Reference
Common Phrases
Ready-to-use phrases organized by situation. Bookmark this page for quick reference when you need them.
🍽️
At a Restaurant
唔該，有冇位？
m4 goi1, jau5 mou5 wai2?
Excuse me, do you have a table?
Use at the entrance of a restaurant
我要呢個
ngo5 jiu3 ni1 go3
I want this one
Point at the menu while saying this
唔該，埋單
m4 goi1, maai4 daan1
Check please
The most important restaurant phrase!
好好食！
hou2 hou2 sik6!
It's delicious!
Compliment the chef
唔辣
m4 laat6
Not spicy
Request when ordering
要辣
jiu3 laat6
Make it spicy
If you like heat
唔該，要杯水
m4 goi1, jiu3 bui1 seoi2
A glass of water please
飲乜嘢？
jam2 mat1 je5?
What would you like to drink?
幾多錢？
gei2 do1 cin2?
How much does it cost?
食飽喇
sik6 baau2 laa3
I'm full
Polite way to decline more food
🛍️
Shopping
幾多錢？
gei2 do1 cin2?
How much?
The essential shopping phrase
太貴喇！
taai3 gwai3 laa3!
Too expensive!
Useful for bargaining in markets
平啲得唔得？
peng4 di1 dak1 m4 dak1?
Can you make it cheaper?
Polite way to bargain
我睇吓先
ngo5 tai2 haa5 sin1
I'm just looking
When shopkeepers approach you
有冇細啲嘅？
jau5 mou5 sai3 di1 ge3?
Do you have a smaller one?
有冇大啲嘅？
jau5 mou5 daai6 di1 ge3?
Do you have a bigger one?
可以試吓嗎？
ho2 ji5 si3 haa5 maa3?
Can I try it on?
我要呢個
ngo5 jiu3 ni1 go3
I'll take this one
🚕
In a Taxi
唔該，去呢度
m4 goi1, heoi3 ni1 dou6
Please go here
Show the address on your phone
唔該，去機場
m4 goi1, heoi3 gei1 coeng4
To the airport please
喺呢度落車
hai2 ni1 dou6 lok6 ce1
Drop me off here
前面落
cin4 min6 lok6
Drop me at the front
轉左
zyun3 zo2
Turn left
轉右
zyun3 jau6
Turn right
直行
zik6 haang4
Go straight
快啲得唔得？
faai3 di1 dak1 m4 dak1?
Can you go faster?
慢啲
maan6 di1
Slow down
🆘
Emergencies
救命！
gau3 meng6!
Help!
For serious emergencies
報警！
bou3 ging2!
Call the police!
叫救護車！
giu3 gau3 wu6 ce1!
Call an ambulance!
我唔舒服
ngo5 m4 syu1 fuk6
I don't feel well
醫院喺邊度？
ji1 jyun2 hai2 bin1 dou6?
Where is the hospital?
我唔識講廣東話
ngo5 m4 sik1 gong2 gwong2 dung1 waa2
I can't speak Cantonese
Ironically useful!
你識唔識講英文？
nei5 sik1 m4 sik1 gong2 jing1 man2?
Do you speak English?
我迷路咗
ngo5 mai4 lou6 zo2
I'm lost
💬
Daily Conversation
你叫咩名？
nei5 giu3 me1 meng2?
What is your name?
我叫...
ngo5 giu3...
My name is...
你係邊度人？
nei5 hai6 bin1 dou6 jan4?
Where are you from?
我係美國人
ngo5 hai6 mei5 gwok3 jan4
I am American
我係英國人
ngo5 hai6 jing1 gwok3 jan4
I am British
我學緊廣東話
ngo5 hok6 gan2 gwong2 dung1 waa2
I'm learning Cantonese
People love hearing this!
得唔得？
dak1 m4 dak1?
Is that okay?
冇問題
mou5 man6 tai4
No problem
係
hai6
Yes
Literally means "is"
唔係
m4 hai6
No
Literally "is not"
Pro Tip
Save the phrases you use most to your phone's notes app. In Hong Kong, showing the Chinese characters on your screen is often the fastest way to communicate if your pronunciation isn't confident yet.