementary Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
sin1saang1
lou5si1
gaau3sau6
hok6haau6
jo6gaau3
daai6hok6
Paak3Hak1Loi4Ga1Daai6
fu3sau1
Place Names
Place
Mei5Gwok3
Ga1Na4Daai6
Mak6Sai1Go1
Heung1Gong2

Part of Speech
N
N
N
N
N
N
Proper Name
V

English
United States
Canada
Mexico
Hong Kong

Jung1Gwok3
Uk1Leun4

China
Oakland

Dialogue 3
Yale Romanization
A: nei5 yi4ga1 jyu6 hai2 bin1dou6 a3?
B1: ngo5 yi4ga1 jyu6 hai2 suk1se5 dou6.
B2: ngo5 yi4ga1 jyu6 dorm.
A: o5, bin1 jo6 a3?
B: Unit Two. gam2 nei5 ne1? nei5 jyu6 hai2
bin1dou6 a3?
A: ngo5 yi4ga1 jyu6 paak1man2.
Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
yi4ga1
jyu6
hai2
suk1se5
bin1
jo6
paak1man2

Part of Speech
Time Word
V
Prep
N
QW
MW
N

UC Berkeley

English Meaning
teacher; sir
teacher (formal title)
professor
school
assistant instructor (TA)
university
UC Berkeley
to minor in
Place
Ying1Gwok3
Dak1Jau1
Nau2Yeuk3
(Naam4/Bak1)
Ga1Jau1
Waan1Keui1
Toi4Waan1

English
England
Texas
New York
(Southern/Northern)
California
Bay Area
Taiwan

English Translation
A: Where are you living at now?
B1: Im living in the dorms.
B2: (colloquial)
A: Oh, I see which one?
B: Unit Two. So, how about you? Where are you
living at now?
A: Im living in an apartment now.
English Meaning
now; currently
to live, to reside in
at
dorms
Which?
measure for buildings
apartment

Grammar
1) Yes/No Question Types: particle ma3 and A-not-A pattern
In this lesson, you have learned two ways to solicit a yes/no answer from the
listener. The first form is the sentence-final question particle ma3, which placed at
the end of a statement to turn it into a question. This form tends to me have a
more formal and polite tone to it.
nei5 hai6 sin1saang1 ma3?

Are you a teacher?

a) To simply answer yes to the above question, use hai6

hai6.
Yes (I am)
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Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

b) To simply answer no to the above question, you add m4 in front of hai6 to

negate it.
m4 hai6. ngo5 hai6 hok6saang1.
No (Im not). Im a student.
The second form is the A-not-A pattern, which is more commonly used than the
ma3 form. It is formed by using adding a negative to the verb and then repeating
the verb: verb + m4 + verb. (Dont forget the a3 add the end to form a question!)
To show this, lets use the earlier question: Are you a teacher?
nei5 hai6 m4 hai6 sin1saang1 a3?

Literally: Are you (or are you not) a teacher?

To reply to the question, use the same forms for yes and no listed above.
2) Preposition hai2 from, at
Depending on the context, hai2 placed before a location word can mean from or
at.
hai2 meaning from
ngo5 hai2 Faat3Gwok6 lei4 ga3.

I am from France.

hai2 ni1dou6 heui3 Uk1Leun4 yun5 m5 yun5 a3?

Is it far [to go] from here to Oakland? (yun5: far, heui3: to go)
hai2 meaning at
ngo5 hai2 ni1dou6 jyu6.
a3 John hai2 m5 hai2 dou6 a3?

I live here. (lit: I live at this place)

Is John here [or not]?

Note: Unlike in English, the verb hai6 to be is not needed in these

sentences, so the preposition basically acts as the verb of the sentence.
Usage Patterns for preposition hai2 at:
[a] Subject + hai2 + Location + (Localizer) + Verb + (Object)
keui5 hai2 Mei5Gwok3 duk6syu1. (duk6syu1 to attend school; to read)
I go to school in America.
[b] Subject + Verb + hai2 + Location + Localizer
This construction places the location after the verb, but is more limited to
certain verbs and tends requires a localizer.
keui5 kei5 hai2 mun4hau2 dou6. He/she is standing by/at the door.
3) Localizer dou6
This will be discussed more in detail later. The localizer particle functions with
hai2 to express a spatial relationship. While hai2 is placed before the location, the
localizer is placed after the location.
dou6 can both mean over there or over here, but its more of dummy, which
means at. In conversation, its sometimes omitted. For example:
David dit3dou2 hai2 lau4tai1 (dou6). (dit3dou2 fell down; lau4tai1 stairs)
David fell down on the stairs.
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13

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

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4) Basic Negative m4
The basic way to negate a verb is to place m4 before the verb. This translates
into something like do not V or when used to negate hai6 to be or an adjective,
it means to not be~
keui5 m4 leng3. (leng3 pretty)
He/she is not pretty.
sou3hok6 m4 yung4yi6 (yung4yi6 easy)

Math is not easy.

ngo3 m4 jung1yi3 sang1mat6hok6.

I do not like Biology.

keui5 m4 hai6 Mei5Gwok3yan4

He is not American.

5) A-not-A Pattern with other verbs

So far, you have learned how to use the A-not-A pattern to ask a yes/no question
with the verb hai6 to be. With other verbs, the pattern is roughly the same. To
answer yes, you just repeat the verb. For no, negate the verb with m4. For
example:
zyu6 dorm gwai3 m4 gwai3 a?
Is living in the dorms expensive?
gwai3!
Yes, (it is expensive)

m4 gwai3
No, (it is not expensive).

To ask a question with the two-syllable verbs, the pattern is:

[1st Syllable] + [m4] + [Whole Verb]
sou3hok6 yung4 m4 yung4yi6 (yung4yi6 easy)
yung4yi6
Yes, (it is easy)

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Is Math easy [or not]?

m4 yung4yi6
No, (its not easy)

14

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Majors (sau1 fo1 muk6)

Anthropology
Architecture
Biology
Chemistry
Business/Commerce
~Administration
Cognitive Science
Computer Science
Economics
English
Engineering
Mechanical~
Electrical~
Civil~
Chemical~
Biological~
Environmental Science
Film Studies
Geography
Geology
History
Journalism
Legal Studies/Law
Linguistics
Mass Communications
Mathematics
Statistics
Applied~
Medicine
Music
Pharmacy
Philosophy
Political Science
Physics
Psychology
Public Health
Religious Studies
Rhetoric
Social Welfare
Sociology

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yan4 leui6 hok6

gin3 juk1 hok6
sang1 mat6 hok6
fa3 hok6
seung1 fo1
seung1 yip6 gwun2 lei5 hok6
ying6 ji1 fo1 hok6
din6 nou5 fo1 hok6
ging1 jai3 hok6
ying1 man4
gung1 ching4 hok6
gei1 haai6 gung1 ching4
din6 ji2 gung1 ching4
tou2 muk6 gung1 ching4
fa3 hok6 gung1 ching4
sang1 mat1 gung1 ching4
waan4 ging2 fo1 hok6
din6 ying2 yin4 gau3
dei6 lei5 hok6
dei6 jat1 hok6
lik6 si2
san1 man4 hok6
faat3 leut6 hok6
yu5 yin4 hok6
daai6 jung3 chyun4 bo3
sou3 hok6
tung2 gai6 hok6
ying1 yung6 sou3 hok6
yi1 hok6
yam1 ngok6
yeuk6 jai1 hok6
jit3 hok6
ging1 jai3 hok6
mat6 lei5 hok6
sam1 lei5 hok6
gung1 gung6 wai6 sang1 hok6
jung1 gaau3 yin4 gau3
sau1 ci4 hok6
se5 wui2 fuk1 lei6 hok6
se5 wui2 hok6

15

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Countries (gwok3 ga1)

Africa
Africa
Congo
Egypt
Ghana
Ivory Coast
Libya
Morocco
South Africa

America
South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Cuba
Canada
Toronto
Ecuador
North America
Vancouver
Mexico
United States
California
New York
San Francisco
Los Angeles

fei1 jau1
gong1 gwo2
oi1/aai1 kap6
ga1 naap6
jeung6 nga4 hoi2 on6
lei6 bei2 a3
mo1 lok6 go1
naam4 fei1

naam4 mei5 jau1

a3 gan1 ting4
ba1 sai1
ji3 lei6
gu2 ba1
ga1 na4 daai6
do1 leun4 do1
ak1 gwa1 do1 yi5
bak1 mei5 jau1
wan1 go1 wa2
mak6 sai1 go1
mei5 gwok3
ga1 jau1
nau2 yeuk3
saam1 faan4 si5
lo4 saang2
lok6 chaam3 gei1

Europe
Europe

au1 jau1

Belgium
Denmark
France
Paris
Germany
Greece
Holland
Ireland
Italy
Rome
Norway
Portugal

bei2 lei6 si4

daan1 mak6
faat3 gwok3
ba1 lai4
dak1 gwok3
hei1 laap6
ho4 laan1
oi3 yi5 laan4
yi3 daai6 lei6
lo4 ma2
no4 wai1
pou4 tou4 nga4

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Asia & Pacific

Asia
Australia
China
(mainland)
Beijing
Guangzhou
Shanghai
Hong Kong
Macau
Taiwan
Taipei
India
Indonesia
Japan
Tokyo
Korea
South Korea
North Korea
Seoul
Malaysia
Mongolia
Middle East
Israel
Palestine
Iraq
Saudi Arabia

a3 jau1
ou3 jau1
jung1 gwok3
daai6 luk6/noi6 dei6
bak1 ging1
gwong2 jau1
seung6 hoi2
heung1 gong2
ou3 mun2
toi4 waan1
toi4 bak1
yan3 dou6
yan3 nei4
yat6 bun2
dung1 ging1
hon4 gwok3
naam4 hon4
bak1 hon4
hon3 sing4/ sau2 yi5
ma5 loi4 sai1 a3
mung4 gu2
jung1 dung1
yi5 sik1 lit6
ba1 lak4 si1 taan2
yi1 laai1 hak1

Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam

san1 ga6 bo1

taai3 gwok3
yut6 naam4

Europe continued
Russia
Spain
Sweden
Turkey
Ukraine
United Kingdom
England
Scotland
Wales
London
European Union

sa1 dei6 a3 laai1 baak3

o4 lo4 si1
o4 gwok3
sai1 baan1 nga4
seui6 din2
tou2 yi5 kei4
wu1 hak1 laan4
ying1 gwok3
ying1 gaak3 laan4
sou1 gaak3 laan4
wai1 yi5 si1
leun4 deun1
au1 mang4

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Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Lesson 3: Family
Dialogue 1
Yale Romanization
English Translation
A: nei5 uk1kei2 yau5 gei2do1 go3 yan4 a3?
A: How many people are there in your family?
B: ngo5 uk1kei2 yau5 ng5 go3 yan4; yau5 ngo5
B: There are 5 people in my family: theres my dad,
ba4ba1, ma4ma1, ga1je1, sai3lou2, tung4maai4 ngo5.
mom, older sister, younger brother, and me. How
nei5 uk1kei2 ne1?
about your family?
A: ngo5 uk1kei2 ji2 yau5 saam3 go3 yan4 ngo5
A: There are only 3 people in my family: my dad,
fu6mou5 tung4maai4 ngo5. ngo5 mou5
mom, and me. I dont have brothers and sisters.
hing1dai6ji2mui2
Note: [1] uk1kei2 home is used here to refer to immediate family; the word uk1 by itself
refers to house. [2] ba4ba1ma4ma1 is a more colloquial way of referring to both parents,
the more formal way is fu6mou5.
Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
Part of Speech
English Meaning
uk1kei2
N
home; family
2
yau
V
to exist, to have
go3
MW
measure for people
ba4ba1
N
father
ma4ma1
N
mother
ga1je1
N
older sister
sai3lou2
N
younger brother
tung4maai4
Conj.
and, with
mou5
V
to not exist, not exist
hing1dai6ji2mui2
N
brothers and sisters
ji2
Adv.
only
fu6mou5
N
parents
ma4ma1ba4ba1
N
mom and dad
Note: For other family members, please refer to handout.
Dialogue 2
English Translation
Yale Romanization
A: nei5 yau3 mou5 hing1dai6ji2mui2 a3?
A: Do you have any brothers and sisters?
B: ngo5 yau5 yat1 go3 ga1je1.
B: I have a sister.
5
6
3
5
2
1
4 3
A: keui daai (gwo ) nei gei do nin a ?
A: How many years is she older than you?
B: keui5 daai6 (gwo3) ngo5 saam1 nin4.
B: She is older than me by 3 years.
A: o5ngo5 yau5 yat1 go3 sai3lou2. keui5 sai3 (gwo3) A: OhI have a younger brother. He is younger
ngo5 leung5 nin4.
than me by 2 years.
Note: The comparative gwo3 is occasionally omitted.
Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
daai6
gwo3
2
gei do1 (+ MW)
sai3
leung5

Part of Speech
Adj.
V.
QW
Adj.
Det.

Supplementary Adjectives
Yale
Meaning
do1
Adj./Adv. many/more
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English Meaning
big, large
to pass
how many?
small, little
two (used with measures)
Yale
hau6saang1/
nin1ching1

Meaning
young

17

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

siu2
gou1
ai2

Adj./Adv. few/less
tall, high
short, low (physically)

dai1
cheung4
dyun2
fei4
sau3
hou2
heng1
chung5
waai6
cha1
san1

low
long
short
fat
skinny
good
light
heavy
bad, out of order
worse, bad, lacking
new

Dialogue 3
Yale Romanization
A: nei5 uk1kei2 yau5 mou5 chung2mat6 a3?
B: ngo5 yau5 yat1 jek3 gau2 tung4 yat1 jek3 maau1.
nei5 ne1?
A: ngo5dei6 gau2 tung4 maau1 dou1 mou5, daan6hai6
ngo5 yau5 gei2 tiu4 gam1yu2.
B: nei5dei6 dim2gaai2 mou5 gau2 tung4 maau1 a3?
A: yan1wai6 ngo5 ma4ma1 m4 jung1yi6 yeung5 gau2
tung4 maau1, so2yi5 ngo5dei6 uk1kei5 mou5 lo1.
Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
chung2mat6
jek3

Part of Speech
N
MW

Supplementary Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
ni1 + MW
go2 + MW
ni1dou6
go2dou6

Part of Speech
Dem.
Dem.
N
N

UC Berkeley

gwai3
peng4
lek1/
sing2muk6/
chung1ming4
lou5
gau6
cheun2
deun6
yun5
kan2
faai3
maan6
yit6
dung3
naan4

expensive
inexpensive
smart
old
old
stupid
slow-witted
far
close
fast
slow
hot
cold
difficult

English Translation
A: Do you have any pets at home?
B: I have a dog and a cat. How about you?
A: We neither have cats nor dogs, but I do have a
few goldfish.
B: Why dont you have cats and dogs?
A: Since my mom doesnt like to raise cats and
dogs, so we dont have any at home.

English Meaning
pet
measure for many animals, body parts,
objects
gau2
N
dog
maau1
N
cat
tung4
Conj.
and, with
dou1
Adv.
both, all, every
6
6
daan hai
Conj.
but, however
gei2 + MW
Det.
several, few
tiu4
MW
measure for long animals and objects
gam1yu2
N
goldfish
yan1wai6
Conj.
because, since
yeung5
V.
to raise, train, foster
2 5
so yi
Conj.
therefore, so
Note: [1] This use of dou1 is different from the usage of dou1 meaning also.

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English Meaning
this
that
here
there, over there

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ni1bin6(1)
go2bin6(1)

UC Berkeley

N
N

this side
that side, over that side

Grammar
1) Existential Verbs yau5 to exist, to have, mou5 to not exist, to have
In Cantonese, the verb yau5, which loosely translates to to exist, to have, there
is has an extensive set of functions depending on whether it is used with nouns,
verbs, or adjectives. In this lesson, we will make use yau5 followed by nouns,
which has the above-mentioned meaning of existence and possession.
Examples:
ngo5 yau5 saam1 jek3 gau2.

I have three dogs.

Paak3Hak1Loi4 yau5 hou2 do1 hok6saang1.

Berkeley has many students/There are many students in Berkeley.
ni1dou6 yau5 yat1 jek3 maau1

There is a cat here.

The negative form of yau5 is mou5, which means to not have, to not exist.
Example:
ngo5 mou5 hing1dai6ji2mui2.

I have no brothers and sisters.

fo3sat1 leui5min6 mou5 toi2dang3. (fo3sat1: classroom, leui5min6: inside,

toi2dang3: tables and chairs)
There are tables or chairs in the classroom.
go2dou6 mou5 chi3so2 (chi3so2: toilet, restroom)
There are no restrooms there.
2) Measure Words
Measure words (or noun classifiers) are a crucial part of the structure of
Cantonese nouns. Each noun in Cantonese is assigned in classifier, whether it
be one specific to the noun or a more generic one. In English, the closest things
to measure words are count words that are specific to certain nouns, such as: a
pride of lions, a pair of pants, a cup of coffee, a flock of sheep. As with these
count words, measure words in Cantonese have to be learned, and the use of
the proper measure is important in conversation.
Measure words are needed in the following situations:
a) when counting/quantifying
Ex: yat1 jek3 gau2 one dog; mui5 tiu4 fish every fish
b) with demonstratives ni1 this, go2 that
Ex: ni1 go3 hok6saang1 this student; go2 gaan1 hok1haau6 that school
c) with question words (QW)
Ex: gei2do1 go3 yan4 how many persons?; bin1 jo6 suk1se5 which
dorm?
3) Conjunction tung4 (maai4) and, with
tung4 or tung4maai4 is used when connecting nouns, noun phrases, or for lists.
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They are interchangeable in many cases, although when used to express

personal relationships tung4 is often used.
Examples:
ngo5 jung1yi3 sou3hok6, ging1jai3hok6, tung4maai4 ying1man4
I like Math, Economics, and English.
keui5 tung4 ngo5 hai6 hou2 pang4yau5.

He and I are good friends.

ngo5 hou2 jang1 sai2 saam1 tung4 dou2 laap6saap3. (jang1: to hate, sai2
saam1: to wash clothes; dou2 laap6saap3: to take out the trash)
I really hate doing laundry and taking out the trash.
ngo5 tung4 keui5 yat1chai4 heui3 leui5hang4. (yat1chai4: together; heui3: to
go; leui5hang4: travel)
I go traveling together with him/He and I go traveling together.
4) Making Comparisons with gwo3
gwo3 in Chinese originally meant to pass, but in Cantonese it developed a
comparative usage, in the following pattern:
A + Adj. + gwo3 + B + [Adv/degree modifier]
Examples:
keui5 gou1 gwo3 ngo5.

A is more [adj.] than B

He is taller than me.

Mei5Gwok3 daai6 gwo3 Ying1Gwok3 hou2 do1.

The USA is a lot larger than England.
ngo5 ga1je1 daai6 (gwo3) sei3 nin4.

My sister is 4 years older than I am.

Note: This is not the only comparative pattern used in Cantonese; there is
another more formal construction that is similar to the Mandarin comparative.
This will be discussed later.
5) Conjunction daan6hai6 but, however
A common pattern in Cantonese is seui1yin4, daan6hai6, which means
although, but and is used when the first clause is used to make a
concession that the second (main) clause contradicts.
Examples:
seui1yin4 ngo5 hai6 Gwong2Dung1Yan4, daan6hai6 ngo5 m4 sik1
Gwong2Dung1Wa2. (sik1: to know, Gwong2Dung1Wa2: Cantonese)
Although I am Cantonese, (but) I dont know Cantonese.
seui1yin4 ngo5 ma4ma1 m4 jung1yi3 gau2, daan6hai6 ngo5 jung1yi6.
Although my mom dislikes dogs, I like (them).
In the dialogue daan6hai6 is used by itself in the second clause, which simply
concedes what was mentioned before it.
Examples:
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ni1 bun2 syu1 hou2 cheung4, daan6hai6 hou2 tai2. (bun2: MW, syu1: book,
tai2: to look)
This book is long, but good.
ngo5 jung1yi3 yeung5 maau1, daan6hai6 m4 jung1yi3 yeung5 gau2.
I like raising cats, but I dislike raising dogs.
6) Expression yan1wai6so2yi5 since/because, therefore
The expression yan1wai6so2yi5 is used to indicate a reason for something, in
which the first clause gives the reason for whatever is in the second (main)
clause.
Examples:
yan1wai6 jyu6 dorm hou2 gwai6, so2yi5 ngo5 jou1 paak1man2 jyu6. (jou1: to
rent)
Since living in dorms is very expensive; (therefore), Im renting an
apartment.
yan1wai6 ngo5 jung1yi3 gai3sou3, so2yi5 ngo5 jyu2sau1 sou3hok6. (gai3sou3:
to do calculations, do math)
Since I like to do math, Im majoring in Mathematics.
so2yi5 therefore, so can also be used by itself in the second clause.
Example:
keui5 hai2 Heung1Gong2 lei4, so2yi5 keui5 sik1 Gwong2Dung1Wa2.
Hes from Hong Kong, so he knows Cantonese.
7) Adverb dou1 both, all, every, each
dou1 is a word that has a broad range of functions. One function, to simply put it,
is to express a sense of both, all, every, each in referring to a noun in the
sentence.
Example:
ngo5dei6 gau2 tung4 maau1 dou1 mou5.
We do not have cats or dogs.
(In English, since its a negative, we have to translate it a bit differently,
but literally, were saying [we - cats - and - dogs - both - not have]. Take
for example the positive statement below and its a bit more obvious)
ngo5dei6 gau2 tung4 maau1 dou1 yau5.
We have both cats and dogs.
Other Examples:
keui5 ga3ga3 che1 dou1 jung1yi3. (ga3: MW, che1: car)
He likes every car.
ngo5 mat1ye5 syu1 dou1 m4 tai2
I dont read any books.
(Again, as we pointed out, in English dou1 doesnt have a direct
translation)
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Note: As mentioned earlier, this function of dou1 is grammatically different from

the dou1 meaning also (even though its the same character)
8) Demonstratives ni1 this, go2 that
The demonstratives ni1 this, go2 that must be accompanied by a measure word.
Example:
ni1 go3 pang4yau5 this friend
ni1 jo6 daai6ha6 this building

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go2 go3 tung4hok6 that classmate

go2 bun2 syu1 that book

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Family Terms (ga1 juk6)

father
mother
brother (older)
(younger)
brothers
sister (older)
(younger)
sisters

ba4 ba1 / a3 ba4 / lou2 dau6 (colloq.)

ma4 ma1 / a3 ma1
go4 go1 / a3 go1 / daai6 lou2 (colloq.)
sai3 lou2
hing1 dai6
ga1 je1
sai3 mui2 / mui2
ji2 mui2

son
daughter
husband
wife

jai2
neui2
jeung6 fu1/ lou5 gung1 (colloq.)
taai3 taai2 / lou5 po4 (colloq.)

Paternal Relatives
grandfather
grandmother
cousin (male, older)
(male, younger)
(female, older)
(female, younger)
uncle (older than father)
uncles wife
uncle (younger than father)
uncles wife
aunt (older than father)
(younger than father)
aunts husband

ye4 ye2 / a3 ye4

ma4 ma4 / a3 ma4
tong4 a3 go1
tong4 sai3 lou2
tong4 ga1 je1
tong4 sai3 mui2
baak3 fu6
baak3 leung4/baak3 mou5
a3 suk1
a3 sam2
gu1 ma1
gu1 je1
gu1 jeung2

Maternal Relatives
grandfather
gung1 gung1 / a3 gung1
grandmother
po4 po2 / a3 po4
cousin (male, older)
biu2 go1
(male, younger)
biu2 dai6
(female, older)
biu2 je2
(female, younger)
biu2 mui2
uncle
kau5 fu2
uncles wife
kam5 mou2
aunt (older than mother)
yi4 ma1
(younger than mother)a3 yi1
aunts husband
yi4 jeung2

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Lesson 4: Time and Date

Dialogue 1
Yale Romanization
English Translation
6
5
6
4
6
2
1
1
John: wei Mary, nei hai m hai hai Ga Jau
John: Hey Mary, were you born in California?
cheut1sai3 a3?
Mary: m4 hai6, ngo5 hai2 Nau2Yeuk3 cheut1sai3.
Mary: Nope, I was born in New York.
John: o6, nei5 gei2si4 saang1yat4 a3?
John: Oh, whens your birthday?
Mary: sap6yat1yut6 ya6saam1hou6.
Mary: November 23rd
John: yi2! jik1hai6 Gam2Yan1Jit3!
John: Hey! That would be Thanksgiving!
Mary: mou5 cho3! nei5 lei4 m4 lei4 ngo5 go3 pa1ti4
Mary: Thats right! Are you coming to my party?
a3?
John: gang2hai6 lei4 la1! gei2dim2 a3?
John: Of course Im coming! What time?
Mary: ye6maan5 gau2dim2.
Mary: At night, 9pm
John: jou6me1 gam3 ye6 a3?
John: How come so late?
Mary: yan1wai6 gau2dim2 ji1chin4 ngo5 di1
Mary: Because before 9pm, my friends wont be
pang4yau5 m4 dak1haan4.
free
6
4
6
Note: hai m hai is often contracted to hai6 mai6 in conversation
Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
cheut1sai3
gei2si4
yut6
hou6
yi2!
jik1hai6
Gam2Yan1Jit3
mou5 cho3
lei4
pa1ti4
gang2hai6
la1
6
ye maan5
6
jou me1 (me1=mat1ye5)
gam3 + Adj.
ji1chin4
ye3
dak1haan4

Part of Speech
V
QW
N
N
Interjection
Expression
Proper Noun
Expression
V
N
Adv
Part.
Time Word
QW
Adv.
Time Word
Adj.
Adj.

English Meaning
to be born
when?
month
day; number
Oh, hey!
would be; that is
Thanksgiving
Right on!
to come
party
of course
[used to lighten tone]
at night
how come; why?
so; that (ex: so late)
before
late at night
to be free, not busy

Supplementary Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
jou2
chi4
jeun2si4
chi4dou3

Part of Speech
Adj.
Adj.
Adj.
V

English Meaning
early
late
on time
to arrive late

Dialogue 2
::David runs into Mary as she goes to class::
Yale Romanization
English Translation
Mary: wei6 David, nei5 heui3 bin1 a3?
Mary: Hey David, where are you going?
David: ngo5 heui3 sik6 faan6. nei5 sik6 jo2 mei6 a3?
David: Im going to eat. Have you eaten yet?
Mary: mei6 a3, daan3hai6 ngo5 ngaam1ngaam1
Mary: I also havent, but I just drank a milk tea. I
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yam2 jo2 (yat1) bui1 naai5cha4. ngo5 gam1yat6

yat1dim2bun3 sin1 lok6tong4. dou3si4 sin1 sik6faan6.
David: o6hai6wo3, nei5 jou6 jo2 fan6 jung1man4
gung1fo3 mei3 a3?
Mary: jou6 jo2 la3, nei5 ne1?
David: mei6 a3, ni1fan6 chiu1 naan4 jou6 a3! dim2
syun3 a3?
Mary: yu4gwo2 ngo5 gam1maan1 yau5 si4gaan3
ge3wa2, ngo5 jau6 bong1 nei5 la1!
David: hou2! m4goi1saai3!
Mary: m4sai2 haak3hei3!
Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
heui3
sik6faan6
-jo2
mei6
ngaam1ngaam1
yam2
bui1
naai5cha4
g am1yat6
sin1(ji3)
lok6tong4
dou3si4
hai6wo3
jou6
fan6

wont get off class until 1:30 today. I wont eat till
then.
David: Ohoh right, have you finished your
Chinese homework?
Mary: Ive done it, you?
David: Not yet, this one is really hard to do. What
do I do?
Mary: If I have time tonight, then Ill help you!
David: Great, thanks a lot!
Mary: Dont mention it!

jung1man4
gung1fo3
3
la (sometimes laak3)

N
N
Part.

chiu1
dim syun3 a3?
4
yu gwo2(ge3wa2)
jau6
bong1
m4goi1
saai3

Adv.
Expression
Conj.
Conj./Adv
V
V

m4sai2
haak3hei3

Part.
Neg.

English Meaning
to go
to eat (lit. eat rice)
[indicates completed action]
not yet
just a moment ago
to drink
a cup of
milk tea
today
not until; only then
to get off class
when the time comes
Oh right!
to do
measure for copies of documents
(report, newspaper, homework)
Chinese language
homework
[indicates affirmation; new situation;
current relevance]
extremely (very colloq.)
What do I do?
If
then, therefore
to help
to thank
[indicates quantity all and used for
emphasis]
no need to
to be courteous; polite;

Supplementary Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
seung5tong4
faan1hok6
faan1gung1
faan1uk1kei2
fong3hok6
fong3gung1

Part of Speech
VO
VO
VO
VO
VO
VO

English Meaning
to go to class
to go to school
to go to work
to return/go home
to get out of class/school
to get off work

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Part of Speech
V
V
Part.
Neg.
Adv
V
MW
N
Time Word
Adv.
VO (Verb + Object)
Time Word/Adv
Expression
V
MW

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jau2
gaan1

V
MW

uk1 (MW: gaan1)

fong2 (MW:gaan1)
hok6haau6 (MW:gaan1)

N
N
N

Dialogue 3
Yale Romanization
Mary: wei6 Susan, ni1paai4 hou2 mong4 a4?
Susan: gang2hai6 la1! seng4yat6 dou1 yiu3 heui3
gin3gung1.
Mary: gam3 faai3?! nei5 gei2si4 bat1yip6 a3?
Susan: gam1nin2 ng5yut6fan6. nei5 ne1? nei5
bat1yip6 mei6 a3?
Mary: mei6 a3.
Susan: dim2gaai2 a3?
Mary: yan1wai6 ngo5 seung2 ha6 hok6kei4 heui3
Heung1Gong2 lau4hok6. gam2 nei5 bat1yip6
ji1hau4 seung2 jou6 di1 mat1ye5 a3?
Susan: ngo5 seung5 wan2 fan6 gung1 jou6,
daan6hai6 yi4ga1 hou2 naan4 wan2 ye5 jou6 a3.
Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
mong4
seng4yat6
gin3gung1
faai3
gei2si4
bat1yip6
gam1nin2
# + yut6fan6
seung2
lau4hok6
hok6kei4
ji1hau6
jou6
jou6 (jo2) di1 mat1ye5 a3?
wan2
fan6
gung1
naan4
ye5
jou6ye5

to run, to leave
measure for certain buildings and
structures
house
room
school
English Translation
Mary: Hey Susan, you really busy recently?
Susan: Of course, I always have to go to job
interviews.
Mary: So fast?! When are you graduating?
Susan: In May of this year. How about you? Are
you graduating yet?
Mary: Not yet.
Susan: Why?
Mary: Because next semester I want to go abroad
to Hong Kong. Soafter you graduate, what do
you want to do?
Susan: I want to find a job to do, but now its hard
to find things (a job) to do.

Part of Speech
Adj
Adv
VO
Adj
QW
V
Time Word
Time Word
V
VO
N
Time Word
V
Expression
V
MW
N
Adj
N
VO

English Meaning
busy
all the time; all day
to go to an interview
fast
when?
to graduate
this year
in the month of
to want to
to study abroad
school semester
after
to do; to make
what do (did) you do?
to find
(same as in Dialogue 2)
work; job
difficult
things
to work (lit. to do things)

Grammar
1) Emphatic Sentence hai6ge3
In Lesson 1, it was mentioned that the verb hai6 to be only connects nouns.
However, there exists a special usage of the verb hai6, which places emphasis
on the clause following hai6. (We actually used it once in Lesson 2). It is used in
situations where there is some sort of assumption or supposition. In English, this
translates to something like it is the case that or it is that
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ngo5 hai6 m4 jung1yi3 yam2 be1jau2 ge3. (yam2 to drink; be1jau2 beer)
I dont like to drink beer.
In yes/no question form, the construction is:
hai6 m4 hai6ga3/a3? (ga3: ge3 + a3)
nei5 ting1yat6 hai6 m4 hai6 heui3 Nau2Yeuk3 ga3/a3?
Are you going to New York tomorrow?
Note: Sometimes, a3 is used as the ending particle in both the statement and
question form of this construction.
ngo5 hai6 jang1 keui5 a3! gam2 yau6 dim2 a1? (jang1 to hate)
I do hate him! So what?
2) Time Words
Time words (or time adverbs) in Cantonese generally go at the beginning of the
sentence/clause or directly after the subject. They indicate the time at which the
situation or event in the sentence is occurring.
sing1kei4yat1 yiu3 haau2si3.

Monday, ( I ) have to take a test.

keui5 kam4yat6 sik6 jo2 ng5 go3 chaang2. (chaang2: orange)

He ate 5 oranges yesterday.
3) Time Word Pattern: ji1chin4 / ji1hau6 Before / After
Placing ji1chin4/ji1hau6 after a verb phrase or after a noun/time phrase gives the
meaning before/after
Examples:
sik6faan6 ji1chin4 before eating
saam1dim2 ji1chin4 before 3 oclock
bat1yip6 ji1hau6 after graduation

ng5yut6 ji1hau6 after May

4) Dealing with Tense

In English, verbs must agree with their tense, in which information such past,
present, or future is indicated. In Cantonese, no such system of tense agreement
exists with verbs. Instead Cantonese a different system called aspect exists,
which does not deal with concepts such as past, present, or future, but instead
utilizes certain aspectual particles along with time words to express the time and
status of events and situations. Note the following examples:
ngo5 yi4ga1 da2 mong5kau4

Now I play tennis.

ngo5 yi5chin5 da2 paang5kau4 (yi5chin4: before; in the past)

In the past, I played baseball.
ngo5 yi5chin5 da2 gwo3 paang5kau4 (gwo3: [experiential particle])
I have played baseball before (meaning had the experience of)
ngo5 kam4yat6 da2 jo2 mong5kau4 (jo2: [aspectual particle])
I played tennis yesterday. (Meaning the action was completed)
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5) Aspect Particle jo2 (completed action)

The particle jo2 is typically used to indicate that some action occurring in the past
has completed, but it is by no means equivalent to the English simple past tense,
though sometimes it translates that way. In several cases, it is rather close to the
English perfect (has V-ed), because it involves time up to the present.
Statements with jo2 have the following pattern:
Subject + Verb + jo2 + Object
Examples:
keui5 sik6jo2 faan6 la3.

He has eaten dinner

ngo5 yam2jo2 saam1 bui1 ga3fe1.

I drank 3 cups of coffee

ngo5 hai2 Paak3Hak1Loi4 duk6jo2 leung5 nin4 syu1.

I have studied at Berkeley for two years.
nei5 duk6jo2 gei2do1 nin4 jung1man4 a3?
How many years of Chinese have you taken?
To ask a yes/no question with jo2 the pattern is:
Subject + Verb + jo2 + Object + mei6
Example:
nei3 sik6jo2 faan6 mei6 a3?
nei3 faan1jo2 uk1kei2 mei6 a3?

Have you eaten dinner?

Have you gone home yet?

In the response, the object may be omitted, for example:

sik6jo2 la3
Ive eaten
faan1jo2 la3

Ive returned

6) Negative mei6 not yet

The verbal negative mei6 simply means that an action or event has not taken
place yet. As such, it suggests such an action or event may occur. mei6 can be
reinforced with the adverb jung6 still for emphasis, but it is not needed for the
basic negation.
Examples:
ngo5 mei6 sik6faan6
I have not eaten yet
keui5 jung6 mei6 seung5tong4!

He still hasnt gone to class yet

7) Particle la3 (laak3) (affirmation, new situation, current relevance)

The sentence-final particle la3 if used quite often in various contexts. When used
in a response to a jo2mei6? question it adds a sense of affirmation and finality.
Example:
nei5 bat1jo2 yip6 mei6 a3?
Have you graduated yet?
bat1jo2 (yip6) la3
keui5 jau2jo2 mei6 a3?
jau2jo2 la3

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Ive graduated
Did he leave yet?
Yes, he left

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In other situations, the sentence with la3 indicates that the statement is a new
situation or what is mentioned has some current relevance.
chaai1yan4 lei4 la3!

The cops are coming!

ngo5 m4 jou6 go2 fan6 gung1 la3!

Im not working at that job anymore!

ngo5 duk2jo2 gei2sap6 chi3 la3! (gei2sap6: several tens; chi3: MW times)
Ive read it dozens of times! (Lets say someone says youve never read it.)
8) Question Words Overview
Heres a list of question words:
bin1go3 who?
bin1dou6 where?
bin1 + MW which?
mat1ye5 what?
2
dim yeung2 + V how?
dim2gaai2 why?
dim2 how?

gei2si4
gei dim (jung2)
gei2do1 + MW
gei2 + adj.
jou6me1
2

when?
what time?
how many?
how (adj.)
how could it be?,
how is it that?

9) Sentences with Several Verbs

In Cantonese, you can link several verbs together in sequence to form sentences,
which in English would have to be done with helping words and particles. Part of
this is due to the flexibility in function of certain words like heui3 to go and lei4 to
come. The following somewhat nonsensical sentence illustrates this point; verbs
are italicized.
keui5 heui3 jo2 wan2 yan4 lei4 ni1dou6 bong1 ngo5 lam2 baan6faat6 heui3 wan2 chin2.
he- go- [part.]- find- person- come- here- help- me- think- method- go- find money.
He went to find someone to come here and help me think of a way to go and
make money.
10) Verbs: seung2 + verb to want to and yiu3 + verb to need to; to have to
This pattern has the English meanings above only when patterned with verbs
phrases. When patterned with nouns or whole sentences, they have different
meanings, so pay attention to the context. The following examples show how to
indicate wants and needs.
Example:
ngo5 seung2 sei3dim2 sik6faan6.
ngo5 yiu3 sei3dim2 sik6faan6.
I want to eat at 4 oclock.
I have to eat at 4 oclock.
nei5 dim2gaai2 seung2 duk6 jung1man4 a3?
Why do you want to study Chinese?
nei5 dim2gaai2 yiu3 duk6 jung1man4 a3?
Why do you have to study Chinese?
11) Possessives in Cantonese
There are several ways to form the possessive in Cantonese. Depending on the
situation, more than one form may be allowed.
a) Possessor + Measure Word + Possessed
This is the preferred colloquial construction used for nouns that have
associated measure words
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Examples:
ngo5 go3 pang4yau5
My friend

UC Berkeley

keui5 jek3 gau2

His dog

nei5 gaan1 uk1

Your house

To indicate plural number, the measure word di1 can be used.

ngo5 di1 pang4yau5
my friends

nei5dei6 di1 man6tai4

your (pl.) questions/problems

b) Possessor + ge3 + Possessed

This construction tends to be used in formal contexts (i.e. news
broadcast), or when there is no associated measure word.
Mei5Gwok3 ge3 ging1jai3
Americas economy

ni1dou6 ge3 fuk6mou6 (also di1)

the service here

However, when you use ge3 with nouns that definitely have a
measure word, the number becomes ambiguous and it could
sometimes sounds more awkward.
Example:
ngo5 ge3 pang4yau5 (in this case, go3 or di1 is preferred)
my friend(s)
Mei5Gwok3 ge3 daai6hok6 (both ge3 and di1 are acceptable)
Americas schools
nei5 ge3 gai3waak6 (also go3)
your plan
Note: In cases where the possessor is a pronoun and the possessed
is a kinship term or closely linked to the possessor, the possessive
marker may be omitted, for example: ngo5 ma4ma1 my mother, nei5
uk1kei2 your home
c) Possessor + ni1/go2 + Measure Word + Possessed
The ni1/go2 can be added to further specify the possessed item.
Examples:
ngo5 ni1 fan6 gung1 nei5 go2 gaan1 uk1
this job of mine that house of yours
12) Adverb sin1(ji3) not until/only then
The adverb sin1(ji3) actually has a meaning of only then, but not until, despite
being a negative, is the closest equivalent in English. This is just one of the
meanings of sin1(ji3).
Examples:
ngo5 bat1jo2yip6 sin1ji3 wan2gung1.
I wont look for work until after I graduate.
keui5 ng5dim2 sin1 dou3.

He isnt arriving until 5 oclock.

It can also be used to emphasize a contrast.

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Examples:
keui5 sin1ji3 hai6 go3 hou2 hok6saang1
Now, he is (what you would call) a good student
ngo5 sin1ji3 m4 jung1yi3.

Now, I for one, dont like it

13) Adverb gam3 + Adj so; that

The adverb gam3 patterns with an adjective to give emphasis to it.
Examples:
gam3 gwai3 gam3 naan4jou6 gam3 hou2 a4?
so expensive so difficult to do that great?
yu6gwo2 keui3 gam3 lek1, jou6me1 keui3 m4sik1 jou6 ga6? (sik1: to know)
if hes that smart, how come he doesnt know how to do it?
14) Pattern: yu4gwo2 (ge3wa2), (subject) + jau6 + if,then
In a statement, the yu4gwo2 introduces the condition, and then the jau6 is used in
the second clause to indicate the consequence or result. jau6 can be omitted
depending on context.
Examples:
yu4gwo2 ngo5 yau5 si4gaan3, jau6 lei4 nei5 go3 saang1yat6 pa1ta1 (la1!)
If I have time, then Ill come to your birthday party
yu4gwo2 m4sik1 jou6 ni1 fan6 gung1fo3, jau6 dim2syun3 a3?
If I dont know how to do this homework, then what am I going to do?
yu4gwo2 ngo5 gam1nin2 bat1yip6 ge3wa2, yi4ga1 jau6 yiu3 heui3 wan2gung1
ge3 la3.
If I graduate this year, then Ill have to go find a job now

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Time and Date Overview

Time
Times on the Hour are simply #Hr + dim (or dim2 jung1). Hours + Minutes are expressed
as #Hr + dim2 + #Min + fan1.
Example:
1:14
11:00
2:30

yat1 dim2 sap6 sei3 fan1

sap6 yat1 dim2 [jung1]
leung5 dim2bun3

Other ways of Expressing Minutes:

Daap6 + Clock Number
Example: daap6 7 = 35 fan1
3 3
Clock Number + go ji
Example: 3 go3 ji3 = 15 fan1
Specifying Times of Days
To specify time of day, place the following time words before the time
morning jiu1 jou2, yat1 jou2,
afternoon aan3 jau3,
jou2 seung6 (fml.)
ha6 ng5 (fml.)
6
5
evening, night ye maan ,
midnight bun3 ye2
5
6
mann seung (fml.)
early morning ling4 san4
Day (Relative)
today gam1 yat6
tomorrow ting1 yat6
the day after hau6 yat6
tomorrow
Abbreviated Forms
Time Of Day
Morning
Afternoon
Night

Yesterday
kam4 yat6 jiu1
kam4 yat6 aan3 jau3
kam4 maan5

yesterday kam4/cham4 yat6

the day before chin4 yat6
yesterday
Today
gam1 jiu1
gam1 yat6 aan3 jau3
gam1 maan5

Tomorrow
ting1 jiu1
ting1 yat6 aan3 jau3
ting1 maan5

Days of the Week

The days of the week are expressed with lai5 baai3 or sing1kei4, both expressions are
used interchangeably in conversation.
Monday
sing1kei4yat1
lai5baai3yat1
Month

Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
sing1kei4yi6 sing1kei4saam3 sing1kei4sei3 sing1kei4ng5 sing1kei4luk6
lai5baai3yi6 lai5baai3saam3 lai5baai3sei3 lai5baai3ng5 lai5baai3luk6
Months are expressed by Number + Yut6
January yat1yut6
February yi6 yut6
March saam3 yut6
April sei3 yut6
May ng5 yut6
June luk6 yut6

July
August
September
October
November
December

Sunday
sing1kei4yat6
lai5baai3yat6

chat1 yut6
baat3 yut6
gau2 yut6
sap6 yut6
sap6 yat1 yut6
sap6 yi6 yut6

Date
Dates are expressed by Number + hou6 (formal: number + yat6)
Example: 10/31
sap6 yut6 saam1 sap6 yat1 hou6
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Year
Years are expressed by Number + nin4
When reading the years, read each number individually, unlike counting
Example:

1996
2008

yat1 gau2 gau2 luk6 nin4

yi6 ling4 ling4 baat3 nin4

Weeks and Months (Relative)

This is expressed by seung6 go3 (last) and ha6 go3 (next)
this week ni1 go3 sing1 kei4
this month
gam1 go3 sing1 kei4
last week seung6 go3 sing1 kei4
last month
next week ha6 go3 sing1 kei4
next month
Beginning of
the month

~ yat6 tau4
~ yut6 cho1

Middle of the
month

~ yut6 jung1

Years (Relative)
this year gam1 nin2
last year gau6 nin2
seung6 nin2
heui3 nin4 (fml)
year before last chin2 nin2

ni1 go3 yut6

gam1 go3 yut6
seung6 go3 yut6
ha6 go3 yut6

End of the
month

~ yut6 mei5
~ yut6 dai2

next year cheut1 nin2

ha6 nin2
ming4 nin4 (fml)
year after next hau6 nin2

More Complex Examples (note the order in Chinese)

Wed, 9/20/2006:

yi6 ling4 ling4 luk6 nin4, gau2 yut6 yi6 sap6 hou6, sing4 kei4 saam3

End of August of Next Year:

Next Thursday at 8:20 PM:

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cheut1 nin2 baat3 yut6 mei5

ha6 go3 sing1 kei4 sei3, ye6 maan5 baat3 dim2 yi6 sap6 fan1

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Lesson 5: Hobbies
Dialogue 1
Yale Romanization
English Translation
6
5
4
6
5
5
3
Susan: wei David, nei cham yat yau mou heui
Susan: Hey David, did you go to karaoke
cheung3 K a3?
yesterday?
David: ngo5 mou5 heui3 a3. nei5 ne1?
David: I did not go, did you?
Susan: ngo5 dou1 mou5 heui3. nei5 cheung3 gwo3 K Susan: I also did not go. Have you been to
mei6 a3?
karaoke before?
David: mei3 a3. ngo5 bun2loi4 seung2 heui3 ge3,
David: Nope, never. I originally wanted to go, but I
6
6
5
4
6
4
1
4
daan hai ngo kam yat m dak haan .
wasnt free yesterday.
Susan: ngo5dei6 ha6 go3 sing1kei4 yat1chat4 heui3,
Susan: How about we go together next week, does
hou2 m4 hou2 a3?
that sound good?
David: hou2 a3! ngo5 yau5 gei2 sau2 go1 seung2
David: Ok! There are few songs I want to sing.
cheung3.
Susan: hai6 a4? bin1 gei2 sau2 a3?
Susan: Really? Which songs?
David: gei2 sau2 Twins ge3 go1 lo1.
David: A few of Twins songs.
Susan: ha1ha1, nei1 dou1 jung1yi3 Twins a4?!
Susan: Haha, you also like Twins?! Do they even
keui5dei6 sik1 m4 sik1 cheung3 go3 ga3?
know how to sing?
David: m4gan2yiu3. hai6 ngo5 heui3 cheung3 K, m4
David: Thats not important. Im the one going to
hai6 keui5dei6.
karaoke, not them.
Susan: ai1ya4 sei4 la3. nei5 jung6 cha1 gwo3
Susan: Oh no! Youre even worse than them!
keui5dei6!
Note: hai6 m4 hai6 is often contracted to hai6 mai6 in conversation
Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
cheung3
dou1
gwo3
bun2loi4
seung2
sau2
sik1
4
m gan2yiu3
sei4 la3
jung6
cha1

Part of Speech
K VO (Verb + Object)
Adv
Particle
Adv
V
MW
V
Expression
Expression
Adv
Adj

English Meaning
to sing karaoke
also
[indicates experience]
originally
to want to
measure for songs
to know (how to)
its not important; it doesnt matter
oh no; damn
still
to be bad

Dialogue 2 :: Leo arrives at the tennis court, where Ben is practicing. ::

Yale Romanization
English Translation
6
5
2
2
2
6
4
Leo: wei Ben, nei dang -jo hou noi la ?
Leo: Hey Ben, did you wait for a long time?
Ben: m4hai6, ngo5 dou1 ngaam1ngaam1 dou3 je1.
Ben: Nope, I also just got here.
Leo: nei5 hai2dou6 jou6-gan2 mat1ye5 a3?
Leo: What are you doing here?
Ben: mou5mat1ye5, lin6-gan2 bo1 je1.
Ben: Nothing much, just practicing tennis.
Leo: gam2 di1 bo2 hai2 bin1 a3?
Leo: So where are all the balls?
Ben: da2 saai3 cheut1 gaai1 lo1.
Ben: I hit them all out into the street.
Leo: yau5mou5 gaau2 cho3 a3?! nei5 sik1 m4 sik4 da2 Leo: What the heck?! Do you know how to
ga3?
play?
Ben: gang2hai6 m4 sik1 la1! yu4gwo2 ngo5 sik1 da2
Ben: Of course I dont know how. If I knew how
mong5kau4, ngo5 jau6 m4sai2 lin6 la1!
to play tennis, I wouldnt need to practice.
Leo: gam2yau6hai6. ngo5 yi4ga1 tung4 nei5 da1 yat1
Leo: Thats true. How about I play one game
cheung4 mong5kau4, hou2 m4 hou2 a3?
(of tennis) with you now, is that ok?
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Ben: hou2daan6hai6 ngo5dei6 mou3 saai3 bo1 la3,

dim2syun3 a3?
Leo: nei5 seung2 m4 seung2 heui3 jap1 a3?
Note: hai2 bin1 is short for hai2 bin1dou6

Ben: okbut, were all out of balls, what do we

do?
Leo: Do you want to go pick (them up)?

is often contracted to in conversation. is short for

Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
dang2
noi6
dou3
je1
hai2dou6
gan2
mou5mat1ye5
lin6
bo1
da2
cheut1
gaai1
mong5kau4
m4sai2
gam2yau6hai6
cheung4
jap1

Part of Speech
V
Adj
V
Particle
Expression
Particle
Expression
V
N
V
V
N
N
V
Expression
MW
V

Dialogue 3
Yale Romanization
Fiona: wei6 Stella, nei5 dak1haan4 jung1yi3 jou3 di1
mat1ye5 a3?
Stella: ngo5 jung1yi3 tai2-ha5 lin4juk6kek6.
Fiona: nei5 jung1yi3 bin1 di1 kek6jaap6 a3?
Stella: yan1wai4 ni1paai4 hon4kek6 hou2 lau4hang4,
so2yi5 ngo5 tai2-jo2 hou2 do1 hon4kek6.
Fiona: nei5 jung1yi3 bin1 tou3 a3?
Stella: ngo5 ngaam1ngaam1 tai2 yun4 yat1 tou3,
giu3jou6 Long6Maan6Mun5Uk1.
Fiona: hou2 m4 hou2tai2 a3?
Stella: chiu1 hou2tai2 a3. nei5 tai2-gwo3 mei6 a3?
Fiona: ngo5 tai2-gwo3 yat1 ci3, daan6hai6 ngo5
gok3dak1 m4 hou2tai2.
Note: hai2 bin1 is short for hai2 bin1dou6
Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
kek6jaap6
hon4kek6
tai2
tou3
yun4
giu3jou6
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Part of Speech
N
N
V
MW
Particle
V

English Meaning
to wait
long (time)
to arrive
[only, just]
to be here; there
[progressive action]
nothing much
to practice
ball
to hit
to go out
street
tennis
no need to
thats right; thats true
measure for sports match, movie showing,
theatrical performance
to pick up
English Translation
Fiona: Hey Stella, when youre free what kind of
things you do you like to do?
Stella: I like to watch a bit of TV drama series.
Fiona: Which dramas do you like to watch?
Stella: Since Korean dramas have been really
popular, Ive watched a lot of Korean dramas.
Fiona: Which one do you like?
Stella: I just finished watching one called Full
House.
Fiona: Was it good?
Stella: It was super good! Have you seen it
before?
Fiona: I saw it once, but thought it wasnt good.

English Meaning
dramas
Korean dramas
to watch; to see
measure for sets of things
[indicates a finish or end]
to be called

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Long6Maan6Mun5Uk1
ci3
gok3dak1

Proper Noun
MW
V

UC Berkeley

Full House (a Korean drama)

measure for a time (occurrences)
to think that; to find that

Grammar
1) yau5/mou5 + Verb (Referring to the Past)
When used in a question or negative statements that refer to the past, the verbs
yau5/mau5 to have/to not have functions somewhat like the V + jo2 (+mei6)
construction that you have learned in the previous lesson. In English, it
sometimes translates to did/did not V. Unlike the V + jo2 (+mei6), there is no
indication that the event may happen, it simply negates the event.
Examples:
nei5 yau5 mou5 sik6 faan6 a3?
Did you eat?
yau5 (a3). (here, the a3 softens the tone)
Yes.
keui5 gam1jiu1 mou5 seung5tong4
I did not go to class this morning
When used outside the context of a question, the affirmative yau5 is used for
emphasizing a past event.
kam4yat6 mou5 yan4 heui3 tai2hei3.
Yesterday, no one went to watch movies
m4hai6 a3! ngo5 yau5 heui5!
No, I did go!
2) Aspect particle gwo3 (Experience)
The aspect particle gwo3 attaches to verbs and indicates that an action has
occurred at least once before and suggests the meaning of experience.
Example:
ngo5 heui3-gwo3 Heung1Gong2 saam3 chi3.
I have been to Hong Kong three times
keui5 da2-gwo3 juk1kau4 tung4maai4 mong5kau4.
He has played soccer and tennis
The negative form is usually mei6 + Verb + gwo3 + Object
ngo5 mei6 sik6-gwo3 si6do1be1lei2
I have never eaten strawberries
nei5 teng1-gwo3 Twins mei6 a3?
Have you every heard of Twins (a pop duo in HK)
3) Adverbs dou1 and yau6 also
While both dou1 and yau6 are both adverbs that mean also, they differ on what
is being modified.
The adverb dou1 modifies the subject of the sentence.
ngo5 hou2 jung1yi3 Heung1Gong2
I like Hong Kong a lot.
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keui5 dou1 hou2 jung1yi3 Heung1Gong2

He also likes Hong Kong a lot.
The adverb yau6 modifies the predicate of the sentence.
ngo5 yau6 hou2 jung1yi3 Saan1Faan4Si5
I also like San Francisco a lot
keui5 sik6-jo2 leung5 go3 ping4gwo2. keui5 yau6 sik6-jo2 saam1 go3 chaang2.
He ate two apples. He also ate three oranges
4) Aspect particle gan2
(Progressive On-going Action)
The aspect particle gan2 is attached to verb to indicate that the action is in
progress, and is similar to the English ing form of verbs.
Sometimes gan2 is reinforced by hai2dou2 to be here, there
keui5 hai2dou6 gong2-gan2 din6wa2 (gong2: to talk, din6wa2: phone)
Hes talking on the phone
You can also use hai2dou6 when talking about the presence of sometime.
sin1saang1 hai2 m4 hai2dou6 a3? keui5 yi4ga1 m4 hai2dou6
Is the teacher here Hes not here now
5) Definiteness of Nouns
In Cantonese, you can make nouns definite by adding the corresponding
measure word.
Example:
bun2 syu1 hai2 bin1 a3?
di1 yan4 jau2 saai3.
Where is the book?
The people all left
go3 sai3lou6 hou2 lek1.
The kid is very smart

tou3 hei3 m4 hou2tai2

the movie wasnt good

6) Resultative Complements
In Chinese, verbs often take on a verbal complement, which indicates the result
of an action. In English, many times the meaning of what is expressed by the
complement is instead encoded in the verb itself, or via other methods. One
example of a resultative in English the following sentence: He swept the floor
clean. The resultative adjective clean is the result of the action sweep.
In this lesson, the two resultatives are: (a) V+saai3 all, completely and (b)
Verb + yun4 finished
(a) Resultative Complement V + saai3 all, completely
The particle saai3 is attached to verbs to indicate the quantity all. Note that in
Verb-Object compounds, saai3 comes after the verb and before the object.
When the verb is intransitive, then the saai3 will quantify the subject of the
sentence. Example:
di1 hok6saang1 fan3 saai3 gaau3 (fan3gaau3: to sleep)
The students all went to sleep
When the verb is transitive, then the saai3 will quantify the object of the sentence.
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Example:
keui3 yam2 saai3 di1 naai5cha4
He drank all the milk tea

ngo5 tai2 saai2 ni1di1 kek6jaap6

I watched all these dramas

(b) Resultative Complement V + yun4 finished

The resultative complement yun4 is attached to verbs to indicate that an action
has been finished or ended. Sometimes it carries the same meaning of the
aspect particle jo2, but yun4 specifically indicates that some process has finished
in its entirety.
Examples:
ngo5 tai2 yun4 din6si6 la3.
I have finished watching TV.
keui1 ngaam1ngaam1 seung5 yun4 tong4
He just finished class
7) Final Particle je1 only; thats all
The particle je1 plays down an action or an quantity, and has the meaning of
just or only
ngo5 tai2-ha5 je1
yat1 go3 jung1tau4 je1
Im only taking a look!
Its just one hour!
8) Aspect particle ha5 dofor a bit/for a while
The aspect particle ha5 is attached to verbs to indicate an action goes on for a
little bit or little while. Theres no direct English translation.
Examples:
cheung5-ha5 K
da2-ha5 bo1
yam2-ha5 jau2
sing some karaoke
play some ball
have a drink
si3-ha5
give it a try

lam2-ha5
think for a moment

tai2-ha5
take a look

ngo5 dak1haan4 jung1yi3 haang4-ha5 gaai1 (haang4gaai1: to go out/to shop)

When I have free time I like to go out and shop a bit.
9) Forming adjectives with hou2 + verb
The word hou2 good combines with certain verbs to express the meaning that
something is good with respect to a certain activity. This is translated in various
ways in English.
Examples:
hou2waan2
hou2sik6
hou2tai2
fun (to play)
delicious (to eat)
enjoyable (to watch, to read)
hou2teng1
good (to listen to)

hou2yam2
delicious (to drink)

hou2se2
good to write with (i.e.: a pen)
ni1 bun2 syu1 hou2tai2 ni1 go3 yau4hei3 hou2waan2 (yau4hei3: game)
This book is interesting This game is fun
ni1 ji1 bat1 hou2se2 (ji1: MW for stick like objects; bat1: pen)
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This pen is good to write with

10) Verbal Complement yun4 finished V
The resultative complement yun4 is attached to verbs to indicate that an action
has been finished or ended. Sometimes it carries the same meaning of the
aspect particle jo2, but yun4 specifically indicates that the action has ended.
Examples:
ngo5 tai2 yun4 din6si6 la3. keui1 ngaam1ngaam1 seung5 yun4 tong4
I have finished watching TV. He just finished class
11) Expression gok3dak1 think that
This expression indicates that opinion of the subject, and can be directly
translated into the English as to think that, to find that
Examples:
nei3 gok3dak1 dim2 a3?
How do you find it?/What do you think of it?
keui5 gok3dak1 m4 hou2waan2.
He thinks (its) not fun

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Hobbies
play ball (hit the ball)
~basketball
~baseball
~volleyball
~football
~ping pong
~tennis
~golf
~badminton
play soccer (kick~)
swimming
surf
ski
run
riding a bike

da2 bo1
da2 laam4 kau4
da2 paang5 kau4
da2 paai4 kau4
da2 mei5 sik1 juk1 kau4
da2 bing1 bam1 bo1
da2 mong5 kau4
da2 go1 yi5 fu1 kau4
da2 yu5mou4kau4
tek3 juk1 kau4 (tek3 bo1)
yau4 seui2
waat6 long6
waat6 syut3
paau2 bou6
chaai2/yaai2 daan1 che1

sing / karaoke
listen to music
dance

cheung3 go1/cheung3 K
teng1 yam1 ngok6
tiu3 mou5

play chess (or similar game) juk1 kei2

play video/pc games
da2 gei1
shop
go to the mall
go out (to shop)

maai5 ye5
haang4 gung1 si1/seung1 cheung4
haang4 gaai2

study/read books
eat
drink alcohol
sleep

duk6 syu1
sik6 ye5
yam2 jau2
fan3 gaau3

watch TV
~movies
~TV series
talk on the phone

tai2 din6 si6

tai2 hei6
kek6 jaap6
gong2 / king1 din6 wa2

Slang - too excessively:

~talk on phone
~watch videos/series

bou1 din6 wa2 juk1

bou1 daai2/bou1 kek6 jaap6

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(also: kwaang3)

MW: cheut1, tou3

MW: tou3

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Lesson 6: Transportation
Dialogue 1
Yale Romanization
Subway Announcement: lit6che1 jik1jeung1
dou3daat6, ching2 sin1yeung6 che1 seung6
sing4haak3 lok6che1(followed by Mandarin, English)
(Kevins phone rings)
Kevin: wei2!
Jerry: wei6 Kevin! Jerry a3! nei5 yi4ga1 hai2 bin1 a3?

English Translation
Subway Announcement: The train is arriving.
Please let passengers exit first.
Kevin: Hello?
Jerry: Hey Kevin. Its Jerry. Where are you right
now?
Kevin: Im riding the bus now, about to arrive.
What about you?
Jerry: I just got on the subway. Oh yea, have you
decided where to go to have dim sum yet.

Kevin: ngo5 yi4ga1 daap3-gan2 ba1si2, jau6faai3 dou3

la3! nei5 ne1?
Jerry: ngo5 ngaam1ngaam1 seung5-jo2 dei6tit3.
hai6wo3, nei5kyut3ding6-jo2 heui3 bin1dou6 yam2cha6
mei6 a3?
Kevin: ngo5dei6 heui3 Fun1Lok3Lau4, hou2-m4-hou2
a3?
Jerry: hou2 a6! dim2 heu?
Subway Announcement: ching2mat6 kaau3gan6
che1mun4 (followed by Mandarin, English)

Kevin: Well go to Happy Happy Restaurant, hows

that sound?
Jerry: Sounds good, how do I get?
Subway Announcement: Please stand back from
the doors.

Kevin: dang2, jan6gaan1 gin3! baai1baai1!

Jerry: mat1ye5wa2? wei2, wei2, wei2?

Kevin: wait. See you in a bit! Bye!

Jerry: What?? Hello? Hello? Hello?

Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
mat1ye5wa2?
Daap3
jau6faai3
dei6tit3
kyut3ding6
yam2cha4
che1mun4
jan6gaan1
lok6che1
gin3

Part of Speech
Expression
V
Adv
N
V
VO
N
Time Word/Adv
VO
V

English Meaning
What did you say?
to take/ride
about to, soon
subway
to decide
to have dim sum
car door
in a while, soon; a moment
to get off, alight
to see; to meet

Extra Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
sing4haak3
jik1jeung1
dou3daat6
yeung6
lit6che3
ching2mat6
kaau3gan6

Part of Speech
N
Adv
V
V
N
V
Expression

English Meaning
passenger (fml.)
about to; soon (fml.)
to arrive (fml.)
to yield to, to let
train (fml.)
Please do not(fml.)
to get close to, near (fml.)

Dialogue 2
Yale Romanization
Jerry: bai6 la3, haang4 cho3-jo2 lou6. siu2je2,
cheng2man6, ngo5 seung2 heui3 Tong4Yan4Fau6.
nei5ji1-m4-ji1 dim2 haang4 a3?
Passer-by: la4, nei5 sau2sin1 hai2 ni1go3 gaai1hau2
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English Translation
Jerry: Shoot! I went the wrong way. Excuse me,
miss. I want to go to Chinatown. Do you know how
to get there?
Passer-by: Here, first you turn right on this

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Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

jyun3 yau6, yin4ji1hau6 jik6 haang4, joi3 gwo3 saam1

tiu3 ma5lou6, jeui3hau6 hai2 Gau2Gaai1 jyun3 jo2.
Jerry: hou2, m4goi1! hai6wo3, jung6yau5, ngo5
seung2 man6, Fun1Lok6Lau4 hai2 bin1 a3?
Passer-by: hai2 ting4che1cheung4 deui3min6. nei5
yat1 haang4dou3 Gau2Gaai1 jau6 wui5 gin3 dou2 ge3
la3! gaan1 cha4lau4 wui5 hai2 nei5 jo2-sau2bin6
Jerry: m4goi1saai3!
Passer-by: m4sai2haak3hei3!
Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
bai6 la3
lou6
siu2je2
Tong4Yan4Fau6 also
Tong4Yan4Gaai1
ji1
3
heui dim2 haang4 a3?
sau2sin1
gaai1hau2
jyun3
yau6
jo2
4
yin (ji1) hau6
joi3
jik6
gwo3
gaai3
jeui3hau6
Gau2Gaai1
jung6yau5
Fun1Lok6Lau4
ting4che1cheung4
deui3min6
wui5
gin3
gaan1
cha4lau4

Facilitators: Mel Lo & Jeannie Fong

intersection. Afterwards you go straight, and then

cross three streets. Finally, turn left on 9th Street.
Jerry: Ok, thanks! Oh yea, I want to also ask
where Happy Restaurant is.
Passer-by: Its across from the parking lot. Once
you get to 9th Street, you will see it.
The restaurant will be on your left.
Jerry: Thanks a lot!
Passer Your welcome!

Part of Speech
Expression
N
N
N

English Meaning
Shoot! Darn it! Crap!
road
Miss
Chinatown

V
Expression
Adv
N
V
Adv
Adv
Adv/Conj.
Adv
Adv
V
N
Adv
Proper N
Expression
Proper N
N
N
V
V
N
MW

to know
How do I get to?
first(ly)
block, intersection
to turn
right
left
after that; afterwards
in addition, again
straight
to cross; to pass
street
last, finally
Ninth Street
Also
Happy Happy Restaurant
parking lot
across from
will, would
to see
measure for rooms, some buildings
restaurant

Dialogue 3
:: Kevins Phone Rings::
Yale Romanization
Kevin: wei2, ngo5dei6 sik6 yun4 la3. gam3 noi6 ga3!
Jerry: ngo5 wan2 m4 dou2 nei5dei6 wo3. nei5dei6 hai2
bin1 a3?
Kevin: nei5 seung5 lei4 la1! ngo5dei6 cho5 hai2
lau4seung6.
Jerry:ngo5 yi5wai4 nei5dei5 hai2 mun4hau2 dang2 wo3
Kevin: ngo5 tau4sin1 dou1 wa6-jo2 hai2 lau4seung6
lok3!
Jerry: ngo5 tau4sin1 hai2 dei6tit6, mat1ye5 dou2 teng1
m4 dou2 a3. nei5 yau6 gam3 faai3 sau1sin6!
yau5mou5gaau3cho3a3?
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UC Berkeley

English Translation
Kevin: Were done eating. (What took) so long?
Jerry: Well, I cant find you. Where you are you?
Kevin: Come up! Were sitting upstairs.
Jerry: I thought you were waiting at door.
Kevin: Anyway, I just told you (earlier) that (were)
upstairs.
Jerry: I was just on the subway, couldnt hear
anything. You hung up so fast! Come on, you gotta
be kidding me!

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UC Berkeley

Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
noi6
wan2
wo3
seung5
cho5
4
lau seung6
yi5wai4
mun4hau2
tau4sin1
wa6
teng1
yau6
faai3
sau1sin3

Part of Speech
Adj
V
Part.
V
V
N
V
N
Time Word/Adv
V
V
Adv
Adj
V

English Meaning
long (time)
to look for; find
[tells listener to take note of the statement]
to go up
to sit
upstairs
to think (mistakenly)
doorway
a moment ago, earlier
to say, to tell
to listen
[adds emphasis] lit. again
fast
to hang up the phone

Supplementary Vocabulary
Yale Romanization
mou5gei2noi6
noi6bat1noi2
yat1jan6 (gaan1)
lau4ha6
# + lau2
3
jing wa6 (=tau4sin1)
kei5
2
6
da din wa2 (bei2)
jip3/teng1 din6wa2
gong2
yun5
kan5
kei4sat6
yun4loi4

Part of Speech
Time Word/Adv
Time Word/Adv
Time Word/Adv
N
N
Time Word/Adv
V
VO
VO
V
Adj
Adj
Expression
Expression

English Meaning
not long
now and then, occasionally
a moment; in a while/soon
downstairs
Nth floor
a moment ago, earlier
to stand
to make a phone call (to)
to pick up/answer the phone
to speak, to tell
far
close, near
Actually
It turns out that

Grammar
1) Resultative Complement
V + dou3 to arrive at, to get to (by V-ing)
Adding dou3 (third tone) to the verb shows that an action has reached a certain
point in time or location.
Example:
ngo5 duk6 dou3 dai6 saam1 yip6. keui5 faan2 dou3 uk1kei2 la3!
I read to page three. Hes arrived home!
ngo5 kam4maan6 jou6 dou3 saam1 dim2 sin1ji3 fan3gaau3.
Last night, I worked until 3, (and it wasnt until 3) that I went to bed.
2) Resultative Complement
V + dou2 to be able to V, could V
By adding dou2 (second tone) to verbs (many of which are some perception
verbs) shows that you were/are/will be able or that you could do that action. It
does not imply any completion of action, nor does it imply any sort of tense.
Examples:
nei5 tai2-m4-tai2 dou2 ngo2 a3? ngo5 tau4sin1 gam2gok3 dou2.
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43

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Can you see me? I could feel it earlier.

keui5 yaai2 dou2 ngo5 bou6 din6 a3! ngo5 gin3 dou2 keui3 tau1ye5.
He stepped on my computer! I saw him steal.
Negative: V + m4 + dou2
ngo5 ting1yat6 faan1 m4 dou2 uk1kei5.
I wont be able return home tomorrow.
keui5 gei3 m4 dou2 ngo5 go3 dei6ji2 (gei3: to remember, dei6ji2: address)
He cant/couldnt remember my address!
3) Sequential Actions
In order to form a sequence of events, use the following patterns to connect the
actions.
1
sin1 or sau2sin1
First
1 1
6
1
6
yin (ji )hau or gan jyu
And then/Afterwards
joi3
In addition
3
6
jeui hau
Finally/Lastly.
Example:
ngo5 gam1yat1 yiu3 tiu3mou5 sin1, gan1jyu6 da2 mong5kau4, gan1jyu6
cheung3go1, jeui3hau6 yau4seui2.
Today I need to dance first, then play tennis, then sing, and swim last.
Note: 1Spoken Cantonese places sin1 after the verb, but when you use
sau2sin1 or use more formal Cantonese, it goes before the verb.
Example:
Formal: ching2 sin1 yeung6 che1 seung6 sing4haak3 lok6che1
Please let passengers exit first. (verb here is yeung6 to yield/let)
Colloquial: nei5 bei2 keui5 lok6che1 sin1 la1! (bei2: to allow/let)
Let him get off first!
4) sik1 versus ji1 to know
The verb sik1 is used to mean to know when you are talking about knowing a
person or knowing some sort of skill. On the other hand, ji1 (sometimes ji1dou6) is
usually used when you know a fact or some sort of information.
Example:
nei5 sik1-m4-sik1 ngo5 go3 pang4yau5 a3?
Do you know my friend?
keui5 sik3 (gong2) Gwong2Dung1Wa2.
He knows (how to speak) Cantonese
ngo5 ji1dou3 saai3 nei5 di1 bei3mat6!
keui5 m4 ji1 nei5 hai6 hok6saang1.

I know all your secrets!

He doesnt know youre a student

5) Auxiliary Verb wui5 will, would

Although the verb wui5 is typically associated with a sort of future marker, it is not
always the case. Aside from indicating likelihood of future occurrence, it can also
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44

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

be used as to show ones willingness to do something, which in English would be

translated as would.
Example:
yu4gwo2 nei5 dak1haan4 ge3wa2, nei5 wui5 m4 wui5 bong1 keui5 a3?
Would you help him if you had time?
ngo5dei6 ting1yat6 wui5 cheung3 K.

We will go to karaoke tomorrow

ngo5dei6 ting1yat6 heui3 cheung3 K, hou2 m4 hou2? (no wui5 needed)

How about we sing karaoke tomorrow?
Sometimes, other adverbs are added to further specify the likelihood of future
occurrence.
keui5 yat1ding6 wui5 lei4 ngo5 go3 pa1ti4
He will definitely come to my party
keui5 ho2nang4 wui5 lei4.

He might come

6) Pattern: yat1jau6 As soon as, then

Examples:
ngo5 yat1 jou6 yun5 gung1fo3, jau6 fan3gaau3.
As soon as I finish my homework, I go to sleep
keui5 ma4ma1 yat1 tai2 keui5 jeung1 sing4jik1biu2 jau6 m4 hoi1sam1.
As soon as his mother saw his report card, she became unhappy.
sin1saang1 yat1 haang4 yap6 lei4, go3go3 jau4 m4 cheut1seng1
(cheut1seng1:to speak up)
Once the teacher walked in, everyone became silent
7) Particle wo3
The sentence final particle wo3 is added for emphasis and tells the listener to
take note of what was said, or to remind the listener of something.
ngo5 mat1ye5 dou1 tai2 m4 dou2 wo3! I cant see anything!
yi4ga2 Hon4Kek4 hou2 lau4hang4 wo3!
Korean dramas are popular now!
nei5 lam2 ching1cho2 wo3.
nei5 lau4yi3-ha5 wo3.

Think over it clearly!

Please pay some attention to it

8) QW + dou1 + V any
Depending on the question word used, the statement could mean anyplace/
thing/time/how, etc.
Examples:
keui5 bin1go3 dou1 jung1yi3
He likes anyone/any one
nei5 pang1yau5 mat1ye5 dou1 sik6
ngo5 gei2si4 dou1 dak1haan4

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Your friend eats anything

Im free anytime

45

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Negative: QW + dou1 + m4/mei6/mou5 + V

ngo5 gam1yat6 mat1ye5 dou1 mei6 jou6
I havent done anything today
keui5 gei2si4 dou1 m4 jou6 gung1fo3
She doesnt do homework anytime
keui5 bin1dou6 dou1 mou5 heui5-gwo3
He hasnt been to anywhere
9) Pattern: yi5wai4 thought (mistakenly)
The expression yi5wai4 is used to mean thought only when if what the speaker
says a mistaken thought or notion is. It is typically followed by daan6hai6 but,
kei4sat6 actually, and yun4loi4 it turns out that
Example:
ngo5 yi5wai4 keui5 hai6 sin1saang1, yun4loi4 keui5 dou1 hai6 hok6saang1
I thought he was a teacher, but it turns out he is also a student.
ngo5 yi5wai4 ngo4 pang4yau5 gam1yat6 wui6 lei4, daan6hai6 keui5 jeui3hau6
mou5 lei4.
I thought my friend would come, but in the end he did not come.
ngo5 yi5wai4 keui5 hou5 lek1, kei4sat4 keui5 jung6 cheun2 gwo3 jek3 ma5lau1.
I thought he was really smart, actually hes even dumber than a monkey
10) gong2 versus wa6 to speak/tell versus to say/tell
In Cantonese, gong2 means to speak or to tell N, for example:
gong2 Gwok3Yu5
speak Mandarin
gong2 gu3si6

tell a story

keui5 gong2 dak1 hou2 ching1cho2

he speaks very clearly

When you quote someone, you must use wa6 to say

keui5 wa6 nei6 hou2 jung1yi3 cheung3go1 wo3.
He says that you really like to sing
ngo6 wa6-jo2 hai2 lau4seung4 dang2.
I said to wait upstairs
However, when you are telling somebody something, wa6 and gong2 are usually
interchangeable.
keui5 wa6/gong2-gwo3 hou2 do1 ci3
Hes said it many times
nei5 wa6/gong2 bei2 ngo5 teng1 la1!
(You) Tell me!
Note the pattern above:
A + wa6/gong2 + bei2 + B + teng1/ji1
A told B / A let B know

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46

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Transportation
English
car
car (private)
automobile
motorcycle
bicycle
bus
minibus
taxi
train
subway
light rail
airplane
helicopter
boat
ferry
MW for vehicles (car, train, bus, taxi)

Yale Romanization
che1
si1 ga1 che1
hei3 che1
din6 daan1 che1
daan1 che1
ba1 si2
siu2 ba1
dik1 si2
fo2 che1
dei6 tit3
hing1 tit3
fei1 gei1
jik6 sing1 gei1
syun4
dou6 leun4
ga3, bou6

MW for flying machines (airplane, helicopter)

ga3

MW for boat
to ride
to ride a bike
to drive
driver
to board (car, taxi, bus, train)
to alight (car, taxi, bus, train)
bus/taxi/train fare
bus stop
stop/station (bus, train, subway)
platform
elevator
street/road
freeway
parking lot
parking space
airport
gate

jek3
daap3, cho5
chaai2/yaai2 daan1 che1
ja1
si1 gei1
seung5 che1
lok6 che1
che1 fai3
ba1 si2 jaam6
jaam6
yut6 toi4
lip1 (<Eng. Lift)
gaai1/lou6
gou1 chuk1 gung1 lou6
ting4 che1 cheung4
che1 wai2
(fei1) gei1 cheung4
jaap6 (hau2)

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47

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Location Outline
Recall from an earlier lesson the way to specify the location of something:
[a] Subject + hai2 + Location + Localizer + Verb + Object
keui5 hai2 Mei5Gwok3 duk6syu1. (duk6syu1 to attend school; to read)
I go to school in America.
[b] Subject + Verb + hai2 + Location + Localizer
This construction places the location after the verb, but is more limited to certain verbs in which
the action is static.
keui5 kei5 hai2 mun4hau2 dou6.
He/she is standing by/at the door.
We will now learn other words that can fill this localizer position:
seung6min6
ha6min6
dai2ha6

above, top of
below, bottom of
below, bottom of

chin4min6
hau6min6

in front of, before

in back of; behind

jo2sau2bin6

on the left of

jo2bin1

on the left of

yau6sau2bin6 on the right of

yau6bin1

on the right of

pong4bin1
gaak3lei4

beside
beside

deui3min6
jung1gaan1

across from
in the middle of

yap6min6
leui5tau4

inside
inside

leui5min6
cheut1min6

inside
outside

ni1dou6
ni1bin6
ni1tau4

here
this side
this area

go2dou6
go2bin6
go2tau4

there
that side
that area

dung1bin6
sai1bin6

east of
west of

dung1bin6
bak1bin6

south of
north of

A tung4 B ji1gaan1

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between A and B

48

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Location Usage Patterns

How to express the location of an object (note: the noun is definite):
[a] Noun + hai2 + Location + Localizer
bun2 syu1 hai2 toi2 dai2ha6/ha6min6.
The book is below the table

Dwinelle hai2 nei2 jo2sau2bin6.

Dwinelle is to your left.

How to express the existence of an object (note: the noun is indefinite):

[a] Location + Localizer + yau5 + Noun
hok6haau6 deui3min6 yau5 yat1 gaan1 chaan1gun2.
There is a restaurant across from school
How to express the location of an action (note: the subject is definite):
[a] Subject + hai2 + Location + Localizer + Verb + (Object)
keui5dei6 hai2 tou4syu1gun2 cheut1min6 duk6-gan2 syu1.
They are reading outside the library
[b] Subject + Verb + hai2 + Location + Localizer
ngo5 pang4yau5 kei5 hai2 ngo5 gaak3lei4
My friend is standing beside me.

keui5 fan3 hai2 so1fa2 seung3min

He sleeps on the sofa.

How to express the existence of an action (note: the subject is indefinite):

[a] yau5 + Noun + hai2 + Location + Localizer + Verb (+Object)
yau5 (yat1) go3 sin1saang1 hai2 fo3sat1 yap6min6 gaau3-gan2 syu1.
There is a teacher teaching inside the classroom
[b] yau5 + Noun + Verb + hai2 + Location + Localizer
yau5 go3 sai3lou6 gwai6 hai2 cheung1mun2 chin4min6.
There is a kid kneeling before the window

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49

Lesson 6: Exercises
Part I: Map Exercise
a) Fill in the blanks (including the lettered landmarks) with Cantonese Romanization
[A] Subway Station _______________

[B] and [E] Bus Stop _______________

[C] and [F] Taxi Stop ______________

[D] Light Rail Station ______________

b) Find a partner and practice asking each other for directions, starting with the following
situations. Note that some places have two exits. You may not take public transportation!
* Restaurant
Church
* Supermarket
Light Rail Station [D]
* Taxi Stop [C]
Bank
* Parking Lot (Canton St)
Post Office
* Bus Stop [E]
Gym
* Bus Stop [B]
Airport

* Library
Shopping Mall (2nd St)

* Hospital
Train Station
* University
Chinatown
* Bookstore
Hotel
* Subway Station [A]
Taxi Stop [F]

Part II: Translate the following in Cantonese

a) I am waiting for you at the bus station.
b) As soon as I exited the plane, I called my friend.
c) He does not know where I live.
d) My teacher says I do not know how to write Chinese.
e) How do I get from Chinatown to the airport?
f) I have decided to go to Hong Kong next semester.
g) Please wait a moment. I am looking for your book.
h) Earlier (a moment ago), I couldnt think of what his name was.
i) I have not gotten to (walked to) 8th Street yet.
j) Have you ever seen a restaurant this big before?
Part III: For the following sentences, either provide an answer to the question or
complete the sentence. Use the patterns when required.
a) nei3 gam1yat6 fong3-jo2 hok6 heui3 bin1 a3? (yat1jau6)
b) nei3 jou6-jo2 gung1fo3 mei6 a3? (QW + dou1 + V)
c) keui5 dang2-jo2 hou2 noi6 la4?
d) nei5 tai2-m4-tai2 dou2 ngo5 kei2 hai2 bin1 a3?
e) nei5 wui5-m4-wui5 hai2 Ga1Jau1 wan2 gung1 jou6 a3?
f) ngo5 yi5wai4 ___________________, yun4loi4 keui5 mat1ye5 dou1 mei6________________
g) keui5 hai2 din2wa2 tung4 nei5 gong2 mat1ye5 a3?
Part IV: Fill in the blanks with the correct term
a) ngo5 pang4yau5 _______ ngo5 m4 sik1 _______ Gwok3Yu2

(gong2; wa6)

b) nei5 _____-m4-_____ ngo5 ______ da2 mong5kau4 ga3? (ji1; sik1)

c) keui5 ______ ngo5 hai3 Mei5Gwok3Yan4, kei4sat6 ngo5 hai6 Ying1Gwok3Yan4
yi5wai4)

(gok3dak1,

d) ngo5 yi4wai4 yiu3 dang2 _______, daan6hai6 ngo5 jing6hai6 dang2-jo2 ______ je1 (hou2noi6,
yat1jan6)

Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Cultural Presentation
Section__________________ Due Date______________________

As part of the Cantonese Decal class, you will be giving a presentation about Hong Kong,
China, or anything about the Cantonese/Chinese culture. You may form a team of two and
present together. Due to time constraints, each person has to have at most 3 slides (so if you
are teaming up, you should have 6 slides), and each team will be limited to presenting for at
most 3 minutes (6 minutes if you have a partner). Below are topics you might find interesting:
University of Hong Kong
Dim Sum: The tradition, The history
Night Life in Hong Kong
Hong Kong International Airport
HK Disneyland
Shopping in HK
Hong Kong Harbor

For the presentation, each team must come up with a minimum of five new vocabulary words
that relate to your topic. Please place the vocabulary words into the presentation slides.
We welcome any other topics that are not listed here. Keep in mind the topic should not be too
broad, so instead of HK Tourism, you should choose some landmark or aspect to focus on.
Class time will be given so that you can brainstorm some ideas and find a teammate.
Please inform your section instructors about your topic by __________________. If you have
any questions and/or if you need any help finding a topic/teammate please email the instructor.

Facilitators: Mel Lo & Jeannie Fong

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Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Homework
Fill in the blanks.
1. Nei5 ____ m4 _____ jyu2sau1 sang1mat6hok6 a3?
2. Nei5 nung4lik6san1nin4_____ bin1dou6 sik6faan6_____? (nung4lik6san1nin4: Chinese New Year)
3. sin1saang1____ m4 _____ dou6a3?
4. Betsy m4 jung1 yi3 baai3 nin4 _____? (baai3 nin4: visit relatives and friends during New Year)
5. Yat1 _______ gau2
6. Yat1 __________ pang4 you5
7. Saam1 _______ building
8.Nei4 ________ Lo4 Saang2 lei4 ga3?
II. Use the following words to make sentences.
1. (yat1chai4, bat1yu4, nin4cho1yat1, fong3yin1fa1)
2. (ho2-m4-ho2-yi5, leng3jai2, sek3)
3. (m4 ming4, maan6 di1, ma4faan4)

III. Translate the following sentences to Cantonese using Yale Romanization.

1. May I ask, what is your name?
2. This restaurant is extremely expensive.
3. Is he handsome/ Is she beautiful? (use A-not A patterns)
4. Lets go to get some red pockets during the New Year.
5. I am not a teacher. I am a third year student.
6. What year are you and what are you majoring in?
7. Do you want to eat?
8. My sister and I are students.
9. My surname is ______, my name is ______, and I am from _______.
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UC Berkeley

IV. Translate the following conversation.

John: Wai3 David! Ni1 paai4 dim2 a3?
David: gei2 hou2 a3. Ni1 go3 hai6-m4-hai6 nei5 go3 pang4 you5 a3?
John: hai6 a3. keui5 giu3 Amy.
David: nei5 hou2 Amy, ngo5 giu3 David.
Amy: nei5 hou2.
John (to David): Amy hai2 Lo4 Saang2 lei4 ga3.
David (to Amy): o5, nei5 hai2 bin1 dou6 duk6 ga3?
Amy: ngo5 hai2 Paak3 Hak1 Loi4 duk6 sang1 mat6 hok6.
David (to Amy): nei5 jyu6 hai2 bin1 dou6 a3?
Amy: ngo5 yi4 ga1 jyu6 Unit Two.
David (whisper to John): keui5 hou2 leng3 neui2 a3
John (whisper to David): ngo5 jung1 yi3-jo2 keui5 hou2 noi6 la3.
David (to Amy): bat1 yu4 ngo5 dei6 leung5 go3 heui3 sik6 faan6 tung4
maai4 tai2 hei3 lo3?
Amy: hou2 a3.
David + Amy: baai1 baai3 John.
V. Vocab.
English
To major in
This year

Cantonese
Bat1 yu4
Yi4 ga1
Hai2
Hai6

Therefore, so
Yeung5
Dou1
To have, to exist
Mou5
Few, several
How many?
Gwai3 sing3
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Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Daan6 hai6
And
Ching2 man6
What?
fo1

VII. Describe the usage of the following

1. a4
2.

hai6 vs. hai2

VIII. Convert these sentences into questions.

1. Keui5 hai6 ngo5 go3 pang4 yau5.
2.

Nei5 hai2 paak1 man2 jyu6.

3.

Nei5 sing3 Chan4.

4.

Ngo5 ho2 yi3 sik6 faan6.

IX. Convert these sentences into negatives

1. Ngo5 yau5 yat1 go3 ga1 je1.
2.

Ngo5 hai4 yat1 go3 hok6 saang1.

3.

Ngo5 hai2 Saam1 Faan4 Si5 lei4 ga3.

4.

Cathy hai2 dou6 a3.

Facilitators: Mel Lo & Jeannie Fong

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Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Holidays and Festivals

Holidays (US)
Holiday
New Year
Valentines Day
Presidents Day
Martin Luther King Day
Saint Patricks Day
Easter
Mothers Day
Memorial Day
Fathers Day
Independence Day
National Day (US:July4)
Labor Day
Columbus Day
Halloween
Veterans Day
Thanksgiving Day
Christmas Day

Cantonese Name
san1 nin4
ching4 yan4 jit3
jung2 tung2 yat6
ma5 ding1 lou6 dak1 gam1 yat6
sing3 ba1 dak1 lei5 hak1 jit3
fuk6 wut6 jit3
mou5 chan1 jit3
chan4 mong4 jeung1 si6 gei3 nim6 yat6
fu6 chan1 jit3
duk6 laap6 gei3 nim6 yat6
gwok3 hing3 yat6
nou4 gung1 jit3/yat6 (day/holiday)
go3 leun4 bou2 yat6
maan6 sing3 jit3
teui3 ng5 gwan1 yan4 jit3
gam2 yan1 jit3
sing3 daan3 jit3

Holidays and Festivals (Lunar Calendar)

Holiday
Chinese New Years Eve
Lunar New Years
Lantern Festival
Tomb Sweeping Day
Dragon Boat Festival
Spirit Festival
Mid-Autumn Festival
Chung Yeung Festival

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Cantonese Name
cheui4 jik6
nung4 lik6 san1 nin4
yun4 siu1 jit3
ching1 ming4 jit3
dyun1 ng5 jit3
jung1 yun4 jit3
jung1 chau1 jit3
chung4 yeung4 jit3

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Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Chinese New Year

English Characters
Yale Romanization
Lunar (Chinese) New Year
nung4lik6san1nin4
New Years Eve
cheui4jik6
Celebrate the New Year
gwo3nin4
First day of New Year
nin4cho1yat1
Second day of New Year
nin4cho1yi6
Third day of New Year
nin4cho1saam1
(Up to the fifteenth day because Chinese Year New is from 1/1 1/15 according to the lunar
calendar)
Last day of New Year
yun4siu1
(This is also the Chinese Valentines Day)
Activities during Chinese New Year
nin4ye6faan6/ tyun4nin4faan6
haang4 fa1si5
baai3 nin4
paai3 lei6si6

Reunion dinner (Held on New Years Eve)

Shopping at the flower market
Visit relatives and friends during New Year

Giving out red pocket

(Married Adults and elderly do)

dau6 lei6si6
siu1 paau3jeung2
fong3 yin1fa1

Getting red pocket

Play firecrackers
Play fireworks
Food
Dumpling (because it looks like Chinese gold ingots)
New Years cake
Glutinous rice dumpling
Candy

gaau2ji2
nin4gou1
tong1yun2
tong2

Decorations
Red banners (with greetings on it)
Flowers
Mandarin Orange

fai1cheun1
fa1
gam1

Chinese New Year Greetings

Congratulations and be prosperous
gung1hei2faat3choi4
Congratulations and be prosperous, please give me red pockets (usually children say this)
gung1 hei2 faat3 choi4, lei6 si6 dau6 loi4
May all your wishes come true
Good luck
May there be surpluses every year

Facilitators: Mel Lo & Jeannie Fong

ASUC Sponsored Handicap / wheelchair accessible

sam1seung2si6sing4
daai6gat1daai6lei6
nin4nin4yau5yu4

*Original written by Kelly Lau Spring 2007

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Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Valentines Day
Common Phrases
ngo5 oi3 nei5
ngo5 (hou2) jung1yi3 nei5
ngo5 jung1yi3-jo2 nei5 hou2 noi6 la3
nei5 ho2-m4-ho2 yi5 tung4 ngo5 yat1chai4 a3?
ngo5 ho2-m4-ho2 yi5 sek3 nei5 a3?
nei5 hou2 leng3jai2/neui2 a3
ngo5/nei5 dou1 hai6
ngo5 hou2 gwa3-jyu6 nei5
bat1yu4 ngo5dei6 heui3 sik6faan6 lo3
Vocabulary
i3
jung1yi3
noi6
ho2-m4-ho2 yi5
tung4
yat1chai4
paak3 to1
sek3
dou1
leng3
jai2
neui2
heui3
bat1 yu4 (ngo5dei6)

I love you
I (really) like you
Ive liked you for a long time.
Can we be together?
May I kiss you?
You are so handsome/ beautiful
Me/ you too
I (really) miss you
Lets go to have dinner
English
love/to love
like
a long time
May I ?/ Can I ?
with
(to be) together
to be in a relationship
to kiss
also
handsome/ pretty
male
female
(to) go to
Let (us)

Part of Speech
N/V
V
Adj
Expression
Conj
Adv
V
V
Adv
Adj
N
N
V
Expression

Grammar
(1) To ask a question: Can you/would you like to
Structure:
(person, usually 2nd person pronoun) ho2-m4-ho2yi5 (request)?
a3?
Example:
nei5
ho2-m4-ho2yi5 tung4 ngo5 yat1chai4
You can/cannot
with me
together
(QW)
(can you/ would you like to (be))
To answer this kind of question:
ho2yi5 can
Positive:
OR:
hou2 good/okay

Negative:

m4ho2yi5
m4hou2

cannot
no

(2) To make a suggestion: Let (us)

Structure:
bat1yu4 (ngo5dei6) heui3 (suggestion: places or things to do) lo3
Example:
bat1yu4
ngo5dei6
heui3 sik6fan6
lo3
Let
us
go
eat dinner
(particle)
To answer this kind of question:
Positive: hou2 good/okay

Facilitators: Mel Lo & Jeannie Fong

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Negative: m4hou2 no/ not okay/ dont want to

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Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Some common places and activities

haang4 gaai1
tai2hei3
hei3yun2
chaan1teng1
leui5hang4
haang4 saan1
cheung3 K
hoi2taan1
saan1deng2
tai2 sing1sing1
gung1yun2
saan3bou6
yaau4lok6cheung4
waat6syut3

shopping
watch movie
theater/ cinema
restaurant
traveling
hiking
sing karaoke
beach
the top of a hill/ mountain
watch stars
park
to have a walk
theme park
skiing

Activities
Pair up in groups of two. Make a skit of asking each other out. Try to use both of the sentence
structures you have learned in this lesson.

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Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

Comparison of Commonly Used Words

Mandarin

,
,

Cantonese
m4
mou5
mei4
mei4
chang4

m4
hou2
(mou2)
mai2

m4sai2
chin1
kei4

+
Phrase

English
negative
not-have
not yet

not yet
(emphatic)
dont
(negative
imperative)
no need to
(emphatic)

Mandarin
(+V)
(+V)
/
+V(O)
/
(+V)

(+V)

Cantonese
ho2 yi5
/ nang4
gau3
+ V(O)
V (O)
(+V) m4 ho2
yi5
(+V) m4_dak1
(V+) m4 dou2
m4 nang4
gau3 (+V)
mou2 dak1

Examples:

! nei5 ho2
yi5 jau2 la3

nei5 jau2
dak1 la3

yi4 ga1 lok6 gan2

yu5ngo5 jau2 m4
dou2
ngo5 mou5
dak1 jau2

English
allowed to
can/be capable
of
allowed to/able
to
not allow
unable to
unable to
must
not/incapable of
dont get to/not
possible for
You can leave
now.
You can leave
now
Its raining now,
Im unable to
leave.

+ Phrase
lam2
m4
tung1
/

m4 gwaai6
dak1 ji1

I think

jung6
dou1

still
still;
nevertheless

Also:

ngo5 jau2
m4 dou2

dou1 m4
cho3

jung6 hai2
uk1 kei2

Not bad

ni1, go2

this, that

/
+ Verb
/
+ Verb
//
/
+
Adjective

gam2 +Verb
gam2yeung2 +
Verb

this/that way

gam3 + Adjective

so

MW (ex:)
di1 (plural)
ge3

possessive

ding6 hai6
yik1 waak6

or (choice
question)

Examples:

it cant be
that
no wonder

Still at home

hou2
dou1,
yau6,
yik6
dou1

very
also

() yat1
di1
dit1
deu1

a bit
a tiny bit

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I dont get to
leave/No way I
can leave
Im cant leave.

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Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

()

(contd)
()

Example:

() yat1
di1
ji2
hai6
jing6
hai6
dak1
dak1
faan1
jing6
dai1
yau5
di1

yat1
di1dou1

some

UC Berkeley

waak6 je2
waak6 je2

yat1ding6,
sat6
not necessarily

mei6bit1,m4yat1ding6
and; with
() tung4 maai4

only
only

only left

theres a bit
didnt
evena
bit of

ngaam1
ngaam1
tau2
sin1
jing3
wa6
() sin1
ji3

Just (a
moment
ago)
A moment
ago

ngo5 sin1
ji3 m4
seun3

keui5
sin1 ji3 hai6
hou2 yan4

I, for one,
dont believe
it.

seng4
yat6
jau1
si4
ging1
soeng4

always;
frequently
always

not until;
(emphatic)

Hes what a
good person
is.

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or (declarative)
perhaps,
maybe
certainly, surely

,
/

yau4 (time/loc)
hai2 (locative)
hai2, heung2
heung3
/ ji1 chin4/
ji1 hau6
/ yi5

..
Ex:

seng4
mui5 or
repeat measure word
/

the entire
each

bei2 + Agent
bei2

yat1 lou6

let, by (passive)
give
occasionally
all along

V gan2

V jyu6

noi6
yau5

progressing
action
continuous/
simultaneous
action
long time
sometimes

from
at
towards, facing
before/after
In the
past/future

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UC Berkeley

Grammar Review
Lesson 2
A-not-A question
1) nei5 jung1 m4 jung1 yi3 tai2 din6si6 a3?
Do you like to watch TV?
2) nei5 hai6 m6 hai6 hok6saang1 a3?
Are you a student?
Preposition hai2 at/from
1) ngo5 hai2 uk1kei2 jou6 gung1fo3.
I do homework at home
He is from Guangdong.
2) keui5 hai2 Gwong2Dung1 lei4 ge3
3) nei5 jyu6 hai2 bin1dou6 a3?/nei hai2 bin1dou6 jyu6 a3?
Where do you live?
Lesson 3:
Comparative A adj. gwo3 B [degree]
1) keui5 lek1 gwo3 ngo5 (hou2 do1).
He is (a lot) smarter than me.
2) ngo5 daai6 (gwo3) ngo5 sai3lou2 saam3 nin4 I am 3 years older than my brother.
seui1yin4daan6hai6/bat1gwo3 Although, but
1) seui1yin4 keui5 hai6 hok6saang1, daan6hai6 keui5 seng4yat6 dou1 m4 seung4tong3.
Although he is a student, he always does not go to class.
2) seui1yin4 ngo5 hai2 Heung1Gong2 lei4, daan4hai6 ngo5 m4 sik1 gong2 Gwong2Dung1Wa2
Although Im from Hong Kong, I dont speak Cantonese.
yan1wai6so2yi5 Because, therefore...
1) yan1wai6 keui6 m4 jung1yi3 cheung3go1, so2yi3 keui5 m4 heui3 cheung3 K.
Because he does not like to sing, therefore he is not going to sing karaoke.
2) yan1wai6 ngo5 hai6 Jung1Gwok3Yan2, so2yi5 ngo5 yiu3 hok6 Jung1Man4.
Because I am Chinese, therefore I have to learn Chinese.
ni3 (this) vs. go2 (that)
1) ni1 bun2 syu2 m4 hou2 tai2
2) go2 go3 yan2 hai6 bin1go3 a3?

This book isnt good.

Who is that person?

tung4(maai4) and/with
1) nei5 tung4maai4 ngo5 heui5 leui5hang4, hou2m4hou2?
You travel with me, does that sound good?
2) ngo5 yau5 ng5 bou3 din6nou5 tung4maai4 saam3 bou3 din6si6
I have five computers and three televisions.
Lesson 4:
Emphatic hai6(ge3/ga3/a3)
1) ngo5 hai6 m4 jung1yi3 tiu3mou5 a3
I (really) dont like to dance.
2) ni1 bun2 syu1 hai6 fei1seung4ji1 hou2tai2 ga3 This book (really) is excellent.
ji1chin4/ji1hau6 Before.../After
1) ngo seung5tong4 ji1chin4 yau5 yam2-jo2 yat1 bui1 ga3fe1
Before class, I drank a cup of coffee.
2) nei5 bat1yip6 ji1hau6 jou6 di1 mat1ye5 ne1?
After you graduate, what are you doing?
Completed Action jo2
1) ngo5 dew6-jo2 ngo5 di1 gung1fo3
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I threw away my homework

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Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

2) ngo5 duk6-jo2 leung5 nin4 Jung1Man4

UC Berkeley

I studied two years of Chinese

seung2 V (to want to V) vs. yiu3 V (to need to V)

1) ngo5 yi4ga1 seung2 sik6faan6!
I want to eat now!
He has to go to class now.
2) keui5 yi4ga1 yiu3 heui3 seung5tong4
sin1ji6
not until(or emphasizing a contrast)
1) keui5 ting1yat6 sin1ji3 faan1 uk1kei2
Hes not going home until tomorrow.
2) ngo5 sin1ji3 hai6 hou2 hok6saang1
Now, I am (what you call) a good student.
gam3 Adj. (so, that) vs. gam2[yeung2] Verb (like this/that way )
1) ni1ga6 che1 gam3 gwai3 ga3!
This car is so expensive!
2) nei5 gam2[yeung2] jou6 hai3 cho3 ge3! The way youre doing it is wrong!
yu4 gwo2(ge3wa2), jau6.
If,then
1) yu4gwo2 ngo5 yau5 si4gaan3 ge3wa2, ngo5 jau6 lei4 la1!
If I have time, I will come.
2) yu4gwo2 nei2 seung2 heui3 Jung1Gwok3, nei5 jau6 yiu3 hok6 Jung1Man4.
If you go to China, then you need to learn Chinese.
Possessives:
Possessor + (ni1/go2) + Measure Word + Possessed Thing
1) ngo3 bun2 syu1
My book
ngo5 ni1 bun2 syu1 This book of mine.
Possessor + ge3 + Possessed (formal/abstract contexts generally)
1) Mei5Gwok3 ge3 ging1jai3
Americas economy.
Lesson 5:
(yau5)/mou5 V
did not V (yau5 only for emphasis)
1) ngo5 mou5 sik6faan6
I did not eat.
He did not go to class.
2) keui5 mou5 seung5tong4
Experience gwo3
to have the experience of
1) ngo5 heui3-gwo3 hou2 do1 dei6fong1.
2) nei5 tai2-gwo3 ni1 tou3 hei3 mei6 a3?

Ive been to many places.

Have you watched this movie before.

dou1 or yau6 (also)

Generally yau6 for two different predicates, yau6/dou1 for two different subjects
1) ngo5 hai6 hok6saang1. keui yau6/dou1 hai6 hok6saang1
Im a student, hes also a student
2) ngo5 jung1yi3 tai2syu1, ngo5 yau6 jung1yi3 teng1 yam1ngok6
I like to read books, I also like to listen to music.
Progressive gan2 V-ing
1) hou2 do1 yan4 hok6-gan2 Gwok3Yu5
2) ngo2 yi4ga1 jou6-gan2 gung1fo3

Many people are learning Mandarin

Im doing homework now.

V ha5
dofor a bit/for a while/some
1) keui5 dak1haan4 jung1yi3 tai2-ha5 din6si6
I like to watch some TV when Im free
2) ngo5dei6 ting1yat6 heui3 cheung3-ha5 K, hou2m4hou2?
Well go sing some karaoke tomorrow, how about that?
Resultative Complements
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Beginning Cantonese Decal Spring 2008

UC Berkeley

V saai3
all; completely V-ed
1) ngo5 sik6-saai3 di1 tong2 la3!
I ate all the candy.
2) ngo5 tai2-saai3 di1 syu1 la3!
Ive read all the books.
V yun4
finished V
1) ngo5 gam1yat6 seung5-yun4 tong4 la3!
2) nei2 gei2si4 duk6-yun4 syu1 a3?

Ive finish class today.

When will you finish school?

gok3dak1 (think that)

1) ngo5 gok3dak1 ni1bun2 syu m4 hou2 tai2.

I think this book isnt good

Forming adjectives with hou2+ V

1) hou2waan2 fun
hou2teng1 good(to listen to)
hou2sik6 good, delicious (to eat)
hou2yam2 good, delicious (to drink)
hou2tai2 good to read/watch, interesting
Negatives
m4 not, do not
mou5 + N not have; +V did not
mei6 have not (yet)
1) ngo5 m4 hai6 sin1saang1
I am not a teacher
He does not like me.
2) keui5 m4 jung1yi3 ngo5
3) ngo5 uk1kei2 mou5 din6nou5
There are no computers in my house.
4) ngo5 mou5 da2 keui5 a3!
I did not hit him
5) ngo5 mei6 sik6 faan6
I havent eaten yet.
6) ngo5 mei6 heui3-gwo3 go2dou6 I havent been there before.
Question Structures with Negatives
V-jo2 (Object) mei6
V-gwo3 (Object) mei6

Have you V-ed yet

Have you V-ed before/had to experience of V

V-m4-V
yau5mou5 + N
yau5mou5 + V (Object)

Is there N/Do you have N?

Did you V?

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62