Free Cantonese Chinese Lessons
Main Menu | Mandarin Lessons | Chinese Tutoring | Discussion Forum
|
Free Cantonese Chinese LessonsMain Menu | Mandarin Lessons | Chinese Tutoring | Discussion Forum |
These Cantonese Chinese lessons have been designed
to provide practical travel vocabulary and a foundation for basic conversational
skills through a simple listen and repeat format. Don't be frustrated
if you find the phrases difficult to say at first -- this is to be expected
when starting on a new language. Practice as often as possible, and you'll
soon notice your ability to recognize and produce the sounds of Cantonese
developing naturally with repeated exposure. You may also download
a complete audio transcript for listening in your car. |
| English: | To know how (to do something) | |
| Chinese: | sik |
| English: | To not know how | |
| Chinese: | hm sik | |
| Literally: | not know how |
| English: | I know how | |
| Chinese: | ngoh sik | |
| Literally: | (same) |
| English: | You don't know how | |
| Chinese: | nay hm sik | |
| Literally: | you not know how |
| English: | To listen / to understand | |
| Chinese: | tayng |
| English: | English (language) | |
| Chinese: | yeeng mun |
| English: | Cantonese language | |
| Chinese: | gwahng-dohng wah | |
| Literally: | Guongdong speech |
| English: | I understand Cantonese | |
| Chinese: | ngoh sik tayng gwahng-dohng wah | |
| Literally: | I know how to listen Guongdong speech +? |
| English: | Can you understand? | |
| Chinese: | nay sik-hm-sik tayng ah | |
| Literally: | you know-not-know how to listen +? |
| English: | Can you understand English? | |
| Chinese: | nay sik-hm-sik tayng yeeng mun ah | |
| Literally: | you know-not-know how to listen English +? |
| English: | Yes (affirmative response) | |
| Chinese: | sik tayng | |
| Literally: | know how to listen |
| English: | No | |
| Chinese: | hm sik tayng | |
| Literally: | not know how to listen |
| In Cantonese, tones are very important, as different tones can give the same word different meanings. Initially, as long as you can approximate the tones, then overall meaning of your statements will usually be understood by context. But be aware of and try to imitate the intonation of the recordings as best you can. This will become easier as you become familiar with the sounds of the language. |
| English: | To speak | |
| Chinese: | gahng |
| English: | I know how to speak English | |
| Chinese: | ngoh sik gahng yeeng mun | |
| Literally: | (same) |
| English: | Do you know how to speak English? | |
| Chinese: | nay sik-hm-sik gahng yeeng mun ah | |
| Literally: | you know-not-know how to speak English +? |
| English: | Yes | |
| Chinese: | sik gahng | |
| Literally: | know how to speak |
| English: | No | |
| Chinese: | hm sik gahng | |
| Literally: | not know how to speak |
| English: | No, I don't know how to speak English | |
| Chinese: | hm sik gahng, ngoh hm sik gahng yeeng mun | |
| Literally: | not know how, not know how to speak English |