ELIZABETH LATIMORE BOYLE
with the assistance of
PAULINE NG DELBRIDGE and others
FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE
WASHINGTON, D.C.
1970
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
FOREIGN SERVICE INSTITUTE
BASIC COURSE SERIES
Edited by
AUGUSTUS A. KOSKI
For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
Washington, D.C. 20402 - Price $3.60
PREFACE
Cantonese is the principal language of Kwangtung province in Southeast China,
parts of neighboring Kwangsi province, and Hong Kong and Macau on China's south-
east periphery. In addition Cantonese is spoken by ethnic Chinese in Vietnam, Cam-
bodia, Laos, Singapore and Malaysia, with the number of speakers in Southeast Asia
being between 45 and 50 million altogether. Americans of Chinese descent in the
U.S. are almost entirely of Cantonese origin.
Among the many dialects of Cantonese, the prestige variety spoken in Canton
is standard, by definition, and is imitated over a wide area which includes Hong
Kong. It is this dialect which is represented in the two-volume FSI Cantonese Basic
Course and the related tape recordings.
The course, intended to provide a syllabus for an intensive course of about 400
classroom hours in spoken Cantonese, was prepared by Elizabeth Latimore Boyle
with special assistance from Pauline Ng Delbridge. The direct costs were borne by
the U.St Office of Education. The Foreign Service Institute sponsored the project
and underwrote the indirect costs.
The project profited considerably from the help of Cheong Kwong-yu of the Na-
tional Taiwan University, who was one of the teachers in the earliest try-out of the
course and who subsequently served as advisor on pronunciation and usage. Of addi-
tional help were the suggestions of Mr. Lung Sing, Cantonese instructor in the Ameri-
can Consulate General in Hong Kong, and the critiques of experienced instructors
under Mr. Liu Ming in Hong Kong. Liu Ming, who is director of the Chinese Language
Center at New Asia College, also assisted in assembling a staff to voice the text.
Professor John McCoy of Cornell read the manuscript in an early version and
made helpful suggestions. Professor James E. Dew of the University of Michigan
commented on the first five lessons and contributed two sections of pronunciation
drills.
Miss Telia Thweatt had a unique sequence of service in the project, participa-
ting first as a student in the try-out of the course in Taipei, then as typist and general
assistant for the present version. Mrs. Lily Lu prepared most of the final typescript.
Linda Birkner of the FSI secretarial staff assisted in readying the camera copy for
publication.
A Cantonese-English glossary appears at the end of each volume, three columns
presenting respectively a romanization, the appropriate characters, and the gloss. A
fourth column indicates where the item first occurs in the text. The characters for
Volume I were written by Cheong Kwong-yu, and for Volume II by George Lin, Can-
tonese instructor at FSL.
The U.S. Information Agency cooperated by contributing recording studio time
and technical personnel in Hong Kong and Taipei to make the tape recordings which
accompany these volumes. N.C. Hon in Hong Kong and Y.T. Yu in Taipei were help-
ful both in their patience and in the care with which they made the recordings.
The Cantonese voices on the tapes are Pauline Delbridge, Chik Hon-man, Chow
Wai-ming and Lung Yue-ching for the Basic Sentences and the Conversations for
Listening. For the Drills, they are Cheong Kwong-yu and Ho Suk-ching. All grew up
in Hong Kong with the exception of Miss Ho. Users of the tapes should be aware that
Miss Ho, the female voice in all Drills in the FSI recording of this text, portrays a
few deviations from the textbook standard. Particularly noticeable will be her use of
E«.J before (jjjj where {~oJ ' i s standard in Canton and Hong Kong.
James R. Frith, Dean
School of Language Studies
Foreign Service Institute
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page
INTRODUCTION vi
SYMBOLS USED IN THE TEXT : xvi
LESSON 1 1
LESSON 2 31
LESSON 3 56
LESSON U 82
LESSON 5 10U
LESSON 6 127
LESSON 7 152
LESSON 8 188
LESSON 9 200
LESSON 10 222
LESSON 11 2Ul
LESSON 12 265
LESSON 13 289
LESSON 1U 309
LESSON 15 330
APPENDIX 1: CONVERSATIONS FOR LISTENING 350
APPENDIX 2: GRAMMATICAL INDEX 366
CUMULATIVE VOCABULARY 371
v
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
INTRODUCTION
Scope of the text ;
This Cantonese Basic Course is a course in spoken Cantonese. It
uses all the basic grammatical structures of the language and a
vocabulary of approximately 950 words. The subject matter of the
course deals with daily life in Hong Kong. The course was designed
to be taught in an intensive language program of 25-30 class hours
a week. Students are expected to spend additional time outside of
class listening to tapes of the lessons. There are 30 lessons in the
course, and the rate of progress in an intensive class is expected
to be approximately 2 lessons per week, including time for review
and testing. Each lesson contains five sections: I) a Basic Con-
versation to be memorised, II) Notes, III) Pattern Drills, structural
drills of the type in which the teacher's cue is the stimulus fer the
students' response, IV) Conversations for Listening, a listening
comprehension section, and V) Say it in Cantonese, English to Cantonese
practice, much of it in conversational question-answer form, in which
students activate what they have learned in the lesson. The early
lessons in addition contain explanation and practice drills on pro-
nunciation points, and some classroom phrases for the students to
learn to respond to when used by the teacher.
Method of Instruction ;
Ideally, but perhaps not typically, instruction is by a team
consisting of a native speaking Cantonese as instructor and a native
speaking American as linguist, with the instructor teaching by voicing
the Cantonese sentences of the text for the students to imitate and
the linguist giving explanations in English when required. A good
80-90$ of class time will then be spent with the native speaking
instructor drilling the students in recitations, during which time the
language in use is entirely Cantonese. Students will read the notes
of each lesson outside of class, and questions they have on the text
will be answered in English by the linguist during periods set aside
for that purpose. Questions in English are not asked during drill
sessions with the instructor. Psychologically this establishes the
habit of using only Cantonese in classes with the instructor. Class
time is concentrated on learning the language by imitation, repetition,
vi
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
and transformation, according to spoken cues. The instructor speaks
at natural speed, and the students learn to comprehend and speak at
the same natural speed. If there is no linguist to explain students*
questions, special periods are set aside for students to ask questions
of the instructor. It is recommended that the rhythm of the drills not
be interrupted by questions in English.
Pace :
Although the course is projected as a 16 week course if studied
on an intensive program, the time plan is to be viewed as a rough
guide only. The number of students in the class, their language
learning aptitude, their amount of previous experience with related
languages, the amount of time available for outside study, the
excellence of the teacher— all these are variable factors which could
affect the pace of learning*
An earlier version of the course was tested out on a pilot class
of five students during the summer of 1967, and the proposed pace of
two lessons a week seemed about right. However the students in that
course had been selected on the basis of a roughly the same language
aptitude score on the Modern Language Aptitude Test, and they had all
previously studied Mandarin Chinese, a closely related language.
Also, the present version incorporates pronunciation practices which
the earlier version did not have, and additional Conversations for
Listening and Say It In Cantonese sections.
It is therefore suggested that the teacher rely on his own
judgment in regard to the pace of the lessons, rather than follow a
set pace rigidly. The text has been devised so that the crucial
grammatical structures are covered in the first 26 lessons. By
covering the first 26 lessons well students will gain a firm structural
control of the spoken language. We firmly feel that confident mastery
of the first 26 lessons is preferable to hesitant control of the entire
text, if a choice must be made between the two. The rule of thumb
should be that before going on to a new lesson students should be able
to recite the old lesson's Basic Conversation fluently and with
expression and should be able to do the Pattern Drills without looking
at the book and without marked hesitation.
vii
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Objectives of the course :
The objectives of the course are to teach students to speak
Standard Cantonese in the locales where Cantonese is spoken, to speak
it fluently and grammatically, with acceptable pronunciation, within
the scope of topics of daily life. The course was not designed to
lay the groundwork for learning the written language. At the end
of the course students will be able to buy things; talk on the
telephone; ask and give directions; handle money; discuss events past,
present, and future; make comparisons; talk about themselves and their
families; tell time; order simple meals; talk with the landlord,
doctor, servant, bellboy, cabdriver, waiter, sales-clerk; discuss
what, when, where, why, who, how, how much. They will not be able
to discuss politics or their jobs or other topics of a specialized
nature.
Reliability of the material :
All the conversations and drills in this book were written by
native Cantonese speakers working under the direction of an American
linguist who specified which grammatical points to cover and what
situations were required. The design of the text — what to cover,
what sequence to use in introducing new material, what limits to set
on vocabulary—, the write-ups of structure notes, types and layouts
of pattern drills, and the contents of the English-to-Chinese
translation sections, were done by the American linguist.
What we have done to handle the problem of limited structures and
vocabulary is to plan the lessons so that certain topics and forms
don't come up until rather late in the course. The words 'yesterday,'
'today,' and 'tomorrow,' for example, don't occur until Lesson 16.
Meanwhile the student has built up the grammatical structure and
vocabulary to talk fluently on some subjects which don't involve
these expressions and the complexities of verb structures that are
involved with time-related sentences. For this reason the present
text is not appropriate for use of students whose needs are for just
a few phrases of Cantonese— it takes too long from that point of view
to get to some of the phrases which a tourist, for example, wants to
use right away. But the student who can study hard on an intensive
program for *» months and cover at least 26 of the 30 lessons, will
viii
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
then speak natural -sounding and grammatical Cantonese, and will be able
to cope with most daily life situations in the language.
Procedure :
Basic Conversation , Each lesson begins with a Basic Conversation
covering a daily life situation, organised around one or more gramma-
tical points. The conversation is presented first in build-up form,
then in recapitulation .
The buildup is partly a device to isolate new words and phrases
for pronunciation and identification, partly a device to enable
students to gain smooth delivery and natural sentence rhythm by
starting with a small segment of a sentence then progressively adding
to it to build a full sentence.
The recommended procedure for the buildup is as follows: Students
open their books to the new lesson and look at the English equivalents
as the teacher voices the Cantonese. The teacher voices the first
item six times — three times for the students to listen only, three
times for them to repeat after the teacher. (The teacher may voice
the items more times, but it is recommeaded that he not do less.)
The teacher then moves on to the next item and repeats the same pro-
cedure. When the entire buildup has been performed this way, the
students close their books, and the teacher leads them through the
buildup again giving each item one time, the students this time
watching the teacher and imitating his behavior both vocal and
kinetic — his lip movements, facial expressions, and body gestures.
If the students have particular trouble with a portion of the buildup,
the teacher may give it a few more repetitions than the rest, but if
the difficulty persists, he drops it for the time being and marks
it to return to later. Repetitions under pressure are quite tension-
producing, and it works better to return to a difficult passage in a
more relaxed mood.
In the recapitulation section the conversation is repeated in
full sentence form. The teacher voices each sentence at least two
times, with pauses after each sentence for students to repeat. The
first goal is for the students to be able to say the conversation
after the teacher at natural speed and with natural sentence rhythm.
ix
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Details of pronunciation are spotlighted in another section— the first
goal for the conversation is sentence rhythm and natural speed.
The second goal is for the students to memorise the Basic Con-
versation, so they can say it independently without the teacher's
model to follow, maintaining natural speed and rhythm. Students will
find the tape recorder a valuable aid to memorizing. The tape recorder
is tireless in furnishing a model for students to imitate, and enables
them to procede at the pace best suited to their needs.
The purpose of memorizing the Basic Conversations is twofold.
Memorizing situational material gives students tip-of-the-tongue
command of useable Cantonese. Secondly, since the basic conversations
are organized on grammatical principles, students by memoriziag the
conversations will be learning the grammatical framework of the
language, on which they can construct other sentences.
The second day on the lesson, when students have memorized the
conversation, it is recommended that the teacher have them act out the
conversational roles. Later, after moving on to a new lesson, the
teacher has them act out the Basic Conversation of an earlier lesson
as a form of review.
Pronunciation Practice ;
In general, the Pronunciation Practices concentrate on giving
limited explanation and fuller practice drills on new sounds en-
countered in a lesson, plus comparison drills with sounds previously
learned and sometimes comparisons with American close counterparts.
Instead of giving many examples, using items unknown to the students
the pronunciation drills stick to examples from material they have
met in the Basic Conversation or Pattern Drills. The exception to
this is Lesson One, which presents am overview of all the tones,
consonant initials, and vocalic finals of the language, in addition
to giving an introduction to intonation and stress. Students who
absorb pronunciation best thouugh mimicking the model and who find
the linguistic description of sounds confusing or boring or both,
should concentrate on mimicking the model and skimp or skip the
explanations.
x
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Notes:
There are two kinds of Notes — Structure (grammar) Notes and
Culture Notes. These are to be read outside of class.
The structure notes summarize the structures used in the Basic
Conversations and practiced in the Pattern Drills, and are for those
students who want a general explanation of how the language works.
The students who absorb language structures better through learning
model sentences and drilling variations of the model can concentrate
on the Basic Conversations and Pattern Drills, and skimp on the
Structure Notes.
The Culture Notes comment on some Cantonese life patterns which
differ from our own.
Pattern Drills ;
There are six kinds of Pattern Drills in Cantonese Basic Course .
The purpose of the drills is to make the vocabulary and sentence
structures sink in and become speech habits, so that the student
understands spoken Cantonese without having to translate mentally
and speaks fluently and grammatically at natural speed without awkward
hesitation and groping for words.
The Pattern Drills give students practice in structures and words
which have been introduced in the Basic Conversations. In addition,
there are other vocabulary items which appear first in the drill
sections. A plus sign marks each occurrence of a new word in this
section, and the English equivalent is given.
Each drill begins with an example giving a model of the teacher's
cue and the students' response. Then there follow 8 to 10 problems to
be done on this pattern. The teacher gives the cue, and the student
responds to the new cue following the pattern set in the example.
The response is thus predictable, controlled by the pattern and the
cue. In the book the cues are given in the left hand column and the
responses on the right, with the example above.
Students will find that going over the drills in a session with
the tape reoorder before performing them in class with the teacher
aids their grasp of the material and smooths their delivery. In
class students look at their books to check the example for each drill.
xi
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
to learn what their task is. Then they perform the drill with books
closed, relying on the pattern of the example sentence and the cues
provided to know what to say. A drill is mastered when the student
can respond to the cues promptly, smoothly, and without reference to
the book.
The types of drills follow:
1. Substitution Drills .
The teacher voicoc a pattern sentence, then voices a word or
phrase (called a cue ) to be substituted in the original sentence. The
student notes the substitution cue and substitutes it in the appropriate
place to make a new sentence.
Example: T (for teacher): Good morning, Mrs. Brown. /Jones/
S (for Student): Good morning, Mrs. Jones.
2. Expansion Drills .
There are two kinds of expansion drills. One could be called a
listen-and-add drill, using vocabulary and structures familiar to the
students. The teaober says a word or phrase and the students repeat
it. Then the teacher voices another word or phrase and the students
add that word to the original utterance, expanding it. The teacher
adds another cue, and the students incorporate it, and so on, making
each time a progressively longer utterance.
T:
Hat
S:
Hat
T:
Blue
S:
Blue hat
T:
Two
S:
Two blue hats.
T:
Buy
S:
Buy two blue hats.
This type of expansion drill is handled a little differently if
it includes new vocabulary. In that case it is performed as a liaten-
and-repeat drill, the students echoing the teacher.
Example: T: Hat
S: Hat
T: Blue hat
xii
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
S: Blue hat
T: Two blue hats
S: Two blue hats
In the second type of expansion drill the example sentence gives
the model to follow and the students expand the subsequent cue sen-
tences according to the pattern set by the example.
Example: T: I'm not Mrs. Lee. /Chan/
S: I'm not Mrs. Lee — my name ia Chan.
3. Response Drills .
The response drills involve 1) question stimulus and answer
response, or 2) statement stimulus and statement response, or 3)
statement stimulus and question response.
Ex. 1: T: Is your name Chan? Aee/
S: No, it's Lee.
Ex. 2: T: He speaks Cantonese. /Mandarin/
S: He speaks Mandarin too.
Ex. 3: T: He speak Cantonese. /Mandarin/
S: Does he speak Mandarin too?
If. Transformation Drills .
In transformation drills the students transform the grammatical
form of the cue sentences from positive to negative to question,
according to the pattern set in the example. A positive to negative
transformation would be:
Ex: T: Her name is Lee.
S: Her name isn't Lee.
5. Combining Drills .
In combining drills the students make one long sentence from two
short cue sentences, according to the pattern set in the example.
Ex: T: It's nine o'clock.
We study Chinese.
S: We study Chinese at nine o'clock.
6. Conversation Drills .
In conversation drills students carry on a conversation following
the pattern set by the example. The book or the teacher furnishes
cues to vary the content while retaining the structure.
xiii
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Ex: A: Good morning, Mrs. Lee.
B: Excuse ae, I'm not Mrs. Lee. My name is Chan.
A: Oh, excuse ae. Miss Chan.
B: That's all right.
A .Miss Smith. A. Good morning. Miss Smith.
B. .. Brown. B. Excuse me, I'm not Miss
Smith, My name is Brown.
A A: Oh, excuse me, Miss Brown.
B B: That's all right.
Conversations for Listening .
The Conversations for Listening , recorded on tapes, give the
students a chance to listen to further conversations using the vocabul-
ary and sentence patterns of the lesson under study. These can he
listened to outside of class and replayed in class, with the teacher
then asking questions (in Cantonese of course) on the selections and
the students answering. Usually several replays are needed before
the students' comprehension of the conversation is complete. After
they understand a conversation in its entirety, it is recommended that
they play it through two or three more times, listening especially for
the expressive elements of intonation and final particles, as these
occur primarily in conversation and not as natural features of pattern
sentences which the students practice -in the drill sections.
After Lesson 10, there will be new vocabulary in the Conversations
for Listening, to help the story along. These words and phrases are
glossed in Cantonese and English at the foot of each conversation in
the printed text, but students will not be held responsible for
learning them.
Say It in Cantonese .
The Say It in Cantonese section gives situations and sentences in
English, and students are to give Cantonese equivalents. This section
is to be performed in class for the linguist or the teacher, though
the students may prepare it beforehand if they like. Students should
recognize that there is often more than one acceptable way to 'say
it in Cantonese. '
Vocabulary Checklist .
At the end of each lesson is a vocabulary checklist, giving the new
xiv
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
vocabulary for that lesson, the part of speech for each entry (noun, verb,
etc.), and the English translation.
Suggestions for Further Practice .
The Say it in Cantonese section is the final working section of each
lesson. After doing that section the teacher is encouraged to allow time
for the students to carry on conversation practice using the material in the
lesson. The teacher should be referee for this part, and make sure all
students get a chance to participate. Some students are by nature more
talkative than others, and the teacher must see to it, by asking a few
questions of the more retiring students, that participation in free conversa-
tion is fairly evenly distributed and that the naturally talkative students
don't do all the talking.
Repeating the dialogue of the Basic Conversations of earlier lessons is
a good way to keep those vocabularies and sentences fresh in the students'
minds. Also, selections from earlier dialogues can often be used during free
conversation practice of the lesson under study.
System of Romanization Used .
The system of romanization used in the text is a modification of the
Huang-Kok Yale romanization. It is described in detail in Lesson 1. In com-
paring Cantonese and Mandarin sentence structures the system of romanization
used for the Mandarin is Yale romanization.
xv
CANTONESE
BASIC
COURSE
SYMBOLS USED IN THIS TEXT
adj
adjective
QV
quod vide (Latin for 'which see")
act j • s •
adjective suffix
QW
question word
aav
adverb
S
subject
Aux V
auxiliary verb
sp
specifier
01
boundform, boundword
SPr
sentence prefix
Cj
conjunction
SP
subject-predicate sentence
/"■•Of
co-verb
SVO
subject-verb-object sentence
ex
exclamation; example
ss
sentence suffix
lit*
literally
sen.suf. sentence suffix
m , M
Measure
sur
surname
MA
moveable adverb
t
title
n N
noun
TA
term of address
Mr.
NP
noun phrase
TW
timeword
nu
number
v,V
verb
predicate
VO
verb-object construction
rrtav
paired adverb
VP
verb phrase
DP -i
paired conjunction
Vsuf
/erb suffix
F n
phrase
var
variant
PhF
phrase frame
(-)
= doesn't occur
PW
pro
placeword
preposition
pronoun
[ ]
■ 1. re pronunciation » phonetic
transcription.
2. in cumulative vocabulary
list, following noun
entries =• M for the N
3. within the text of English
gloss si literal trans-
lation of the Cantonese
term.
xv i
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 1
CLASSROOM PHRASES
The instructor will address you in Cantonese from the first day of
class. The following are some instructions which you should learn to
respond to. Look at your books while the instructor reads the phrases
the first time. Then close your books, and the teacher will give the
phrases several more times, using gestures to help you understand. Repeat
the phrases after him, mimicking his movements as well as his voice, to
help you absorb the rhythm and meaning.
1. Yihga neihdeih tengjyuh ngSh Now you (plu.) listen while I
gong.
speak, (i.e., listen, but don't
repeat. )
2. Yihga ngoh gong, neihdeih
Now I'll speak and you repeat
after me.
ganjyuh ngoh gong.
% Kammaaih bun syu. or
Close the book, or
Kammaaih di syu.
k. Dahoi bun syu. or
Open the book, or
Close the books.
Dahoi di syu.
5. Yihga yat go yat go gong.
6. Yatchaih gong.
Open the books.
Now recite one by one.
Recite all together, (i.e., in
chorus)
7. Yihga yatchaih ganjyuh
Now all together repeat after me.
ngoh gong.
8. Joi gong yat chi.
9. fthhou tai syu.
Say it again.
Don't look at your book(s).
1
LESSON 1 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
. BASIC CONVERSATION
A. Buildup ;
(At the beginning of class
hohksaang
Hohkgaang
Hon
Saang
Hon Saang
jousahn
H&h Saang* jonsahn.
slnsaang
Slnsaang
Leih
Taai
Leih Taai
Leih Taai, jouaahn.
Hohksaang
deuimhjyuh
ngoh
haih
mh-
mhhaih
Ngoh mhhaih Leih Taai.
Deuimhjyuh, ngoh mhhaih Leih
Taai.
sing
Chahn
Ngoh aing Chahn.
Slnsaang
siuji
Chahn Siuje
A
A, deuimhjyuh, Chahn Sluje.
Hohksaang
fthganyiu.
in the morning)
student
Ho, surname
Mr.
Mr. Ho
"good morning"
Good morning, Mr. Ho.
teacher
Lee, surname
Mrs.
Mrs. Lee
Good morning, Mrs. Lee.
excuse me
I
am, is, are
not
am not, is not, are not
I'm not Mrs. Lee.
Excuse me, I'm not Mrs. Lee.
have the surname
Chan
My name is Chan.
Miss; unmarried woman
Miss Chan
Oh, Ah, a mild exclamation
Oh, excuse me, Miss Chan.
That's all right. OR It doesn't
matter.
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 1
(At the end of the day, the students are leaving class.)
Hohkaaang
Joigin. Goodbye.
Slnsaang
Joigin. Goodbye.
B. Recapitulation :
(At the beginning of class in the morning:)
Hohkaaang
Hob. Saang, jousahn. Good aorning, Mr. Ho.
Slnsaang
Leih Taai, jousahn. Good aorning, Mrs. Lee.
Hohkaaang
Deuimhjyuh, ngoh mhhaih Leih Taai. Excuse ae, I'm not Mrs. Lee.
NgSh sing Chahn. My naae is Chan.
Slnsaang
A, deuiahjyuh Chahn sluje. Oh, excuse ae. Miss Chan.
Hohkaaang
Ahganyiu. That's all right.
(At the end of the day, the students are leaving class:)
Hohkaaang
Joigin. Goodbye.
Slnsaang
Joigin. Goodbye.
♦ + + + + + + » + + + + + +
Introduction to Pronunciation:
A. Tones :
You have probably heard that Chinese languages are tone
languages, and know this means that sounds which are the same except
for rise and fall of the voice mean different things. This some-
times leads to confusion and/or merriment when a foreigner gets a
tone wrong in a phrase, and says 'lazy' when he means 'broken,'
'sugar' when he means 'soup,' 'ghost' when he means 'cupboard,'
and so on— and on and on.
3
LESSON 1
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
In Cantonese there are seven tones, that is seven variations
in voice pitch having the power to combine with an otherwise
identical syllable to make seven different meanings. This is best
illustrated by examples, which your teacher will read to you:
81 />' ■.
think
(High falling tone)
history
(High rising tone)
8i
try
(Mid level tone)
si -?4
poem
(High level tone)
sih B<f
time
(Low falling tone)
slh ^
a market
(Low rising tone)
sih ^
a matter; business
(Low level tone)
Below is
a practice exercise on
the seven tones. Close your
books and concentrate on listening to the teacher or tape. Repeat
loud and clear during the pause after each syllable or group of
syllables.
(This practice section on the basic tones was prepared by Prof.
James E. Dew.)
1. si, si ; si si ; si ei ; si si ; sih sih ;
slh slh ; sih sih *
2. si si si ; si si si ; si si si si ; si si si si ;
sih sih sih ; sih sih sih .
3. si si ; si si ; sih sih ; sih slh ; si sih ;
si sih .
k. si sih ; si sih si slh ; si sih ; si si sih ;
si si sih .
5. fan fan fa n ; fan fan fa n ; fan fan fan fan ;
fihn fahn fahn ; fihn fahn fahn .
6. fan fan ; fahn fahn ; fan fan fahn ; fan fan fah n ;
fan fahn ; fan fahn ; fan fan fan fan ;
fahn fahn fahn .
7. ba ba ba ; ba ba ba ; man man mah ; mah mah mah ;
ba ba ba mah mah mah .
8. bin bin bin ; bin bin bin ; bin bin bin bin ;
mihn mihn mihn ; mihn mihn mihn .
9. bit bit miht ; bin bin bin bit bit ; mihn mihn mihn
miht • bin bin bin bit bit ; mihn mihn mihn miht .
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LE3S0N 1
10. si, fan, hi, bin ; si fan ba bin ; si, fan, ba, bin ;
si, fan, bin, bit ; sih, fahn, mah, mihn ; sin fahn,
man, mihn ; sih, fahn, mah, mihn ; si si si si,
sih sih sih ; bin bin bin bit bit, mihn mihn mihn miht .
Discussion of Tones :
There are seven tones in Standard Cantonese. Their designations,
together with examples of each tone, are:
1.
2.
3.
k.
5.
6.
7.
high level
high falling
high rising
mid level
low falling
low rising
low level
I i% fin >j?
si & fan 4£
si t fan #
si fan i"|
sih 4" fahn *£
sih if fahn
sih fahn 4fr
Tou will note that the tones have three contours — level, rising,
and falling.
There are three level tones: high level, mid level, and low
level.
ex:
hi:
ml:
11:
si
si
s
*
ft
ih if
There are two rising tones: high rising and low rising,
ex: hr: si jt^
lr: sih rf
There are two falling tones: high falling and low falling.
ex: hf: si &
If: sih
Following a chart devised by T. B. Chao, we graph the tones of
Cantonese on a scale of one to five, thus:
55P3g2B5l2353gli
high level
:55
si
aid level
:33
si -ft
5
low level
:22
sih ^
k
high rising
:35
si Jt
3
low rising
:23
sih if
2
high falling
:53
si &
low falling
:21
5
sih ^
\
LESSON 1 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
In present day Standard Cantonese as spoken in Hong Kong the
high falling tone seems to be dying out. Many people do not have a
high falling tone in their speech, and use high level tone in place
of high falling. These people then have just six tones in their
speech. In this book we mark seven tones, but your teacher may
only have six, and the tapes accompanying the text include the
speech of some speakers with only six tones. Copy what you hear.
High falling and high level tones are given in the examples below.
If you do not hear a difference, your teacher doesn't differentiate.
Ex: high-falling, high-level contrasts:
1.
saaa
three
saaa
clothing
2.
fan
divide
fan
minute
3.
Hdh Saang
Mr. Ho
W i
hohksaang
student
•f±
k.
si
think
si
poetry
Tonal Spelling :
The system of tonal spelling we will use in this book is a
modified form of the Huang-Kok Yale romanization. This system
divides the tones into two groups, an upper register group and a
lower register one. The lower register tones are marked by an h
following the vowel of the syllable. This h is silent and simply
indicates lower register. The upper register group doesn't have
the h:
Ex: Upper register tones: si ~f%!
si &
el JL
si iK
Ex: Lower register: sib. n\
sih if
sib if
The rising, falling, and level contours of the tones are
indicated by the presence or absence of diacritics over the vowel
6
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE lesson 1
of each syllable. The diacritics are: *, ~ , representing
falling, rising, and level respectively.
Ex: a falling
a rising
a level
The absence of a diacritic represents level tone.
Ex: a
Using three diacritics and the low register symbol h, we spell
the seven tones thus:
a high level
a mid level
ah low level
a high falling
ah low falling
a high rising
ah low rising
The low register symbol h follows the vowel of the syllable.
If the syllable ends with a consonant, the h still follows the
vowel, but comes before the final consonant.
Ex. sahp ten
sehng whole, entire
Traditionally Chinese recite Cantonese tones in upper register-
lower register sequence, in the order falling, rising, level, thus:
si %-
-i t
■i "ft
sih 8^
sih
sih ^
This is the way Cantonese themselves recite tones. You will
note that the high level tone is not recited traditionally. There
are historical reasons for this which we won't go into here.
In a few words the consonants m and ng occur as vowels, and
in these cases the diacritics are placed above the n of ng and the
53
5?
35
??
21
23
22
35
5
33
If
\
/
21
3
23
2
/
22
l|
\
7
LBsaaa n CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Ex: in 'not'
ngh 'five'
Tones in Sequence ;
Tone Sandhi . Changes in the basic sound of tones when syllables
are spoken in sequence is called tone sandhi. The high falling tone
in Cantonese undergoes tone sandhi in certain position, as follows:
1. When high falling tones occur in succession without inter-
vening pause, all but the final one are pronounced as high level.
Ex: hf + hf becomes hi + hf
fa $ 1. aiu jyu alujyu fa ft
roast pig roast pork
S% 2 « aeung fung seung fung ^ ?§si
hurt wind to catch cold
Xkifa 3. seung fung tint —seung fung timi 4&&<fc
hurt wind I caught cold!
2. When a high falling tone occurs before a high level tone
without intervening pause, it is pronounced as high level.
Ex: hf + hi becomes hi + hi
ft 1 ' J° u 5k J 5 ™ 3k
rent house to rent a house
•& ^2. sai chaan saichaan ■& ffy
west meal western food
In this book high falling tone has been written high level
only when the tone sandhi is within word boundaries. For separate
words, the high falling will be marked with its usual diacritic.
Ex.
Separate forms
Combined forms
St
£
4£
first born
man, teacher.
Mr.
$£
Cheung Mr.
Mr. Cheung
Tones not 'sung . '
That Cantonese is a tone language does not mean that sentences
in it are sung aa you would sing a musical phraae. Music has
sustained notes and strict rhythmic scheme, the spoken language
does not. At first you may feel that Cantonese sounds sing-song,
8
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 1
but practice will bring familiarity and soon it will sound natural
to you.
B. Intonation ;
A sentence may be said different ways, to stress different
points in the sentence and also to express what the speaker feels
about what he is saying. To give an English example, the sentence
'So glad you could come,' may be said:
Sentence: Contour:
So glad you could come.
1.
2.
3a.
So glad you could come.
So glad you could come.
3b. So glad you could come.
k. So glad you could come.
5.
Indicates :
normal polite
effusive polite
(even if your
wife couldn' t
make it) —
cordial
(even if your
wife couldn't) —
sarcastic
(after having
thought you
couldn' t) —
cordial
question
They were glad you could . .
come?
The graphs of the sentence contours above represent the rise
and fall of the voice pitch throughout the length of the sentence.
This rise and fall over sentence length we call an "intonation."
You will note that the question sentence (#5) rises in pitch
at the end, and the statement sentences (#1 - k) all end with falling
pitch, although within their contours rise and fall occurs at
different points. In English sentence-final fall is the norm, and
sentence-final rise expresses doubt.
Intonation also has another job within a sentence— it can
express how the speaker feels about what he is saying. By expressive
rise and fall of his voice, by varying his "tone of voice," the
speaker can indicate that he is angry or happy, doubtful or certain,
being polite or rude, suggesting or demanding.
9
SSSQH 1 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Cantonese sentences too exhibit intonation contours. Sentence-
final contours in particular are much more varied in Cantonese than
in English, and capable of expressing quite a range of emotional
implications.
You may wonder how intonation affects the tone situation in
Cantonese, each syllable having as it does its characteristic tone.
How the tone contours operate in the framework of sentence contour
has been compared to the action of ripples riding on top of waves.
Each ripple relates to the one before it and behind it, whether
in the trough of the wave or on the crest.
Sentence Stress :
In speaking of sentence stress we mean relative prominence of
syllables in a sentence— loud or soft (heavy or light) , rapid or
slow. Consider the stress pattern of the following English
sentences:
1. I'm John Smith. (In response to "Which one of you
is John Smith?")
2. I'm John Smith. (In response to "I was supposed
to give this letter to Tom
Smith.")
In the sentences above the stressed syllables (those underlined)
give prominence to the information requested in the stimulus
sentences.
In certain sentences stress differences alone indicate dif-
ference in message content. The pair of sentences often quoted in
illustration of this is:
1. Ship sails today. (The ship will sail today.)
2. Ship sails today. (Please ship the sails today.)
Another example, from a headline in a newspaper:
Boy Scratching Cat Is Caught, Destroyed
How do you stress that one?
Sentence Pause :
Another feature important in establishing natural sentence
rhythm is pause— the small silences between groups of syllables.
Note the following English sentences:
10
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 1
In considering him for the job he took
into account his education, previous
experience, and appraised potential.
There is a pause between "job" and "he" in the sentence above, and
if you read it instead pausing after "took," you find the sentence
doesn' t make sense— you have to go back and read it again putting a
pause in the right place.
We will not discuss Cantonese stress and pause features in this
Introduction, other than to say that Cantonese sentences, like
English ones, do exhibit stress and pause phenomena, as well as
intonational ones. What this effectively means for you as a student
is that you must not concentrate solely on learning words as
individual isolated units; but in imitating the teacher' s spoken
model, you should be alert to his delivery of phrase-length segments
and whole sentences, and should mimic the stress, pause, and in-
tonation of the phrases you repeat.
C. Consonants and Vowels
We regard the syllable in Cantonese as being composed of an
initial and a final. The initials are consonants. The finals are
vowels, or vowels plus consonants. Tones are also included as part
of the final.
The practices that follow include all the initials and finals
in Cantonese. They were prepared by James E. Dew.
Initials . Repeat after each syllable in the pause provided.
Concentrate on the initial sound of each syllable.
1.
bo
bo
, pd
po
, md
md
, to
f6
2.
do
do
, to
to
, no
no
, 16
lo
3.
Ji
J«
, cha
cha
, sa
sa
, ya
ya
<t.
ga
«»
, ka
ka
i nga
nga
, ha
ha
5.
g*i
gwa
, kwa
kwa
, wa
wa
Finals . Listen carefully and repeat in the pauses provided.
Concentrate on the finals— the vowels and vowel+consonant combinat-
ions. (Tones are not marked.)
11
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
a
e
eu
i
0
u
yu
J« ft
heu jffo
ji 1
go -fig
wu %
geijj,
geuiS/
goi^i
fui
gaau&gau#j/
giu<*f
gou-o
gaamfg. gam:
t
giBKnJ
gaan^gan
deun^:
gin]?.
gon JKf"
o 1 J
gun
Otf |*J
gaang ganf
5«ng4jt
geun£,
ging&
gong^
gung#
gaap^ gap^
gipi»
baatyvbat-ijk
cheuti
git^
got*J
ftttjffl
kyut^
baak"g h&k^z
geuk#j»
gik
gok$
<
guk^
\
The Mechanica of Producing speech aounda :
In speaking we make use of 1) air, 2) the vibration of the vocal
chords (i.e. the voice), and 3) the position of the tongue and other
members of the mouth to produce speech sounds. The air originates
in the lungs and is released through the mouth, the vocal chords
vibrate to produce voiced sounds, and the position of the tongue
and other members affect the shape of the vocal instrument and thus
the sounds it produces.
Consonants ;
1) Air:
Air flow, originating in the lungs and released through the
mouth, is required for all speech sounds, but different manner of
air release produces different sounds. The manner of release is
particularly important for consonant sounds. For consonant sounds
friction is created at some point in the oral passageway by re-
sistance to the flow of air. The point of resistance to the air
flow and the manner of release from this resistance are important
contributing factors in how consonants are made. There are several
routes through which the air may be released:
A. Nasal release : Air can be released through the nose, producing
nasal sounds. Try prolonging the English sounds m and n.
mm— , nnnnn . While you are prolonging these sounds, hold
your nose and you notice you can't say m or n. That's because
the air flow is released through the nose in saying m and n.
12
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LSSSON 1
B. Lateral release ; The air release can be over the surface of the
side of the tongue. Prolong the English sound 1. 11111 . Then
breathe in and out through your mouth without moving your tongue
from its 1 position. Can you feel that the air passes laterally
out one or both sides of your mouth? For me, the air release
for 1 is from both sides. Do you release the air to the right,
or to the left, or from both sides?
C. Stop and Release, with and without Aspiration ; Another manner
of air release is for the air flow to be blocked at some point
in the mouth and then released, letting the air flow through.
When you make the English sounds t-, k-, you notice that
the air flow is first blocked at different points, and then
released.
The stop releases can be either aspirated or unaspirated.
In reference to language sounds 'aspirated' means released with
a puff of air. Compare the English sounds j>-, t-, k-, and
b-, d-, If you put your hand close to your mouth as you
say t-, k- , you will notice that you feel your breath
against your hand. Say b-, d-, g-, and you find you do not
feel your breath against your hand, or at least not as much
so. The t-, k- sounds are aspirated, the b- , d- , £- ones
unaspirated.
Try:
p- b-
t- d-
k- g-
D. Spirant release ; When air is released through a narrow passage
under pressure, a hissing sound is produced, as in s- sssss,
and h- hhhhh. We refer to this type of air release as spirant
release.
2) Voicing ;
Voiced and Voiceless Consonants ; The vocal chords vibrate to pro-
duce some sounds — which we refer to as voiced sounds — and do
not vibrate in the production of other sounds — which are re-
fer ed to as voiceless. For example, in English the 'z' sound
is a voiced sound and the 's' sound is a voiceless one.
13
LESSON 1
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Prolong the buzzing sound of ' z* — zzzzz. You can hear the
voicing, and if you put your hand on your throat over the Adam's
apple, you can feel the vibration of the vocal chords. Prolong
the hissing sound of ' s' — sssss. Notice that voicing ceases,
the vocal chords do not vibrate. In Cantonese the only con-
sonants that are voiced are the nasals — m, n, and ng .
3) Position of tongue and other members : Different position of the
tongue and other members of the mouth forms the third element
in producing speech sounds. Note for example how the difference
in tongue position produces different sounds in the English
words 'tea 1 and 'key. 1 For • t,* the tip of tongue touches the
roof of the mouth at the gum ridge behind the upper teeth. Try
it: t- , t- , t- , tea. For 'k,' the back of the tongue touches
the roof of the mouth at the back: k- , k- , k-, key.
We will describe the consonants of Cantonese in terms of
air release, voicing, and position of tongue and other members
of the vocal aparatus. We will concentrate primarily on those
sounds which are problems for Americans.
Vowels :
Production of vowels, like production of consonants, is a
matter of air flow, voicing, and positioning.
1. Air Flow :
Whereas in making a consonant sound friction is created by
resistance at some point in the passageway to the flow of air,
in making vowels the passageway does not resist the flow of
air, and the sound produced is therefore frictionless. The
presence or absence of friction is a factor distinguishing
consonants and vowels.
2. Vibrating of vocal chords (Voicing) :
Vowels are voiced sounds. Under certain circumstances,
such as whispering, vowels may be de-voiced, but voicing for
vowels is taken as a given, and when exceptions occur, they
are specifically noted.
A feature of voicing which iB potentially significant for
vowels is vowel length. In some languages different vowel
Ik
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 1
length in an otherwise identical syllable can produce different
words.
Example: In German, the following two words differ in
pronunciation only in the length of their vowels:
staat [sta't] 'state*
statt [sta't] 'place*
3. Positioning :
In positioning for vowel sounds the important contributing
factors are how the lips and tongue are placed.
The lips, in making vowel sounds, are described in terms
of whether they are rounded or unrounded (spread). For example,
in English, the * i' of 'pit' is a 'vowel said with lips spread,
and the 'u' of 'put' is said with lips rounded. There are
vowels which are produced with lips neither markedly rounded or
spread, such as 'a' in 'father.' This type is not described
in terms of lip position. If a vowel is not described as being
rounded or spread, you can assume that the lip position is
midway between rounded and spread. We will use the terms
'unrounded' and 'spread' interchangeably.
Tongue position for vowels is described in vertical terms
and in horizontal terms. On the vertical we speak of the
tongue height of a vowel. For example, take the vowels of
•pit,' 'pet,' and 'pat' in English. You notice that the for-
ward part of the tongue is relatively high towards the roof
of the mouth in saying the 'i* of 'pit,' that it drops some-
what to say the 'e' of 'pet,' and drops still lower to say the
•a' of 'pat.' These positions might also be described in
terms of how wide the lower jaw opens in making the sounds —
narrow for the 'i,' medium for the 'e,' and wide for the 'a.'
However, since description in terms of tongue height has
become standard, we will adopt the standard description here,
and speak of vowels in terms of high, mid, and low in reference
to tongue height. Deviations from these cardinal positions are
described in terms of higher-mid, lower-mid, etc.
Horizontally, tongue position is described in terms of
front, central, and back. In English the vowels of 'pit,'
15
LESSON 1 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
'pet,' and 'pat' are all front vowels, with the points of
reference for 'front' being the blade of the tongue and the
dental ridge. 'Pit,' 'pet,' and 'pat' are high front, mid
front, and low front respectively. For the central vowels
the points of reference in the oral passageway are the center
surface of the tongue and the hard palate. In English the
vowels of 'putt' and 'pot' are central vowels. For the back
vowels the points of reference in the passageway are the back
surface of the tongue and the soft palate. In English the
vowels of 'put,' 'pole,' and 'paw' are back vowels. Deviations
are described in terms of being fronted or backed from the
cardinal positions.
Pronunciation Practice :
1. ch, as in Chahn
ch is an initial consonant in Cantonese. We describe the ch
sound in terms of voicing, air flow, and position of tongue against
the roof of the mouth. Like the American ch sound in "chance," the
Cantonese ch is voiceless. In terms of air air flow the American and
Cantonese ch' s are alike — both are stops with aspirated release. The
tongue pressing against the roof of the mouth stops the flow of air
entirely, then lets go and allows the air to flow through again,
accompanied by a puff of air. The tongue position for the American ch
and Cantonese ch differs. For the Cantonese ch sound, the tongue
rests flat against the dental ridge (the ridge just behind the upper
teeth) and the blade part of the tongue , that part just back from the
tip, blocks the air passage at the dental ridge. The blade of the
tongue is pressed flat against the ridge: [ tft] The American ch the
contact point is the tip of the tongue, not the blade of the tongue;
the tongue is grooved, not flat; and the contact point on the roof
of the mouth is a little farther back on the dental ridge than for
the Cantonese ch sound.
16
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON j
2. J, as in joigin , .jousahn . Jeung, slu.je
J is an initial consonant in Cantonese. We describe the J sound
in terms of voicing, air flow, and position of the tongue against the
roof of the mouth. Unlike the American j sound (in 'joy'), the Can-
tonese j sound is voiceless. In terms of air flow the American and
Cantonese j's are alike— both are stops with unaspirated release.
The tongue, pressing against the roof of the mouth, stops the flow of
air entirely, then lets go and allows the air to flow through again,
without aspiration (accompanying puff of air). The tongue position
for the Cantonese j is the same as that for the Cantonese ch , different
from that of the American counterpart. For the Cantonese j sound the
blade of the tongue, resting flat against the dental ridge, blocks
the air passage: [t£.] For the American j the tip of the tongue,
grooved, blocks the air passage at a point a little farther back on
the dental ridge than for the Cantonese j. When air is released, it
flows over a grooved tongue surface for the American sound, a flat
tongue surface for the Cantonese sound.
Compare English and Cantonese similar syllables:
Listen and repeat: (Read across)
English Cantonese
1. Joe (3 times) jc-u (3 times)
2. joy (3 times) joi (3 times) J}.
3. Jess (3 times) je (3 times)
The Cantonese j sound is said with lips rounded before rounded
vowels, and spread before unrounded vowels. (Bounded vowels are those
pronounced with the lips rounded, unrounded vowels those that are
not. )
Watch the teacher, listen and repeat: (read across)
Ex: rounded unrounded
1. Jou-^- (3 times) je -48.(3 times)
2. joi# (3 times) je -48.(3 times)
Some speakers of Standard Cantonese use slightly different tongue
positions for the j sound, depending on whether it comes before a
rounded or unrounded vowel. Other speakers use the tongue position
described for j above throughout. Those that use different positions
17
LESSON 1
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
before rounded and unrounded vowels use the position described above
before unrounded Towels. Before rounded vowels they retract their
tongue a bit and use the tip of the tongue instead of the part just
behind the tip as contact point for Baking ^. Listen and see if your
teacher's j sounds the sane or different before rounded and unrounded
vowels.
Listen: (Watch the teacher:)
rounded unrounded
Jo £ je #
ioi ja
What has been said in regard to lip-rounding for the j applies
also to ch sounds in Cantonese, but we will not practice this feature
in relation to ch until it comes up in the Basic Conversations,
ng, as in ngoh
ng is a voiced nasal initial consonant in Cantonese. In
position, the back surface of the tongue presses against the roof of
the mouth at the soft palate, in the same position as for the English
word "sing." We refer to this position as velar, making an adjective
of the word velum, the technical term for soft palate, ng is a velar
nasal consonant, which in Cantonese may occupy initial position in
a syllable.
Listen and repeat:
ngoh ^ (6 times)
The only reason this sound may be hard for English speakers is
that we don't have any words beginning with ng in English, though we
have many ending with the same sound.
If you have trouble, try saying "sing on" in English, and then
say the si part of "sing" silently, beginning to voice on the -ng
part:
sing on
(si)ng on
ng on
Now try initial ng again:
Listen and repeat:
ngoh $g (5 times)
18
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 1
k. o, and in Hon , ngoh
o is a final in Cantonese. It is a mid back rounded vowel — [o].
The closest American sound is the vowel sound of general American
"dog," but with more rounding of the lips than in English. In Can-
tonese a rounded vowel has a rounding effect on a consonant preceding
it in a syllable. Watch your teacher and note that in syllables with
an o vowel, he rounds his lips for the preceding consonant too.
Listen, watch the teacher, and repeat:
ngoh $ (5 times)
Hoh 13 (5 times)
5. yu, as in deuimhjyuh
yu is a single vowel spelled with two letters, yu is a high
front rounded vowel — [u] , occuring as a final in Cantonese. There is
no counterpart vowel in American English with a similar sound, but
you can produce the sound by protruding your lips while you sustain
the "ee" [i] sound of the English letter "E." The "long e" [i] sound
in English is a high front unrounded vowel. Hounding the lips pro-
duces a high front rounded vowel.
Listen, watch the teacher, and repeat:
1. deuimhjyuh jyuh jyuh
2. jyuh (3 times)
3. yu 5 ^ (fish) (3 times)
6. eu
eu is a single vowel spelled with two letters, eu is a mid front
roOhded vowel— C fi 1 , occuring as a final in Cantonese only in a very
few words. There is no counterpart vowel in American English with a
similar sound, but you can produce the sound by protruding your lips
while you sustain the "e" [E] sound of the English word "less." This
"short e" [E] sound in English is a mid front unrounded vowel.
Bounding the lips makes it a rounded vowel. In Cantonese a rounded
vowel has a rounding effect on a consonant preceding it in a syllable.
Watch your teacher, listen, and repeat:
leu 'spit out'
heu $t 'boot'
deu 'tiny bit'
19
LESSON 1
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
7. eung , ae in Jeung
eung is a two-part final composed of the mid front rounded vowel
eu [ *" ] plus the velar nasal consonant ng « There is no close English
counterpart. As a rounded final, eung has a rounding effect on a
consonant preceding it in a syllable.
The en portion of eung is not nasalized. In English, a vowel
before a nasal final is nasalized — that is, part of the air release
for the vowel goes through the nose. To illustrate the English
situation, hold your nose and say the following English words:
sue
soon
see
seem
sit
sing
You notice that the vowels of the words with nasal finals ( -n,
-m, and -ng) are partially blocked when the nose is blocked, thus
revealing that for such vowels some of the air is normally released
through the nose. The vowels of the words which do not end in a
nasal are unaffected by clocking the nasal passage. They are 'open*
vowels, not 'nasalized' vowels.
In Cantonese, a vowel before a nasal final is not nasalized —
All of the air is released through the mouth for the vowel portion.
Test whether you can keep the vowel open before nasal final by
stopping you nose as you say:
To practice the open vowel before a nasal final, try saying the
following pairs of words in which -eu and - eung are contrasted. To
make the -eung sound, pretend through the - eu part that you are going
to say -eu. then add the -ng as an after-thought. You will then
have an open eu followed by the nasal ng sound.
Jeung (5 times)
-eu
-eung
heung j§ fragrant
1. heu $fb boot
20
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 1
2. leu to spit out leuhng \jt? two
3. geu /$£ to saw geung / u ginger
k. jeuk ^ to wear Jeung |^ surname Cheung
eui, as in deuimhjynh
eui is a two-part final composed of the mid front rounded vowel
eu plus the high front rounded Towel £u C'u]. (We spell the second
part of this two-part final with i instead of yu — eui instead of euyu
the latter being extremely awkward-looking.) The major force of the
voice falls on the eu part, with the yu (spelled i) part an off glide.
Listen and repeat:
1. deuimhjyuh-j^^t (3 times)
2. deui W (3 times)
The tongue position for eu before i is slightly lower and more
backed than it is for eu before ng. eui = [ cei* ]; eung = [ ^ij ] .
Listen and watch for differences in eu sound: (Bead across
1. Jeung ^ Jeung Jeung Jeung
2. deu deui deui deui
3. Jeung $f- deui %\ times)
k. deui-ffl" Jeung times)
an . as in Chahn . .lousahn . mhganyiu
an is a two-part final composed of the backed mid central vowel
a [9'] plus the dental nasal consonant n. Tongue height for the
Cantonese a [9*] is lower than that for American vowel in "cup,"
higher than that for American vowel in "cop," and more backed than
either of the American counterparts. Before the nasal final the
Cantonese vowel is not nasalized, as an American vowel before a
nasal final would be. The Cantonese vowel is shorter and tenser
than the American counterparts.
Listen, watch the teacher, and repeat:
1. Chahn (4 times) fjjl
2. jousahn (4 times)
3. mhganyiu C+ times) *&%4r
Compare English and Cantonese syllables:
Listen and repeat: (Read across)
English Cantonese
1. John John Chahn Chahn $L
21
LESSOR 1
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
2. sun sub san aan
10. a as in mh
The bilabial nasal consonant m occurs as a vowel, in that the
consonant m is syllabic in the syllable rah.
Listen and repeat:
1. mhhaih (2 times)
2. haih Ahhaih a? (2 times)
11. Tone practice with words in Lesson 1:
Listen and repeat:
1. Jeung, jSu, sing ; Hoh, Leih, haih .
Jeung, jou, sing ; Hoh, Leih, haih .
Jeung, Jeung ; Hoh, Hoh .
jou, jou ; Leih, Leih .
; Leih, jou
2.
3.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
jou, Leih
sing, sing
sing, haih
Jeung, Hoh
Hoh, Jeung
; haih, haih
; haih, sing
; jou, Leih
; Leih, jou
; sing, haih
; haih, sing
II. Notes:
A. Culture Motes
1. Surname and titles .
a. Titles follow surnames: (Drills 1-6)
Leih Saang 'Mr. Lee'
Leih Taai 'Mrs. Lee'
Leih Sluje 'Mies Lee*
b. Saang/Slnsaang and Taai/Taaitaai
Saang and Slnsaang . Taai and Taaitaai are alternate forms for
•Mr.' and 'Mrs.' respectively.
Leih Slnsaang 'Mr. Lee*
Leih Taaitaai 'Mrs. Lee'
Native speakers differ in respect to their use of Saang and
Slnsaang . and Taai and Taaitaai as titles to surnames. Some say
that the full forms denote more respect and the short forms are
used in informal situations only. Others say that as title to
22
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON l
surnames the longer forms are used only In letters and that in
speech, Saang and Taai are used even for subordinates speaking to
superiors. Everyone seems to agree that on the telephone both
long forms and the short forms are common. In this book we have
used the short forms almost exclusively, but you— when you get
into a Cantonese speaking situation—keep your ears peeled and
imitate what your Cantonese peers are saying. Incidentally, you
will notice that what people say and what they say they say do
not always coincide exactly. Also, different people may disagree
vehemently about what is 'right.' This is confusing to the
beginning student. Be advised, however, that the area of dis-
agreement is on peripheral matters. If your teachers disagree
about two forms, you may safely conclude that both forms are
used, taaitaai basically = 'married woman;' slnsaang = 'man.'
c. Slnsaang as 'teacher'
Slnsaang meaning 'teacher' may be used with or without a
surname attached. A woman teacher named Wong may be addressed
as Slnsaang or as Wohng Slnsaang .
d. Slu je . 'unmarried woman,' used as title
In addressing a woman whose name you do not know, it is
appropriate to address her as Siuje . no matter how old she is,
and even if you know she is married. In addressing a woman by
her maiden name, the appropriate title is Siuje . Ex: Wohng
Siuje . It is the custom for Chinese women to use their maiden
names in business life, so it often turns out that someone
addressed as siuje is married.
e. It is inappropriate to refer to oneself by title in a social
situation. Avoid saying "Ng6h haih Smith Saang." Say instead
"Ngoh sing Smith ." (See Drill 5).
2. sing . V/N to have the surname of; surname
Sing is the surname one is born with, for married women,
equivalent to the English nee . The English and American custom
is for a woman's surname to change at the time of marriage to
that of her husband. The Cantonese sing does not change upon
marriage. When you ask a woman her surname, ordinarily she
23
LESSON 1 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
gives her maiden name in response. If it is a social gathering,
she might add something like "Ngoh sinsaang sing..., My husband
has the surname . . . . "
B. Structure Notes
1. Relationship of Cantonese to other Chinese languages.
Cantonese is traditionally called a dialect of Chinese. The
major dialect of Chinese being Mandarin, and other important dia-
lects in addition to Cantonese, are Shanghai, Fukkienese (also
called Hokkienese or Amoy) , and Hakka. Mandarin is considered the
major dialect because it is spoken by the greatest number of people
and, more importantly, because it has been prompted as the national
standard language by both the Communist Chinese government on
Mainland China and the Nationalist Chinese government on Taiwan.
Although historically descended from a single mother tongue,
the various Chinese dialects are today different languages. A
person who speaks only Cantonese cannot understand a person who
speaks only Mandarin, Shanghai, Fukkienese, or Hakka. However,
if two speakers of two different Chinese languages can read, they
can communicate, since Chinese has a uniform writing system which
is not based on sound. (A Western comparison can be made in the
number system, in which '2' is intelligible without reference to
pronunciation. )
The languages of the Chinese family group are different — and
similar-- on three levels « vocabulary, grammatical sentence struc-
ture, and phonological sound system. The level of greatest similar-
ity is in that of the grammatical sentence structure. Students who
have studied another Chinese language will find that in great mea-
sure they already 'know' the sentence patterns of Cantonese. In
preparing this book we at first planned to make a Cantonese-Mandarin
grammatical appendix to list the grammatically different struotures,
the idea being that they were listable, being so few of them. To
draw a parallel we wrote out the Basic Conversations of the first
13 lessons in Mandarin translation and found to our surprise quite
a lot more differences than we had expected. The differences, how-
ever, were mostly in the nature of 'You could say it that way — that
sentence pattern exists in Cantonese— but actually that's not the
way we say it, we say it this way.' We therefore didn't make the
appendix, but for the benefit of students who have previously
studied Mandarin, we have used the NoteB section to draw attention
to basic grammatical differences where they come up in the text.
On the level of vocabulary there are greater differences than
2k
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LKSSOM 1
on the level of grammatical structure, but still a great deal of
similarity. A rough check of the first 10 lessons of this book re-
veals that more than 55j6 of the Cantonese expressions have identical
Mandarin counterparts.
In pronunciation, differences are greater still, but there are
systematic correspondences. For example, ai in Mandarin is oi in
Cantonese. In total, though, the phonological correspondences are
quite complex, as witnessed by a series of artioles on the subject
in a Japanese linguistic journal which runs 26 pages long.
2. Sentence Types — full sentences and minor sentences .
a. Full sentences have two parts — subject and predicate, in that
order. Examples from the Basic Conversation of Lesson One are:
1. Ngoh mhhaih Leih Taai. I am not Mrs. Lee.
2. Ngoh sing Chahn. I am surnamed Chan.
In these sentences Ngoh is the subject and the remainder of
each sentence is the predicate.
b. Minor sentences are not in subject-predicate form. Minor
sentences are common as responses, commands, exclamations.
In Lesson One there are several minor sentences in the Basic
Conversation:
1. Hoh Saang, jousahn. Good morning, Mr. Ho.
2. Joigin. Goodbye.
3. Hhganyiu. That's all right, [literally:
Not important.]
3. Verbs .
In Cantonese, words which can be preceded by the negative
mh are regarded as verbs. There are a few cases in which this rule
doesn't work, but basically, you can test whether a new word you
hear is a verb by asking whether you can say mh ( new word ).
Is ngoh a verb? Ask the teacher whether it's OK to say mh ngoh .
Is haih a verb? Ask the teacher whether it's OK to say mh haih .
k. Adverbs.
In Cantonese an adverb is a word or word group which forms
a construction with a verb. In most cases in Cantonese adverbs
precede the verb they belong with. An example from Lesson 1 is
mh- . 'not,' which precedes a verb to form the negative.
5. PhraseB .
We give the name 'phrase' to a group of words which has a
25
LESSON 1 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
specialized meaning as a group. For example, in English, spill +
water = spill the water, and spill + beans = spill the beans.
Spill the water is a simple Verb + Object construction. Spill the
beans may be, but it may also be a phrase whose meaning differs from
the added together meaning of the individual words. This type of
phrase is often called an idiom, or an idiomatic expression. In
this lesson fihganyiu , 'It doesn't matter; That's all right; Never
mind,' is such a phrase.
V/e also give the name 'phrase' to another kind of construction-
a group of words whose total meaning may be the same as the added
together meaning of the individual words, but which we don't feel
is necessary for you to analyze and learn separately in the first
stage of learning Cantonese. It may even be that the fact that
the construction is grammatically a word group and not a single
word may not be apparent, since the construction may be written
as a single word. Examples are mhhou 'don't' in the Classroom
Phrases of Lesson 1 and sesiu 'a little' in Lesson 3.
6. Lead Sentences and Follow Sentences .
a. It's a pretty day today.
b. How about you?
c. Where?
a, b and c are all sentences, and all are intelligible, but in b
and c as stated it is not clear what is happening. Without drawing
too rigid lines, we are going to distinguish between lead sentences -
sentences that are intelligible as self-contained units, and follow
sentences , ones which depend upon information supplied by a pre-
ceding sentence or the context for full intelligibility.
. DRILLS
1. Substitution Drill: Substitute .joigin in the position of jousahn
following the pattern of the example sentence.
Ex: T: Leih Taai, jousahn. T: Good morning, Mrs. Le«.
S: Leih Taai, joigin. S: Goodbye, Mrs. Lee.
1. Chahn Taai, jousahn. 1. Chahn Taai, joigin.
26
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Lass ON 1
+ 2. Lauh Saang, jousahn. 2. Lauh Saang, joigin.
[Good morning, Mr. Lau.)
+ 3. Jeung Siuje, jousahn 3. Jeung Siuje, joigin.
(Good morning, Miss Cheung . )
+ h. Mah Saang, jousahn. k. Mah Saang, joigin.
CGood morning, Mr. Ma.)
5. Leih Taai, jousahn. 5. Leih Taai, joigin.
2. Substitution Drill: Substitute
following the pattern of the
Ex: T: Leih Taai, jousahn.
/Chahn/
S: Chahn Taai, jousahn.
1. Chahn Taai, jousahn. /Leih/
+ 2. Leih Taai, jousahn. /Wohng/
( Wong )
3. V/Shng Taai, jousahn. /Hoh/
f+. HSh Taai, jousahn. /Jeung/
5. Lauh Taai, jousahn. /Chahn/
ie cue in the appropriate position
:ample sentence.
T: Good morning, Mrs. Lee.
/Chan/
S: Good morning, Mrs. Chan.
1. Leih Taai, jousahn.
2. Wohng Taai, jousahn.
3. Hoh Taai, jousahn.
'+. Jeung Taai, jousahn.
5. Chahn Taai, jousahn.
3. Substitution Drill: Substitute the cue in the appropriate position,
following the pattern of the example sentence.
Ex: T: Wohng Saang, jousahn. T: Good morning, Mr. Wong.
/Taai/ /Mrs./
S: Wohng Taai, jousahn. S: Good morning, Mrs. Wong.
1.
Wohng Taai,
jousahn. /Sluje/
1.
Wohng Siuje
, jousahn.
2.
Wohng Sluje
, jousahn. /Lauh/
2.
Lauh Siuje,
jousahn.
3.
Lauh Sluje,
jousahn. /joigin/
3.
Lauh Siuje,
joigin.
Lauh Siuje,
joigin. /Saang/
k.
Lauh Saang,
joigin.
5.
Lauh Saang,
joigin. /Taai/
5.
Lauh Taai ,
joigin.
27
LESSON 1
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
h. Expansion Drill: Expand the cue sentence as indicated in the
example.
Ex:
T: Ngoh mhhaih Wohng T:
Saang.
I'm not Mr. Wong.
S: Deuimhjyuh, ngoh S:
mhhaih Wohng Saang.
I beg your pardon, 1
Mr. Wong.
!'m not
1.
Ngoh
mhhaih Leih Siuje.
1. Deuimhjyuh, ngoh
Leih Sluje.
mhhaih
2.
Ngoh
mhhaih Chahn Saang.
2. Deuimhjyuh, ngoh
Chahn Saang.
mhhaih
3.
Ngoh
mhhaih Jeung Taai.
3. Deuimhjyuh, ngoh
Jeung Taai.
mhhaih
h.
Ngoh
mhhaih Hoh Saang.
k. Deuimhjyuh, ngoh
Saang.
mhhaih Hoh
5.
Ngoh
mhhaih Wohng Taai.
5. Deuimhjyuh, ngoh
Wohng Taai.
mhhaih
5. Expansion Drill: Expand the cue sentences to conform with the
pattern of the example.
Ex: T: Ngoh mhhaih Leih T: I'm not Mrs. Lee. /Cheung/
Taai. /Jeung/
S: Ngoh mhhaih Leih S: I'm not Mrs. Lee, my name is
Taai, ngoh sing Cheung .
Jeung.
1.
Ngoh
mhhaih Hoh Taai. /Chahn/
1.
Ngoh mhhaih Hoh Taai, ngoh
sing Chahn.
2.
Ngoh
mhhaih Chahn Sluje. /Mah/
2.
Ngoh mhhaih Chahn Siuje,
ngoh sing Mah.
3.
Ngoh
mhhaih Mah Saang. /Wohng/
3.
Ngoh mhhaih Mah Saang, ngoh
sing Wohng.
k.
Ngoh
mhhaih Wohng Taai. /Jeung/
<f.
Ngoh mhhaih Wohng Taai,
ngoh sing Jeung.
5.
Ngoh
mhhaih Leih Taai. /Hoh/
5.
Ngoh mhhaih Leih Taai, ngoh
sing Hoh.
28
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
L£S SON 1
6. Conversation Drill: Carry on the
the model of the example.
Ex: A: Chahn Saang, jousahn.
B: Deuimhjyuh, ngoh
mhhaih Chahn
Saang. Ngoh sing
Jeung.
A: A, deuimhjyuh,
Jeung Saang.
B: Mhganyiu.
1. A: Chahn Siuje
B:
Wohng.
A:
B:
2. A: Jeung Siuje
B:
Leih.
A:
B:
3. Ar Hoh Saang
B:
Wohng.
A:
B:
k. A: Jeung Saang
B:
Leih.
A:
B:
5. A: Chahn Siuje
B:
Lauh.
29
suggested conversation following
A: Good Borning Mr. Chan.
B: I beg your pardon, I'm not
Mr. Chan. My name is Cheung.
A: A, excuse me, Mr. Cheung.
B: That's OK.
1. A: Chahn Siuje, jousahn.
B: Deuimhjyuh, ngoh mhhaih
Chahn Siuje. Ngoh sing
Wohng.
A: A, deuimhjyuh, Wohng
Siuje.
B: Mhganyiu.
2. A: Jeung Siuje, jousahn.
B: Deuimhjyuh, ngoh mhhaih
Jeung Siuje. Ngoh sing
Leih.
A: A, deuimhjyuh, Leih
aiuje.
B: Mhganyiu.
3. A: Hoh Saang, jousahn.
B: Deuimhjyuh, ngoh mhhaih
Hoh Saang. Ngoh sing
Wohng.
A: A, deuimhjyuh, Wohng
Saang.
B: Mhganyiu.
h. A: Jeung Saang, jousahn.
B: Deuimhjyuh, ngoh mhhaih
Jeung Saang. Ngoh sing
Leih.
A: A, deuimhjyuh, Leih Saang.
B: Mhganyiu.
5. A: Chahn Siuje, jousahn.
B: Deuimhjyuh, ngoh mhhaih
Chahn Siuje. Ngoh sing
Lauh.
LESSON 1
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
A, deuimhjyuh, Lauh
Sluje.
B: B: Mhganyiu.
Vocubulary Checklist for Lesson 1
1.
A
ex
Oh
2.
Chahn
sur
Chan
3.
deuimhjyuh
ph
Excuse me ; I beg your pardon
k.
haih
T
is, am, are, were, etc.
5«
non
sur
BO
6.
hohksaang
n
student
ft
1 •
J eung
sur
Cheung
Q
0.
Joigin
Ph
Goodbye
9.
Jousahn
*DVi
rn
Good morning
10.
Lauh
sur
Lau
11.
Leih
sur
Li
12.
Mah
sur
Ma
13.
mh-
adv
not
Ik.
Mhganyiu
Ph
That's all right; It doesn't
15.
ngoh
pro
I , me , my
16.
Saang
t
Mr.
17.
slnsaang
n
man (see notes) ; teacher
18.
Slnsaang
t
Mr. (see notes)
19.
sing
V
have the surname
20.
siuje
n
: unmarried woman; woman, lady
21.
Sluje
t
: Miss
22.
Taai
t
. Mrs.
23.
taaitaai
n
married woman (see notes)
2k.
Taai taai
t
: Mrs. (see notes)
25.
Wohng
sur
: Wong
30
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 2
CLASSROOM PHRASES
A. Learn to respond to the following classroom instructions:
1. Yihga ngoh mahn neih, neih 1. Now I'll ask you, and you answer
daap ngoh. me.
2. Yihga neihdeih jihgei mahn, 2. Now you yourselves ask and answer.
jihgei daap.
3* Gaijuhk. 3. Continue, (i.e., Do the next
one, Keep going.)
k. Neih jouh A , neih jouh k. You do A, you do B.
B .
B. The following are some comments that the teacher may make on your
recitations.
5. Ngaam laak. OR Sam laak. 5. That's it. (After student suc-
ceeds in saying something right.)
6. That's it. Now you've got it.
7. That's it. Now you've got it.
8. Just right. Quite accurate.
9. Good, spoken well.
10. No, that won't do. Not spoken
right.
11. Approximately, (i.e., Good
enough for now, but not perfect.)
12. Get it smoother. (When a student's
recitation is halting.)
13. Louder.
6. Haih gam laak.
7. Haih laak.
8. Hou jeun.
9. Gongdak hou.
10. Gongdak mhhou.
11. Chamhdo.
12. Yiu suhk dl.
13. Daaihseng dl.
31
LESSON 2
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
I. BASIC CONVERSATION
A, Buildup ;
slnsaang
gwaising
a
aiuje
Sluje gwaising a?
Ngoh sing Wohng.
Wohng Siuje.
ne?
Slnsaang ne?
slueing
Slusing Liuh.
(At a party in Hong Kong)
Slnsaang
Siur
your surname (polite)
sentence suffix, to soften
abruptness
woman
What is your surname, Hiss?
My name is Wong.
Slnsaang
(bowing slightly)
Miss Wong.
Sluie
S Inaaang
sentence suffix for
questions
And you? (polite)
my name (polite)
My name is Lau.
Slu.le
(bowing slightly)
Lauh Saang Mr. Lau.
Slnsaang
(Indicating a young lady standing beside Miss Wong)
matyeh or meyeh or mlyeh
sing meyeh a?
pahngyauh
neih
neih pahngyauh
Neih pahngyauh sing meyeh a?
Sluie
sing Man
what?
have what surname?
friend
your
your friend
What is your friend's name?
has the name Ma
32
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 2
g«
sing Man ge
keuih
Keuih sing Mah ge.
Slnsaang
Gwongdung
yahn
Gwongdungyahn
baib ihhaih a?
Keuih haib ihhaih Gwongdungyahn
a?
Slujo
Seuhnghoi
Seuhnghoiyahn
Ahhaih a. Keuih haih Seuhnghoiyahn.
Slnaaang
gam, . . .
Gam, neih ne?
Sluje
dou
dou haih Seuhnghoiyahn
Hgoh dou haih Seuhnghoiyahn.
noun-forming boundword. ge
suffixed to a Verb Phrase
■akes it grammatically
a Noun Phrase.
is a named-Ma one
he, she, it
Her name is Ma.
Kwangtung
person
Cantonese person, a person
from Kwangtung province
is/not-is? a question
formula
Is she Cantonese?
Shanghai
Shanghai person
No, she's from Shanghai.
•Well then, 'Say', ...
sentence prefix, resuming
the thread of previous
discussion.
And you?
also
also am Shanghai person
I'm also fros Shanghai.
Recapitulation :
(At a party in Hong Kong)
Slnaaang
Siuje gwaising a? What is your (sur)naae. Miss?
33
LESSON 2
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Ngoh sing Wohng.
Wohng Sluje.
Slnsaang ne?
Slusing Lauh.
Lauh Saang.
Sluje
My nana is Wong.
Slnsaang
(bowing slightly)
Miss Wong.
Sluje
And you?
Slnsaang
My name is Lau.
Sluje
(bowing slightly)
Mr. Lau.
Slnsaang
(Indicating a young lady standing baside Miss Wong)
Neih pahngyauh sing meyeh a? What is your friend's nana?
Slnje
Keuih sing Math ge. Her nan* is Ma.
Slnsaang
Keuih haih mhhaih Qwongdungyahn Is she Cantonese?
a?
Sln^
Rhhaih a. Keuih haih Seuhnghoiyahn. No, she's from Shanghai.
Slnsaang
Cam, neih ne? And you?
Sluje
Ngoh dou haih Seuhnghoiyahn. I'm also from Shanghai.
♦ + + ♦ + + + + + + + ♦♦♦
Problem sounds in Lesson Two : Initials
1» ]>« d, £, and J (phonetically [p] , [t], [k] , and [tp].
b, d, £, and j sounds in Cantonese are voiceless, in contrast
to the voiced English sounds spelled with the same letters.
Positioning for Cantonese b and £ sounds is the same as for English.
For the d sound the tongue tip is more forward in Cantonese than in
English— against the base of the upper teeth for Cantonese, on the
dental ridge for English. Position for the ^ sound has been dis-
3>*
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
L£SSON 2
cussed in Lesson One. The sounds are unaspirated, as are their
English counterparts, but the Cantonese and English sounds contrast
with respect to tenseness — the Cantonese initial consonants being
tense and the English lax in isolated words and in stressed position
in a sentence.
Compare: (left to right, then right to left.)
English
Cantonese
b:
bean
bin go
5jj_ 1(51
who
beau
bou
ciotn
buoy
bui
cup
bun
ban
guest
buy
baai
worship
H •
u •
do 6
dou
arriTe
die
daai
bring
ding
ding
rr
surname Ting
deem
dim
A,
shop (Noun)
g:
gay
gei
-tt
record (Verb!
gum
gam
4
so
guy
g&ai
%
border
guava
Gwongdui
. Kwangtung
joy
Joi
again
Ji
1
until, to
Jew
jiu
«.
reflect
Joe
Jou
*i-
stove
2. £, t, k, and ch. As initials, phonetically Cp'], Ct'], [k*], and
Ct<3.
Cantonese js, t, k, and ch sounds are similar to English counter-
part j>, t, k, ch sounds in that they are voiceless and aspirated*
Positioning for jo and k is the same as for English. For the t
sound the tongue tip is more forward in Cantonese than in English—
against the base of the upper teeth for Cantonese, on the dental
ridge for English. The positioning for ch has been discussed in
35
LESSOW 2
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Lesson One. The Cantonese consonants are tenser than the American
counterparts*
Compare : (left to right, then right to left)
English Cantonese
p: pingpong pahngyauhjlJj^t. friend
P*T
pei
Ok
to throw over
shoulders
pie
paai
send
Poe
pou
shop (N)
putt
pat
&
M for horses
t:
tie
taai
necktie
team
tin
additional
top
taap
*
pagoda
tong
tong
■ f mm , \
iron (Verb)
k:
cow
kaau
%
lean on
Kay
kei
%
hope
cut
kit
A
cough
cup
kip
step (Noun)
ch:
chuck
chak
*J
guess
chew
chiu
exceed
chow
chau
A
bad smell
chip
chip
4-
concubine
3. un, as in Yahtbun . Yahtbunyahn
Un is a two-part final composed of the high back rounded vowel
u [u] followed by the velar nasal consonant n.
u is a high back rounded vowel, which before n has a slight
offglide to high central position: u + n = [ut^-n]. The vowel is
open, not nasalized, before the nasal final. The Cantonese un is
roughly comparable to the oon in general American "boon."
Compare Cantonese and English:
1. bun 4- boon (3 times)
2. boon bun 4~(3 times)
36
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE lesson 2
k. eui practice
Listen and repeat — remember to keep the lips rounded throughout,
remember that the ^ of eui represents the rounded high front vowel
yu [*u3.
keuih (5 times) -46.
deuiihjyuh (5 times) -fffHM*-
deui (5 times)
5. iu
iu is a two-part final composed of the high front unrounded
vowel i [i] plus the high back rounded vowel u [u]. In this se-
quence the i is pronounced as an onglide, with the main force of
voicing on the u portion of the syllable — [*u].
Listen and repeat:
1. siuje (3 times)
2. siu (3 times)
6. Tone practice
1. dou dou , sing sing , haih haih
2. dou sing haih , haih sing dou .
3. dou sing , sing haih , dou haih
haih dou .
if. dou dou , Jeung Jeung .
5. Jeung, dou , dou Jeung .
6. siu siu , neih neih
7. siu neih , neih slu
8. haih yahn , yahn haih .
II. Notes
A. Culture Notes:
1. A Gwongdungyahn is a person from Kwangtung province. In English
such a person is usually referred to as 'Cantonese,' the English
name deriving from the city of Canton in Kwangtung province.
People from Hong Kong are also included in the term Gwongdungyahn .
2. Polite forms in social conversation :
a) Slnsaang and siuje are polite formal substitutes for neih —
'you' as terms of direct address.
37
LESSON 2
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
1. Sinsaang gwaising a? What is the gentleman's (i.e.,
your) name?
2. Siuje gwaising a? What is the lady's (i.e., your)
name?
(See Drill 11 )
b) Siuje is the general polite substitute for neih when addressing
a woman, even if she is a married woman.
Ex:
Mr. Lee (to Mrs. Chan):
Siuje haih mhhaih Gwong- Is the lady (i.e., Are you)
dungyahn a? from Kwangtung?
(See Drill Ik )
c) Surname and title as polite formal substitute for neih as term
of address.
Ex:
Mr. Lee (to Miss Chan):
Chahn Siuje haih mhhaih Is Miss Chan (i.e., Are you)
Gwongdungyahn a? from Kwangtung?
(See Drill Ik )
d) gwai - and siu -
1. gwai- is a polite form meaning "your," referring to the
person you are talking to.
Ex: gwaising = your name. The literal meaning of gwai-
"precious, valuable."
2. siu- is a polite form used in referring to oneself when
talking with another person. It means "my." Ex: siusing =
my name. The literal meaning of siu- is "small."
(See Drill 11 )
3. Ngoh sing seems more commonly used than siusing, but
gwaising is more common than Neih sing meyeh a ? in social
conversation. At a doctor's office, or in registering for
school 'What is your name 1 would be more apt to be asked
as ' Sing meyeh ?' than as ' Gwaising a ? '
B. Structure Notes .
Some people in speaking about Cantonese and other Chinese
languages, say "Cantonese has no grammar." In this they are referring
38
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Lass ON 2
to the fact that words in Cantonese (and other Chinese languages) do
not undergo the changes of form which English words experience in
relation to tense: see, saw, seen; to number: boy, boys; to case: I,
me, my, mine; to word class: photograph, photographer, photography,
photographic; to subject-verb concord: He sits, They sit.
1. Verb form : Absence of Subject-Verb concord.
There is no subject-verb concord in Cantonese. Whereas
the English verb changes form in concord with the subject —
I am, You are, He is — , the Cantonese verb remains in one
form regardless of the subject.
Ex:
Subject Verb
Ngoh haih Chahn Siuje. I am Miss Chan.
Neih haih ngoh pahngyauh. You are my friend.
Keuih haih Gwongdungyahn • He is Cantonese.
Keuihdeih haih Seuhnghoiyahn. They are Shanghai people.
(See Drill 3_)
2. Noun form : Absence of Singular/Plural Distinction.
There is no distinction in Chinese nouns between singular
and plural. One form is used for both single and plural
objects, with other parts of the sentence, or sometimes simply
the situational context, giving information regarding number.
Ex: yahn = person, people
Yinggwokyahn = 'Englishman, Englishmen.'
S ingular/Plural
(a) Keuih haih Yinggwokyahn. He is an Englishman.
(b) Keuihdeih haih Yinggwokyahn. They are Englishmen.
(See Drill 3_)
3. Pronoun forms .
1. Cantonese has three personal pronouns:
1. ngoh = I, me, my
2. neih = you, your (singular)
3. keuih = he, she, it, him, her
2. Plurality is marked in personal pronouns by the plural
suffix -deih:
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
1. ngoh = I
ngohdeih = we (both inclusive and exclusive)
2. neih = you (sing.)
neihdeih = you (plu.)
3. keuih = he, she, it
keuihdeih = they
(See Drill 3_)
k. Modification structures; Noun modification ;
In Cantonese a modifier precedes the noun it modifies:
Example: Modifier * Noun head
We will refer to this modifier-modified noun structure as a
Noun Phrase (NP) , consisting of modifier and head.
(See Drills 5a, 12. 13 )
5. Sentence suffixes .
What we call sentence suffixes are also called "final
particles" and "sentence finals."
Sentence suffixes are used in conversation, and are a
means by which the speaker signals the listener what he feels
about what he's saying — that he is doubtful, definite, sur-
prised, sympathetic, that he means to be polite, or sar-
castic.
Some sentence suffixes have actual content meaning. For
example, me, which you will learn in Lesson 3, has inter-
rogative meaning, and suffixed to a statement sentence makes
it a question. But others operate primarily as described
above — to add an emotion-carrying coloration to the sentences
they attach to. As such they have been called also "in-
tonation-carrying particles," intonation here used in its
"tone of voice" sense.
Two sentence suffixes appear in the Basic Conversation
of this lesson:
My friend is an Englishman.
1.
Sentence suffix a
The sentence suffix a has the effect of softening the
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 2
sentence to which it is attached, making it less
abrupt than it would otherwise be.
Examples from this lesson:
1. Keuih haih mhhaih Is she a Cantonese?
Gwongdilngyahn a?
2. fthhaih a. No.
In English a courteous tone of voice is perhaps the
best counterpart to the a sentence suffix.
(See Basic Conversation (BC), and Drill 7 )
2. Sentence suffix ne
ne in a follow sentence of structure Noun + ne ? is
an interrogative sentence suffix, meaning 'how
about...?,' 'And...?' In such a sentence ne is
interrogative on its own:
Example :
Ngoh haih Gwongdung- I am a Cantonese; how
yahn; neih ne? about you?
Sentence suffix a is not substitutable for ne in
this type of sentence, a not having an interrogative
sense of its own.
(See BC, and Drill lh )
We have used tone marks in writing the sentence suffixes,
but perhaps it would have been better to use other symbols,
maybe arrows pointing up for high, diagonally for rising, to
the right for mid, down for falling. Since some finals can
be said with different pitch contours with the effect of
changing the coloration of what is said but not the content,
they are not truly tonal words. For example, sentence suffix
a, encountered in this lesson, we have described as having
the effect of softening an otherwise rather abrupt sentence.
This final can also be said at high pitch: a, without chang-
ing the sentence-softening aspect, but adding liveliness to
the response.
Ex: A: Neih haih mhhaih Are you a Cantonese?
Gwongdilngyahn a?
^1
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
B: fthhaih a. Ngoh haih No, siree , 1 1 m a Shanghai man.
Seuhnghoiyahn.
Beginning students, even advanced students, often have a
lot of difficulty with sentence suffixes, because they don't
fit into categories which we recognize in English. Partly
this is because most of us haven' t analyzed the English we
use. How would you explain, for example, the English
"sentences suffixes" in the following:
1. vVhat do you mean by that, pray?
2. Hand me that pencil, will you?
3. Cut that out, hear?
k. He's not coming, I don't think.
Our advice to students in regard to sentence suffixes is
absorb them as you can, don't get bogged down in trying to
plumb their "real" meanings — in doing so, you spend more time
on them than they warrant.
6. Choice-type Questions .
Questions which in English would be answered by yes or
no, are formed in Cantonese by coupling the positive and
negative forms of a verb together, and requiring an echo
answer of the suitable one. This question form we call the
Choice-type Question.
Example:
Question: Keuih haih mhhaih Is he an American?
(See BC and Drills 6, 9, 13, 1*0
7. Question-word Questions .
Question-word Questions are question sentences using
the Cantonese question-word equivalents of what, when, where,
why, how, how much, how many, who. meyeh ? 'what? 1 (variant
pronunciations matyeh ? and miyeh ?) is an example of a
question-word.
Meihgwokyahn a?
[He is-not is American-
person a?]
Yes. [Is.]
No. [Not-is]
Responses: Haih.
fthhaih.
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Lass ON 2
In Cantonese question-word (QW) questions pattern like state-
ment sentences — they have the same word order as statement senten-
ces, with the question-word occupying the same position in the
sentence which the reply word occupies in the statement.
a? [He is surnamed what?] What
is his name?
[He is surnamed Wong.] His
name is Wong.
Example: Keuih sing
Keuih sing
meyeh
Wohng
(See BC and Drill 12, 13 )
8. -ge . noun-forming boundword
ge attaches to the end of a word or phrase which is not
a noun and makes it into a noun phrase. In such cases it
usually works to translate -ge into English as 'one who' or
'such a one.' When we say ge is a boundword we mean it is
never spoken as a one-word sentence, but always accompanies
some other word.
Example: 1. Keuih sing Wohng ge. She is one who has the
surname Wong, or
She's a person named
Wong.
(See BC and Drills 9, 10. 12, 13 )
ga is a fusion of ge + sentence suffix a
Example: A: Keuih haih mhhaih Is he named Wong?
sing Wohng ga?
B: fthhaih — keuih
mhhaih sing Wohng
ge. Keuih sing
H6h.
(See Drill 9 )
No, he's not named Wong.
His name is Ho.
LESSON 2
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
9. matyeh , meyeh , and mlyeh = variant pronunciations for 'what?'
matyeh is occasionally used in conversations as an
emphatic form; normally the spoken pronunciation is meyeh or
mlyeh , some people favoring meyeh , others mlyeh . We have
written meyeh uniformly in the text, but on the tapes you
will hear all three forms.
. DRILLS
1. Transformation Drill: Make negative sentences following the
pattern of the example. Student should point to himself in ngoh
sentences, to another student in keuih and neih sentences.
Ex: T: Keuih haih Seuhng- T: He (or she) is from Shanghai,
hoiyahn. (Shanghai person)
S: Keuih mhhaih S: He (or she) is not from
Seuhnghoiyahn. Shanghai.
1.
Keuih haih Seuhnghoiyahn
1.
Keuih mhhaih Seuhnghoiyahn.
+
2.
Keuihdeih haih Gwongdungyahn.
( They are Cantonese.)
2.
Keuihdeih mhhaih Gwongdung-
yahn.
+
3.
Ngoh haih Junggwokyahn.
(I am a Chinese.)
3.
Ngoh mhhaih Junggwokyahn.
+
h.
Ngohdeih haih Junggwokyahn.
(We are Chinese.)
k.
Ngohdeih mhhaih Junggwokyahn.
+
5.
Neih haih Yinggwokyahn.
(You are an Englishman.)
5.
Neih mhhaih Yinggwokyahn.
+
6.
Neih haih Meihgwokyahn.
(You are an American)
6.
Neih mhhaih Meihgwokyahn.
+
7.
Neihdeih haih Meihgwokyahn.
(You (plu.) are Americans.)
7.
Neihdeih mhhaih Meihgwok-
yahn.
+
8.
Ngoh haih Yahtbunyahn.
(I am a Japanese.)
8.
Ngoh mhhaih Yahtbunyahn.
+
9.
Ngoh haih Toihsaanyahn.
(I am a Toishan man.)
9.
Ngoh mhhaih Toihsaanyahn.
2. Substitution Drill: Substitute the cue word to make a new sen-
tence, following the pattern of the example.
Ex: T: Keuihdeih haih T: They are Cantonese.
Gwongdungyahn /Shanghai people/
/Seuhnghoiyahn/
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON 2
S: Keuihdeih haih S:
They are Shanghai
people.
Seuhnghoiyahn.
1.
Keuihdeih haih Seuhnghoiyahn.
1.
Keuihdeih
haih
Meihgwokyahn.
/Meihgwokyahn/
2.
Keuihdeih haih Meihgwokyahn.
2.
Keuihdeih
haih
Yinggwokyahn.
/Yinggwokyahn/
3.
Keuihdeih haih Yinggwokyahn.
3.
Keuihdeih
haih
Yahtbunyahn.
/Yahtbunyahn/
Keuihdeih
k.
Keuihdeih haih Yahtbunyahn.
4.
haih
J unggwokyahn .
/Junggwokyahn/
5.
Keuihdeih haih Junggwokyahn.
5.
Keuihdeih
haih
Gwongdung-
/Gwongdungyahn/
yahn.
3. Mixed Substitution Drill: Substitute the cue word in the appro-
priate position, following the pattern of the example.
Ex: T: Ngoh haih Seuhng-
hoiyahn. /neihdeih/
S: Neihdeih haih Seuhng-
hoiyahn.
T: Neihdeih haih Seuhng-
hoiyahn.
/Junggwokyahn/
S: Neihdeih haih Jung-
gwokyahn.
1. Keuih haih Yinggwokyahn.
/keuihdeih/
2. Keuihdeih haih Yinggwokyahn.
/neihdeih/
3. Neihdeih haih Yinggwokyahn.
/Meihgwokyahn/
k. Neihdeih haih Meihgwokyahn.
/ngoh/
5. Ngoh haih hohksaang.
/slnsaang/
I am from Shanghai,
/you (plu.)/
You (plu.) are from Shanghai.
You (plu.) are from Shanghai.
/Chinese/
You (plu.) are Chinese.
1. Keuihdeih haih Yinggwokyahn.
2. Neihdeih haih Yinggwokyahn.
3. Neihdeih haih Meihgwokyahn.
k. Ngoh haih Meihgwokyahn.
5. Ngoh haih slnsaang.
4. Expansion Drill: Expand the cue sentences as indicated in the
example. Students should gesture to indicate pronouns.
Ex: T: Keuih mhhaih Leih
Taai.
She is not Mrs. Lee.
k5
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
S: Keuih mhhaih Leih
Taai, ngoh haih.
She is not Mrs. Lee, I am.
1.
Keuih
mhhaih Jeung Saang.
1.
2.
Keuih
mhhaih Chahn Sluje.
2.
3.
Keuih
mhhaih Hdh Saang.
3.
k.
Keuih
mhhaih Leih Taai.
5.
Keuih
mhhaih Chahn Saang.
5.
Ceuih mhhaih
ngoh haih.
Ceuih mhhaih
ngoh haih.
Ceuih mhhaih
ngoh haih.
Ceuih mhhaih
ngoh haih.
Ceuih mhhaih
ngoh haih.
5. Transformation Drill: Respond according to the pattern of the
example. Students gesture pronouns.
Ex: T: Ngoh haih Meih-
gwokyahn.
3: Neih haih mhhaih
Meihgwokyahn a?
1. Ngoh haih Gwongdungyahn.
2. Ngoh haih Wohng Saang.
3. Keuih haih Leih Saang.
k. Ngoh haih Meihgwokyahn.
5. NgShdeih haih Yahtbunyahn.
6. Keuih haih Junggwokyahn.
T: 1 am an American.
S: Are you an American?
1. Neih haih mhhaih Gwong-
dungyahn a?
2. Neih haih mhhaih Wohng
Saang a?
3. Keuih haih mhhaih Leih
Saang a?
h. Neih haih mhhaih Meih-
gwokyahn a?
5. Neihdeih haih mhhaih
Yahtbunyahn a?
6. Keuih haih mhhaih Jung-
gwokyahn a?
a. Do the above sentences as an expansion drill, expanding
with pahngyauh thus:
T: Ngoh haih Gwongdungyahn.
S : Ngoh pahngyauh haih Gwongdungyahn.
k6
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 2
6. Response Drill: Respond according
Ex: T: Jeung Sluje haih T:
mhhaih Meihgwokyahn
a? /Yinggwokyahn/
S: fthhaih. Keuih haih S:
Yinggwokyahn.
1. Neih haih mhhaih Yinggwokyahn
a? /Meihgwokyahn/
2. Neih haih mhhaih ^Seuhng-^
hoiyahn a? /Gwongdungyahn/
3. Jeung Saang haih mhhaih
Gwongdungyahn a?
/3 euhnghoiyahn/
k. Mah Taai haih mhhaih Ying-
gwokyahn a? /Meihgwokyahn/
5. Keuih haih mhhaih S euhng-
hoiyahn a? /Toihsaanyahn/
o the pattern of the example.
Is Miss Cheung an American?
/English-person/
No, she's English.
1. Mhhaih. Ngoh haih Meih-
gwokyahn.
2. fthhaih. ^Ngoh haih Gwong-
dungyahn.
3. fthhaih. Keuih haih S euhng-
hoiyahn.
k. fthhaih. Keuih haih Meih-
gwokyahn.
5. fthhaih. Keuih haih Toih-
saanyahn.
7. Conversation Exercise: Carry on the suggested Conversations
following the pattern of the example.
Ex: A: Neih haih mhhaih A: Are you Miss Cheung?
Jeung Sluje a?
B: fthhaih. Ngoh sing B: No, my name is Chan.
Chahn.
1. A: .
B: .
2. A: .
B: .
3. A: .
B: .
k. A: .
B: .
5. A: .
. . Chahn Saang a? 1. A: Neih haih mhhaih Chahn
Saang a?
. . Hoh. B: fthhaih a. Ngoh sing Hon.
. . Leih Siuje a? 2. A: Neih haih mhhaih Leih
. . Jeung.
Siuje a?
B: fthhaih a. Ngoh sing
Jeung.
. . Chahn Taai a? 3» A: Neih haih mhhaih Chahn
Taai a?
B: fthhaih a. Ngoh sing Hoh.
h. A: Neih haih mhhaih Leih
Saang a?
B: fthhaih a. Ngoh sing
J eung .
5. A: Neih haih mhhaih Hoh
Sluje a?
.. Hoh.
. . Leih Saang a?
. . Jeung.
.. Hoh Sluje a?
^7
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
B: Chahn.
B: Mhhaih a. NgSh sing Chahn.
7a. Continue, with student A using a name at random and
student B using his own name in response.
8. Response Drill: Respond according
Ex: T: Keuih sing Wohng. T:
/Jeung/
S : Keuih mhhaih sing S :
Wohng, sing Jeung.
to the pattern of the example:
Her name is Wong. /Cheung/
Her name is not Wong, it's
Cheung.
1.
Keuih
sing Jeung. /Hoh/
1.
Keuih mhhaih
sing Hoh.
sing Jeung,
2.
Keuih
sing Hoh. /Chahn/
2.
Keuih mhhaih
Chahn.
sing Hoh, sing
3.
Keuih
sing Chahn. /Leih/
3.
Keuih mhhaih
sing Leih.
sing Chahn,
k.
Keuih
sing Leih. /Lauh/
h.
Keuih mhhaih
Lauh.
sing Leih, sing
5.
Keuih
sing Mah. /Wohng/
5.
Keuih mhhaih
Wohng .
sing Mah, sing
9. Response Drill
Ex: T: Keuih haih mhhaih sing Is her name Chan? /Ho/
+ Chahn £a? /Hoh/
S: Mhhaih. Keuih sing Hoh No, her name is Ho.
ge.
1.
Keuih
haih mhhaih
sing
Leih
1.
Mhhaih.
Keuih
sing
Chahn ge.
ga?
/Chahn/
2.
Keuih
haih mhhaih
sing
Mah
2.
Mhhaih.
Keuih sing
H6h ge.
ga?
/Hoh/
3.
Keuih
haih mhhaih
sing
Jeung
3.
Mhhaih.
Keuih
sing
Leih ge.
ga?
/Leib/
k.
Keuih
haih mhhaih
sing
Chahn
4.
Mhhaih.
Keuih
sing
Mah ge.
ga?
/Mah/
5.
Keuih
haih mhhaih
sing
Hoh
5.
Mhhaih.
Keuih
sing
Jeung ge.
ga? /Jeung/
Comment :
a. Sentence suffix ga. is a fusion of ge + a = ga .
48
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 2
b. In the choice-type question form, sing is preceded by
haih mhhaih to make the question.
10. Expansion Drill:
Ex: T: Neihdeih haih Meih-
gwokyahn.
/ngohdeih/
S: Neihdeih haih Meih-
gwokyahn; ngohdeih
dou haih Meihgwok-
yahn.
1. Keuihdeih haih Yinggwokyahn.
/ngohdeih/
2. Ngohdeih haih Seuhnghoiyahn.
/keuihdeih/
3. Wohng Taai haih ngoh pahng-
yauh. /keuih/
h. Keuihdeih haih Gwongdiingyahn.
/neihdeih/
5. Ngohdeih haih sing Chahn ge.
/keuihdeih/
You are Americans, /we/
You are Americans; we are also
Americans.
1. Keuihdeih haih Yinggwokyahn;
ngohdeih dou haih Ying-
gwokyahn.
2. Ngohdeih haih Seuhnghoiyahn;
keuihdeih dou haih Seuhng-
hoiyahn.
3. Wohng Taai haih ngoh pahng-
yauh; keuih dou haih ngoh
pahngyauh.
h. Keuihdeih haih Gwongdungyahn;
neihdeih dou haih Gwong-
dungyahn.
5. Ngohdeih haih sing Chahn ge;
keuihdeih dou haih sing
Chahn ge.
11. Conversation Exercise
Example :
1. A: Siuje gwaising a?
B: Siusing Hoh.
A: Hoh Sluje.
2. A: Slnsaang gwaising a?
B: Siusing Lauh.
A: Lauh Saang.
1. A: Slnsaang ?
B: Leih.
A:
^9
(To a woman) What is your name?
My name is Ho.
Miss Ho.
(To a man) What is your name?
My name is Lau.
Mr. Lau.
1. A: Slnsaang gwaising a?
B: Siusing Leih.
A: Leih Saang.
LESSON 2 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
2. A: Slnsaang ? 2. A: Slnsaang gwaising a?
B: Chahn. B: Siusing Chahn.
A: A: Chahn Saang.
3. A: Slnsaang ? 3« A: Sinsaang gwaising a?
B: Jeung. B: SiU6ing Jeung.
A: A: Jeung Saang.
k. A: Siuje ? k. A: Siuje gwaising a?
B: Wohng. B: Siusing Wohng.
A: A: Wohng Siuje.
5. A: Siuje ? 5. A: Siuje gwaising a?
B: Hoh. B: Siusing Hoh.
A: A: Hoh Siuje.
12. Conversation Drill
Ex: A: Neih pahngyauh sing
meyeh a?
B: Keuih sing Wohng ge.
1. A: 1
B: Hoh
2. A: ?
B Lauh
3. A: ?
B: Wohng
k. A: ?
B: Jeung
5. A: ?
B: Leih
What is your friend's name?
His name is Wong.
1. A: Neih pahngyauh sing
meyeh a?
B: Keuih sing Hoh ge.
2. A: Neih pahngyauh sing
meyeh a?
B: Keuih sing Lauh ge.
3. A: Neih pahngyauh sing
miyeh a?
B: Keuih sing Wohng ge.
k. A: Neih pahngyauh sing
miyeh a?
B: Keuih sing Jeung ge.
5. A: Neih pahngyauh sing
meyeh a?
B: Keuih sing Leih ge.
50
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 2
13. Conversation Drill
Ex: A: Neih pahngyauh sing A: What is your friend's name?
meyeh a?
B: Keuih sing vVohng ge. B: His name is .Vong.
A: Keuih haih mhhaih A: Is he a Cantonese?
Gwongdungyahn a?
B: Mhhaih. Keuih haih B: No, he's a Japanese.
Yahtbunyahn.
1. A: ? 1. A: Neih pahngyauh sing
meyeh a?
B: Hoh. B: Keuih sing Hoh ge.
A: ....Yinggwokyahn a? A: Keuih haih mhhaih
Yinggwokyahn a?
B: Meihgwokyahn. B: Mhhaih. Keuih haih
Meihgwokyahn.
2. A: ? 2. A: Neih pahngyauh sing
meyeh a?
B: Leih. B: Keuih sing Leih ge.
A: ...Seuhnghoiyahn a? A: Keuih haih mhhaih
Seuhnghoiyahn a?
B: Toihsaanyahn. B: fthhaih. Keuih haih
Toihsaanyahn.
3. A: ..? 3. A: Neih pahngyauh sing
meyeh a?
B: ..Chahn. B: Keuih sing Chahn ge.
A: ....Meihgwokyahn a? A: Keuih haih mhhaih Meih-
gwokyahn a?
B: Yinggwokyahn. B: Mhhaih. Keuih haih
Yinggwokyahn.
4. A: ? 4. A: Neih pahngyauh sing
meyeh a?
B: ...Mah. B: Keuih sing Mah ge.
A: ...Gwongdungyahn a? A: Keuih haih mhhaih Gwong-
dungyahn a?
B: Seuhnghoiyahn. P: Mhhaih. Keuih haih
Seuhnghoiyahn.
5. A: ? 5« A: Neih pahngyauh sing
meyeh a?
B: V/ohng. B: Keuih sing iVohng ge.
51
LESSON 2 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
A: Yahtbunyahn a? A: Keuih haih mhhaih Yaht-
bunyahn a?
B: Junggwokyihn. B: Mhhaih. Keuih haih Jung-
gwokyahn.
6. A: 1 6. A: Neih pahngyauh sing
meyeh a?
B: Jeung. B: Keuih sing Jeung ge.
A: ...Seuhnghoiyahn a? A: Keuih haih mhhaih Seuhng-
hoiyahn a?
B: Yahtbunyahn. B : Mhhaih. Keuih haih Yaht-
bunyahn.
Ik. Conversation Drill: Carry on the suggested conversations following
the pattern of the example.
Ex: A: Sinsaang haih mhhaih Is the gentleman (i.e. Are you)
Meihgwokyahn a? an American?
B: Mhhaih — ngoh haih No, I'm an Englishman. And
Yinggwokyahn. the lady (i.e. you)?
Sluje ne?
A: Ng6h haih Gwongdung- I am a Cantonese,
yahn.
1. A: (Woman): Sinsaang A: Sinsaang haih mhhaih
. . . .Gwongdungyahn. GwSngdungyahn a?
B: (Man) : ....Seuhnghoiyahn. B: fthhaih. Ngoh haih Seuhng-
hoiyahn. Sluje ne?
A: (Woman): Yahtbunyahn. A: Ngoh haih Yahtbunyahn.
2. A: (Man) : Siuje A: Siuje haih mhhaih Yaht-
Yahtbunyahn... bunyahn a?
B: (Woman): ....Junggwokyahn... B: fthhaih. Ngoh haih Jung-
gwoyahn. Sinsaang ne?
A: (Man) : .....Meihgwokyahn.. A: Ngoh haih Meihgwokyahn.
3. A: (Man) : Sinsaang A: Sinsaang haih mhhaih
...... Yinggwokyahn Yinggwokyahn a?
B: (Man) : Meihgwokyahn. B: Mhhaih. Ngoh haih Meih-
gwokyahn. Sinsaang ne?
A: (Man) : Gwongdungyahn. A: Ngoh haih Gwongdungyahn.
k. A: (Woman): Mah Sinsaang .... A: Mah Sinsaang haih mhhaih
Yahtbunyahn. Yahtbunyahn a?
52
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 2
B: (Man) : Junggwokyahn. B: fthhaih. Ngoh haih Jung-
. ...Chahn Sluje...? gwokyahn. Chahn Siuje
ne?
A: (Woman): Yinggwokyahn. A: Ngoh haih Yinggwokyahn.
a. Continue, students using their own situation to carry
on the suggested conversations.
IV. CONVERSATIONS FOR LISTENING
The text of these conversations is written out in Appendix 1.
Listen to the tape with your book closed, checking the text
afterward, if necessary.
V. SAY IT IN CANTONESE:
In this section you get directed practice in using some of the
Cantonese you have learned, using the English sentences to prompt
you. This is not to be thought of as a translation exercise — the
English is just to get you going. Try to put the ideas into Cantonese,
saying it the way the Cantonese would. Often there will be quite a
few ways to say the same thing.
A. Ask the person sitting next And he answers:
2.
3.
1.
to you:
What is your name?
Are you an Englishman?
Is your friend also an
2. No, I'm an American.
3. Yes, he is.
1. My name is
American?
5-
6.
7.
Is Miss Ho from Shanghai? k. No, she's from Toishan.
Is Mr. Lau a Toishan man? 5. Yes, he is.
What is your friend's name? 6. His name is Lee.
Are you Mr(s). Wong? 7. I'm not Mr(s). Wong, my name
is
8.
Are you a student?
8. No, I'm not a student, I'm a
teacher.
53
LESSON 2 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
B. At a party:
1. Mr. Wong asks Mr. Ho his name.
2. Mr. Ho replies that his name is Ho, and asks Mr. Wong his name.
3. Mr. Wong gives his name, and asks Mr. Ho if he is a Kwangtung
man.
4. Mr. Ho answers that he is. He asks Mr. Ho if he also is from
Kwangtung.
5. Mr. Wong says no, that he is a Shanghai man.
C. A and B, two new students, wait for the teacher to come to class:
1. A asks B what his name is. (students use actual names)
2. B replies and inquires A's name.
3. A gives his name, and asks B if he is Japanese.
k. B replies, and asks A if he is an Englishman.
5. A replies, and asks B what C's name is.
6. B replies, adding that C is Chinese.
Vocabulary Checklist for Lesson 2
1. a
2. dou
3. ga
k. Gam
5. -ge
ss:
Adv:
ss:
sp:
bf :
6. gwaising? Ph:
7. Gwongdung pw:
8. Gwongdungyahn [go] n:
9. Junggwokyahn n:
10. keuih Pro:
11. keuihdeih Pro:
12. matyeh? QW:
sen. suf . , to soften abruptness
also
sen. suf., fusion of ge + a = ga
'Well then, . ..' 'Say,...' sen. prefix
resuming the thread of previous discussion
noun-forming boundword; -ge added to a Verb
Phrase makes it a Noun Phrase
what is (your) surname? [polite]
Kwangtung, a province in 3E China
Cantonese person, person from Kwangtung
Province
Chinese person
he, him, his
they, them, their
what?
5^
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 2
13. Meihgwokyahn
n:
Ik. meyeh?
QW:
15. mlyeh?
QW:
16. ne
ss:
17. neih
Pro:
18. neihdeih
Pro:
19* ngohdeih
Pro:
20. pahngyauh [go]
n:
21. Seuhnghoi
pw:
22. Seuhnghoiyahn
n:
23. Slnsaang
n:
2k. slnsaang
n:
25. sluje
n:
26. slusing
Ph:
27. Toihsaan
bw:
28. Toihsaanyahn
n:
29. yahn
n:
30. Yahtbunyahn
n:
31. Yinggwokyahn
n:
American
what?
what?
sen. suf. for questions
you, your
you, your (plu.)
we , our , us
friend
Shanghai
person from Shanghai
"Sir," term of direct address
man
•Miss,' Madame, term of direct address
my surname is (polite)
Toishan, a county in southern Kwangtung
about 100 miles west of Hong Kong.
person from Toishan
person
Japanese person
Englishman, person from England
55
LESSON 5
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
CLASSROOM PHRASES
Learn to respond to the following classroom instructions. First look
at the English equivalents as the teacher reads the Cantonese instructions.
Then close your books and listen to the teacher and watch his gestures to
help yon understand. Check your book if you have difficulty. The teacher
will say each sentence several times to help you become familiar with the
instructions. Your goal is to be able to respond to the Cantonese with-
out doing mental translations into English. Knowing the scope of what
to expect will make the details stand out clearly*
1. Ngoh jldou bingo, bingo jauh 1. I'll point to someone, and that
gong. person should speak.
Yihga ngoh dunk, neihdeih 2. Now I'll read aloud and yon (plu.)
first listen.
5. Now don't look at your books, and
recite after me.
Do (the problems) according to
the pattern set in the example
sentence.
5. Now we'll look at the first
exercise.
6. Now we'll look at the first
sentence.
7. Are there any questions? OR
Do you have any questions?
2.
5.
6.
7.
sin ting.
Yihga neihdeih mhhou tai
syu, ganjyuh ngoh duhk.
Yihga neihdeih ganjyuh laih-
geui gam Jouh.
Yihga ngShdeih tai daih yat
go lihnjaahp.
Yihga ngohdeih tai daih yat
geui.
Yauh mouh mahntaih?
8.
9.
Responses:
Yauh.
Mouh.
Nihng tau.
Ngahp tau.
Have. (i.e., Yes, I have a
question)
Don't have, (i.e., No, I don't
have any questions.)
8. Shake the head.
9. Nod the head.
56
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LSSSON 3
I. BASIC CONVERSATION
A. Buildup :
(Three colleagues, returning from lunch, are waiting
for the elevator in their office building. Next to
them two other businessmen are engaged in conversations)
Wohng Slu.je
wa
meyeh wa a?
gong
gong meyeh wa a?
Keuihdeih gong meyeh wa a?
ji or jidou
ji mhji a?
Neih ji mhji keuihdeih
gong meyeh wa a?
Qwokyuh
gong Qwokyuh
Haih mhhaih gong Qwokyuh a?
Chahn Saang
Ahhaih.
Seuhnghoiwi
Keuihdeih gong Seuhnghoiwi.
Jeung Stuje
elk
slk gong Seuhnghoiwi
Neih slk gong Seuhnghoiwi me?
Chahn Saang
sesla
language
what language?
speak
speak what language?
What language are they
speaking?
know
know/not know?
Bo yon know what language
they are speaking?
Mandarin
speak Mandarin
Are they speaking Mandarin?
(They) are not.
Shanghai dialect
They're speaking the Shanghai
dialect.
know (how)
know how to speak Shanghai
dialect, be able to speak
Shanghai dialect,
sentence snf., indicating
surprised question
Tou can speak Shanghai
dialect?!
a little, somewhat
57
LESSOK 5
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Slk aeaiu j5.
Wohng alula
tuhng
Seuhnghoiwi tuhng Gwokyuh
dou
keuih dou alk gong
Seuhnghoiwi tuhng Gwokyuh
keuih dou slk gong
ga
Seuhnghoiwi tuhng Qwokyuh keuih
dou alk gong ga.
Jeung Slujo
Yingaan or Tingaahn
aim, neih alk mhaik Tingaan a?
Chahn Siang
alk gong sesiu
ae
ahslk ae
daahnhaih ahalk ae
Slk gong aeaiu, daahnhaih ahalk
aa.
Jeung Sluje
hohk
aaung
aaung hohk
aeung hohk Yingaan
dl
aaung hohk dl Yingaan
58
sentence suf., indicating
•merely', 'only', 'that' a
all'
I know a little, that' a all.
and
Shanghai dialect and
Mandarin
both
he apeaka both
he speaks both Shanghai
dialect and Mandarin,
sen. suf. for matter of
fact assertion.
He speaks both Shanghai dialect
and Mandarin.
English language
Well, do you know English?
can speak a little
write
can' t write
but
but can't write
I can apeak a little, but I
can't write.
study, learn
wiah to, want to, would
like to
would like to learn
would like to learn Engliah
a little, aoae
would like to learn a
little Engliah
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
L2SS ON 3
NgSh sating hehk dl Yingaan—
dia a?
dim gong a?
Yingaan, dia gong a?
yat yih aaaa sei ngh
Yat yih aaam aei ngh, Yingaan
dia gong a?
Chahn Saang
One two three four fire*
Jeung Siuje
chlngoho
ahchingcho
Ngeh ting ahchingcho.
yat chi
gong yat chi
joi
joi gong yat chi
ahgoi neih
fthgoi neih joi gong yat chi.
B. Recapitulation :
Wohng Sinje ;
Neih ji ahji keuihdeih gong meyeh
wa a? Haih ahhaih gong Gwokyfih a?
Chahn Saang »
Ahhaih. Keuihdeih gong Seuhnghoi-
*
wa.
Jeung Slu.le i
Neih alk gong Seuhnghoiwa ae?
Chahn Saang :
Slk aeaiu jS.
I'd like to learn a little
Engliah—
how?
how (do you) say?
how is it said in English?
one two three four five
How do you say 'one two three
four five' in English?
One two three four fire.
clear
not clear
I didn't hear clearly,
one tim«, once
say (it) one tiae
again
say (it) once again
Would you please ...
Would you please say it once
again?
What language are they speaking?
Are they speaking Mandarin?
(They) are not. They're
speaking the Shanghai
dialect.
You can speak the Shanghai
dialect?
I know a little, that's all.
59
LESSON 5 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Wohfig Sin Jo:
Seuhnghoiwa tuhng Qwokyuh He speaks both Shanghai dialect
keuih dou slk gong ga. and Mandarin.
Jeung Sluje :
Gam, aeih slk ihslk Tingaan a? Well, do you know English?
Chahn Saang ;
Slk gong sesiu, daahnhaih ihslk I can speak a little, but 1
ae. can't write.
Jeung Slnje :
Wgoh seung honk dl Tingaan— I'd like to learn a little
Tat yih siaa aei ngh, Tingaan English— How do you say
dia gong a? 'one two three four fire'
in English?
Chahn Saang :
One two three four fire. One two three four fire.
Jenng Sluje :
Ngoh teng ihchingcho. fthgdi I didn't hear clearly. Would
neih joi gong yat chi. you please say it once again.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Pronunciation
1* Open rowels before nasal consonants:
Practice the open rowel before a nasal final in the syllables of
that structure you hare had thus far in the text. Hold your nose,
listen, and repeat:
-a: gaai^gaa , a&au^'f saaa .
-ns TahtbunB^* Yah t bun ,
Chahn t^- Chahn , jousahirf %- jousihn .
-ng: seung f§, seung , Jeung Jeung ,
gongijd gong , slnsaang^-slnsaang ,
sing-ti sing , gwaising^tgwaising .
2. Nasalized rowel following nasal consonant »
Vowels following nasal consonants in the same syllable are
nasalized in Cantonese, whereas in English a rowel following a nasal
consonant in the saae syllable is open.
Listen to your teacher as he holds his nose and says:
ngoh
60
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE L3SS0N 3
neih
ne ^Cj
Hah &
lingman jL
You notice that the rowels are partially blocked when the nose
is blocked, revealing that some air is normally released through the
nose. Repeat the above words after your teacher, holding your nose
to test if you are nasalizing the vowel.
If you can' t quite say these right your pronunciation will sound
foreign accented, but it won't sake any significant different because
what you say won't have some other meaning, as it might if you got
the tone wrong.
3. eung practioe:
1. seung seung seung
2. Jeung Jeung Jeung
If. eui practice: (Remember that the ^1 here represents the lip-rounded
yu sound.)
1. keuih keuih keuih
2. deuimhjyuh deui deui
5. eni/ oi contrast practice:
1.
deui
deui
deui
2.
Joi
Joi
Joi
3.
deui
Joi
, deui
Joi
, deui
Joi
•
I*.
Joi
deui
, joi
deui
, Joi
deui
•
6. ok, as in hohk, Junggwok
-k : k in final position is produced by the back of the tongue
pressing against the roof of the south, stopping the air flow at the
junction of the hard and soft palates. In final position k is un-
released — Ck" 1 ].
o: o before k has the same value as o elsewhere — mid back
rounded vowel: [o].
Listen and repeat:
1. hohk '*£"(5 times)
2. Junggwok 5 times)
3. ngoh hohk <^ , ng&h hohk , ngoh hohk .
*f. Joi hohk joi hohk , joi hohk
61
LESSOR 3
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
5. hohk gong , hohk gong , hohk gong .
ng as in ngh
The velar nasal consonant ng occurs as a vowel, in that the con-
sonant ng is syllabic in the syllable ngh . (There are also two sur-
names using the syllable ng.)
Listen and repeat:
& 3u 1. seung seung , ngh ngh .
■ffc 3u 2. ngoh ngoh , ngh ngh .
— ^_i-xC?3. 3. yit yih saam sei ngh
. NOTES
A. Culture Notes ;
1. Chinese languages
GwSngdungwa : The language spoken in the area roughly coinciding
with Kwangtung Province in SE China is called GwSng-
dungwa 'Kwangtung - speech.' In English it is referred
to as 'Cantonese,' named after the major city in
which it was spoken when Westerners arrived in China
and began to learn it.
There are many dialects of Gwongdungwa , of which
the recognized standard is the language of Canton and
Hong Kong. This book will not concern itself with the
many dialects, but will concentrate solely on Stand-
ard Cantonese. (The dialect of Cantonese spoken by
most American Chinese is Toihsaanwa . spoken in
Toishan county in Southern Kwangtung, from whence
most American Chinese emigrated.)
Gwokyuh : [national -language] called in English 'Mandarin,' is
the native language of the greater part of north and
northwest China. Mandarin has been promoted as the
national language by both the Communist Chinese and
the Nationalists and is the language of instruction
in the school systems of both China and Taiwan.
Seuhnghoiwa: 'Shanghai dialect' spoken in the area around Shanghai
on the East Coast of China.
62
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
L2SS0N 3
2. Dialect differences in Standard Cantonese: initial n 1
In Standard Cantonese as spoken in Hong Kong there exist
variations in pronunciation which cannot be called substandard,
since they are used by educated persons. One such variation
is to substitute an 1 sound for an n sound in words and syllables
which begin with n. Some educated speakers do not have initial
n in their speech, and substitute 1 wherever n occurs. This is
quite common in Hong Kong.
Ex: neih 1 > leih 'you (sing.)'
neihdeih > leihdeih 'you (plu.)'
B. Structure Notes :
1. Uninflected verb forms in Cantonese :
Verbs in English have compulsory differences in form (inflec-
tions) to represent action in progress (is eating), intended
action (going to eat), past action (ate), general statement (eats),
and others.
Broadly speaking, Cantonese verbs do not have the same com-
pulsory differences in form. One form may cover action in progress,
intended action, past action, general statement. For example:
Keuih gaau Gwongdiingwa can mean: He is teaching Cantonese, He
taught Cantonese, He teaches Cantonese.
(See Drill 1. 6 )
Additional elements may be used by the speaker to particularize
action in progress, repeated action, accomplished action, etc.,
but their use is not the compulsory feature of the language that
it is in English.
2. Verbs in series : affirmative, negative, and question forms.
1. When two verbs occur together in series, it is the first verb
which forms a set with the negative and the choice-type
question.
Example: Keuih slk gong Gwokyuh. He can speak Mandarin.
Keuih mhslk gong Gwokyuh. He can't speak Mandarin.
Keuih slk mhslk gong Can he speak Mandarin?
Gwokyuh a?
63
LBSSOH 3 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
2. haih is frequently used in series with action verbs in the
negative and in choice questions, but not normally in the
affirmative or in question-word questions.
(QWQ): Keuihdeih gong raeyeh What language are they
wa. a? speaking?
(CHQ): Haih mhhaih gong Are they speaking Mandarin?
Gwokyuh a?
(Neg): Mhhaih gong Gwokyuh — (They're) not speaking
Mandarin —
(Aff): Keuihdeih gong Seuhng- They're speaking Shanghai
hoiwa. dialect.
(See BC)
3. Sentence suffix me
me is an interrogative sentence suffix indicating surprised
question, me makes a question sentence of the statement sentence
it attaches to, with the force of "What?! I can hardly believe
it!"
Ex: Neih sik gong Seuhnghoiwa me?l What? I You can speak Shang-
hai dialect?!
(See BC and Drill 2 )
k. Sentence suffix j e.
je has the force of "merely," "only," "that's all." Alternate
pronunciations are ja, or j» .
Ex: Sik gong sesiu je. I can speak just a bit,
that's all.
5. Sentence suffix ga
1. Sentence suffix gji (usually pronounced [ka] , similar to the gu
sound in the English word "Gus") attaches to a sentence,
giving a matter-of-fact connotation to the sentiment expressed,
Ex. (from Basic Conversation):
Seuhnghoiwa tuhng Gwokyuh Shanghai dialect and Manda-
v ' j- t, » rin , he can speak both,
Keuih dou sik gong ga. & ^
The implication is that there's nothing extraordinary about
it, that's simply the way it is.
6^
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LZSSON 3
2. Matter-of-fact ga and NP forming ge .
These two are sometimes difficult to differentiate. A test
is that a NP ge sentence either uses the verb haih or can be
expanded with haih , but a matter-of-fact ga sentence can' t
always be expanded with haih.
Ex: 1. Keuih haih gaau Ying-
man ge.
(See Drill 18)
2. Keuih (haih) sing
Wohng ge.
3. Seuhnghoiwa tiihng
Gwokyuh keuih dou slk
gong ga.
6. Loose relationship of Sub.ject-Predicate in Cantonese : Subject +
Predicate as Topic + Comment.
We described full sentences above in Lesson One as being
composed of Subject and Predicate, in that order.
Below are examples of Subject-Predicate sentences:
He is someone who teaches
English.
He is someone named Wong.
Shanghai dialect and Manda-
rin, he can speak both,
that's a fact.
Subject
1. Ngoh
2. Keuih
3. Neih pahngyauh
k. Siuje
5. Yingman
6. Yat yih saam
7. Seuhnghoiwa
tuhng Gwokyuh
8. Neih ji mhji
Predicate
sing Chahn.
slk gong Seuhnghoiwa me? I
gong meyeh wa a?
gwaising a?
dim gong?
Yingman dim gong a?
keuih dou slk gong ga.
keuihdeih gong meyeh wa a?
You will note from the sentences above that Subject in
Cantonese does not cover the same territory that Subject in English
does. For example, Sentence No. 7 above might be rendered in
English: "Shanghai dialect and Mandarin — he can speak both."
The subject of that sentence is "he." If you were to say "Shanghai
dialect and Mandarin are both spoken by him," the subject would
be "Shanghai dialect and Mandarin." In English the subject of
65
LESSON 3 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
the sentence is that which governs the verb. But in Cantonese the
subject doesn't govern the verb — there is no subject-verb concord
(He speaks, They speak, It is spoken), and the ground rules are
different. In Cantonese the subject comes first in a sentence,
and is what is being talked about; the predicate follows, and is
what is said about the subject. The subject is thus the topic
of the sentence, and the predicate is the comment . In Seuhnghoiwa
tuhng Gwokyuh keuih dou sik gong ga . the subject, or topic, —
what is bein>* talked about — is Seuhnghoiwa tuhng Gwokyuh "Shanghai
dialect and Mandarin," the predicate or comment, — what is said
about the topic — is " keuih dou sik gong ga ," "he knows how to
speak both."
In Sentence No. 5 above, Yingman dim gong a ? the topic is
Yingman , "English," and the comment dim gong a ? "how say?" Ex-
tended, in Sentence No. 6, to "Yat yih saam Yingman dim gong a?"
the subject, or topic, is Yat yih saam , the predicate, or comment,
is Yingman dim gong a ?
The relationship of Subject and Predicate in Cantonese is
looser than that of Subject and Predicate in English. In English
Subject and Predicate are tied together by the verb of the pre-
dicate being governed by the status of the Subject. In Cantonese
Subject and Predicate are bound together by simple juxtaposition.
7. Types of Predicates
a. Verbal Predicate . The most common predicate is the verbal
predicate, consisting of a verb phrase (VP). A Verb Phrase
consists of a verb alone, a verb and preceding modifier(s), or
a verb and its following object(s) , or a combination of these.
b. Nominal Predicate . Another type of predicate is the nominal
predicate, consisting of a nominal expression. Examples are:
Ex: Subject Predicate
Ngoh
Ngoh
Keuih
( modifier) Verb (Object )
jidou. I know,
inh ji. I don't know.
gong Gwokyuh. He's speaking Mandarin.
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 3
Subject Predicate
Nominal Expression
Siusing Hon. My name (is) Ho.
Siuje gwaising a? Miss your name?
c. Sentence Predicate . The predicate can be in itself a full
Subject-Predicate sentence.
Ex: Subject Predicate
NgSh mhji keuihdeih gong I don't know what
miyeh wa? language they are
speaking.
Yat yih saam Yingman dim gong a? How do you say, one
two three in
English?
Yat yih saam keuih dou mhslk He can't even say one
gong. two three.
8. Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) Sentence .
A Subject-Predicate sentence in which the predicate contains
a verb and its object is a very frequent sentence type in Cantonese.
iVe take Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) as the base form of the Cantonese
sentence.
Ex: Subject: Predicate:
subject verb object
Keuihdeih gong Seuhnghoiwa,
9. Absence of pronoun object .
Compare Cantonese and English:
1A. Neih slk mhslk Yingman a? 1A. Do you know English?
B. Ngoh slk gong, mhslk se. B. I can speak (it), can't
write (it).
2. Hhgoi neih joi gong yat chi. 2. Please say (it) once again.
Note that English requires a pronoun object, and Cantonese
does not.
10. Subjectless sentence . The predicate sentence with no subject 1b
a very common sentence type in Chinese.
Ex: Slk seslu je. = (I) know just a little.
Note that the counterpart English sentence requires stated
subject. (We are referring here to statement sentences ('I study'),
not to imperative sentences ('study!'), which we will take up in
Lesson 5.)
LESSON 3 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
11. tuhng and yauh
1. tuhng, 'and,' links nominal expressions.
Seuhnghoiwa tuhng Gwokyuh keuih dou slk gong ga.
He knows how to speak both Shanghai dialect and Mandarin.
(See Drills 10, 11 )
2. yauh , 'and,' links verbal expressions. It is classed as an
adverb because it is always linked to a verb, preceding it.
Keuih slk gong yauh Blk se.
He can speak and write.
(See Drill 9 )
3. yauh can be in a set with a second yauh, with the force of
'both... and
Keuih yauh slk gong yauh slk se .
He can both speak and write.
(See Drill 9 )
12. dou 'also,' 'both,' 'all'; 'even'
dou is classed as an adverb, because it appears always linked
to a verb, preceding it.
Ex: 1. Ngoh dou haih Seuhng- I am also a Shanghai
hoiyahn. person.
2. Keuih dou slk gong He also can speak
Gwokyuh. Mandarin.
3. Seuhnghoiwa tuhng He can speak both Shanghai
Gwokyuh keuih dialect and Mandarin.
dou sik gong ga.
13. dou , 'even'
In the Subject-Predicate pattern X dou negative Verb , dou
translates into English as 'even'.
Ex: Yat_yih saam (keuih) (He) can't even say 'one
dou mhsik gong . two three.'
(See Drill Ik )
Ik, Auxiliary verbs .
Auxiliary verbs take other verbs as their objects. Two
auxiliary verbs appear in Lesson Three: sik . 'know (how),' and
seung 'want to, plan to, be considering, have (it) in mind to ...'
Ex: 1. Neih slk gong Seuhnghoiwa me?t
You know how to speak Shanghai dialect? I
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON 3
2. Ngoh seung hohk di Yingman.
I want to learn a little English.
(See BC and Drill 2, 3, 7)
15. slk 'know (how),' 'be acquainted with'; 'know (someone)'
slk operates both as an auxiliary verb and as a main verb.
1. As an auxiliary verb:
Ex: Keuih slk gong Gwokyuh. He can speak Mandarin.
(See Drill 2 )
2. As a main verb:
Ex: 1. Keuih mhslk Seuhnghoiwa. He is unacquainted with
Shanghai dialect.
(See Drill 2a )
2. Ngoh mhslk keuih. I don't know him.
(See Drill 13 )
III. DRILLS
1. Transformation Drill: Transform the sentences from question to
statement , following the pattern of the example.
Ex: T: Keuih gong meyeh T: What language is he speaking?
+ wa a? /Gwongdungwa/ /Cantonese/
(Cantonese)
S: Keuih gong Gwong-
dungwa.
1. Keuih gong meyeh wa. a?
/S e uh ngh o i wa/
2. Keuih gong meyeh wa a?
3. Keuih gong meyeh wa a?
Yingmahn/
+ Keuih gong meyeh wa a?
/Yahtbunwa/
( Japanese spoken language )
5. Keuih gong meyeh wa a?
/Gwongdungwa/
He's speaking Cantonese.
1. Keuih gong Seuhnghoiwa.
2. Keuih gong Gwokyuh.
3. Keuih gong Yingmahn.
Keuih gong Yahtbunwa.
He's speaking Japanese,
5. Keuih gong Gwongdungwa.
Comment: The examples in this drill could also serve as
general statements:
T: What l-inguage(s) does he speak?
S: He speaks Cantonese.
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LESSON ?
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
2. Substitution Drill
Ex: T: Keuihdeih slk gong T:
Gwongdungwa.
/Seuhnghoiwa/
S: Keuihdeih slk gong 5:
Seuhnghoiwa.
1. Keuih^ slk^gong Yingmahn.
/Gwongdungwa/
2. .Yohng Saang sik gong
Gwongdungwa.
3. Hoh Taai slk gong Gwokyuh
/Seuhnghoiwa/
k. Hoh Sinsaang sik gong
Seuhnghoiwa. /Yingman/
5. Chahn Siuje sik gong Yingman.
/Yahtbunwa/
a. Repeat, omitting gong :
T: Keuihdeih slk Gwong-
dungwa. /Seuhng-
hoiwa/
S: Keuihdeih slk
Seuhnghoiwa.
b. Repeat, adding me :
T: Keuihdeih slk gong
Gwongdungwa.
S: Keuihdeih slk gong
Gwongdungwa mel?
They can speak Cantonese.
/Shanghai dialect/
They can speak Shanghai
dialect.
1. Keuih sik gong Gwongdungwa.
2. iVohng Saang sik gong
Gwokyuh.
3. Hoh^Taai sik gong Seuhng-
hoiwa.
Hoh Sinsaang sik gong
Yingman.
5. Chahn Siuje sik gong
Yahtbunwa.
They know Cantonese.
/Shanghai dialect/
They know Shanghai dialect.
They know Cantonese.
They know Cantonese?!?
3. Transformation Drill
Ex: T: Meihgwokyahn mhsik
gong Gwongdungwa.
S: Meihgwokyahn sik
mhsik gong Gwong-
dungwa a?
1. Keuih mhsik gong Yingman.
2. Hoh Siuie sik gong Seuhng-
hoiwa.
Americans can't speak Cantonese.
Can Americans speak Cantonese?
1. Keuih slk mhsik gong Ying-
man a?
2. Hoh Siuje sik mhsik gong
Seuhnghoiwa a?
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON 3
3. Keuihdeih slk gong Gwokyuh.
+ Meihgwokyahn mhsik se
Jungmahn .
Americans can' t write
Chinese ,
+ 5- Keuih slk gaau Yahtbunwa.
He knows how to teach
spoken Japanese.
3. Keuihdeih sik mhslk gong
Gwokyuh a?
*t. Meihgwokyahn slk mhslk se
Jungmahn a?
Do Americans know how to
write Chinese.
5. Keuih sik mhslk gaau Yaht-
bunwa a?
k. Response Drill
Ex: T: Keuih hohk Gwong-
dungwa.
/Seuhnghoiwa/
S: Gam, keuih hohk
mhhohk Seuhnghoiwa
a?
He studies Cantonese.
/Shanghai dialect/
Well, then, does he study
Shanghai dialect?
1. Keuih sik Yingman. /Jungmahn/ 1. Gam, keuih sik mhsik Jungman
2. Keuih gaau Gwongdungwa.
/Gwokyuh/
3. Keuih sik gong Gwokyuh.
/Seuhnghoiwa/
k. Keuih slk se Jungmahn.
/Yingman/
5. Keuih sik gaau Yingman.
/GwSngdungwa/
2. Ganij keuih gaau mhgaau Gwok-
yuh a?
3. Gam, keuih sik mhsik gong
Seuhnghoiwa a?
k. Gam, keuih sik mhsik se
Yingmahn a?
5. Gam, keuih slk mhsik gaau
Gwongdungwa a?
Comment: gam is a sentence prefix with the connotation of
continuing from before, resuming the thread of pre-
vious discourse. The closet English approximations
would be 'In that case,...', 'Then,...'. '.Veil,
then,...' but these don't always fit. Gam is very
frequent in Cantonese, but if translated in counter-
part English sentences is not usually idiomatic. We
will usually not translate gam in the English
sentences. In the above examples gam is translated
as ''(Jell, then,* suggesting continuation from the
previous statement.
5. Transformation Drill
Ex: T: Wohng Saang hohk T: Mr. Wong is studying Cantonese.
Gwongdungwa.
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LESSON 3
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
S: flohng Saang haih
mhhaih hohk
Gwongdungwa a?
1. Leih Taai gaau Gwokyuh.
2. Hoh Saang gong Yingman.
3. Chahn Siuje se Jungraahn.
k. Jeung Saang sik gong
Yahtbunwa.
5. Lauh Taai sik gaau Gwong-
dungwa .
S: Is Mr. Wong studying Cantonese?
1. Leih Taai haih mhhaih gaau
Gwokyuh a?
2. Hoh Saang haih mhhaih gong
Yingman a?
3. Chahn Siuje haih mhhaih se
Jungmahn a?
k. Jeung Saang haih mhhaih sik
gong Yahtbunwa a?
5. Lauh Taai haih mhhaih sik
gaau Gwongdungwa a?
6. Question and Answer Drill
Ex: T: Wohng Saang se
Yingmahn.
♦ / YahtmahnA or)
Yahtman/
Mr. Wong is writing English
(right now). / Japanese/
S^: Wohng Saang haih
mhhaih se Yahtman a?
S 2 : Mhhaih. Keuih mhhaih
se Yahtman; keuih
se Yingmahn.
1. Jeung Taai gong Gwokyuh.
/Seuhnghoiwa/
Is Mr. Wong writing Japanese?
No, he's not writing Japanese,
he's writing English.
1. Sj_: Jeung Taai haih mhhaih
gong Seuhnghoiwa a?
S>2- Mhhaih. Keuih mhhaih
gong Seuhnghoiwa j
keuih gong Gwokyuh.
2. Si! Wohng Taai haih mhhaih
gaau Yingmahn a?
S2: Mhhaih. Keuih mhhaih
gaau Yingmahn; keuih
gaau Gwongdungwa.
3. S]_: Leih Saang haih mhhaih
hohk Yahtbunwa a?
S2: Mhhaih. Keuih mhhaih
hohk Yahtbunwa; keuih
hohk Yingmahn.
Comment: The above sentence may also be translated 'He writes'
instead of 'He is writing,' etc. For example:
ae Yingmahn , 'writes English' — not knows how to,
2. Wohng Taai gaau Gwongdungwa.
/Yingmahn/
3. Leih Saang hohk Yingmahn.
/Yahtbunwa/
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 3
but does it as a habit, custom or general rule. For
instance, He writes English at the office. Likewise
for sentences with main verb hohk , gaau, and gong .
The situational context, not the structural form
of the Cantonese verb, makes the meaning clear.
7. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Ngoh sik gong^Gwokyuh .
/S e uhngh o i wa/
S : Ngoh sik gong Gwokyuh ,
daahnhaih mhsik gong
Seuhnghoiwa.
1. Ngoh sik gong Gwongdungwa.
/Seuhnghoiwa/
2. Keuih sik gong Yingman.
/Gwokyuh/
+ J. Keuihdeih sik gong Toihsaanwa .
They can speak Toishan
dialect . /Yingman/
h. Hoh Taai sik gong Gwokyuh.
/Gwongdungwa/
5. Chahn Taai sik gong Yingman.
/Yahtbunwa/
I can speak Mandarin.
/Shanghai dialect/
I can speak Mandarin, but not
the Shanghai dialect.
1. Ngoh sik gong Gwongdungwa,
daahnhaih mhsik gong
Seuhnghoiwa.
2. Keuih sik gong Yingman,
daahnhaih mhsik gong
Gwokyuh.
3. Keuihdeih sik gong Toihsaan-
wa, daahnhaih mhsik gong
Yingman.
h. Hoh Taai sik gong Gwokyuh,
daahnhaih mhsik gong
Gwongdungwa.
5. Chahn Taai sik gong Ying-
man, daahnhaih mhsik gong
Yahtbunwa.
Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Ngoh sik gong Ying-^
mahn. /Gwongdungwa/
S: Ngoh sik gong Yingmahn;
dou sik gong Gwong-
dungwa.
1. Ngoh sik gong Gwongdungwa.
/Seuhnghoiwa/
2. Keuih sik Gwokyuh. /Yingman/
J. Leih Saang sik gong Seuhng-
hoiwa. /Gwokyuh/
I can speak English. /Cantonese/
I can speak English; (and I)
can also speak Cantonese.
1. Ngoh sik gong Gwongdungwa'
dou sik gong Seuhnghoiwa.
2. Keuih sik gong Gwokyuh;
dou sik gong Yingman.
3. Leih Saang sik gong Seuhng-
hoiwa; dou sik gong Gwokyuh.
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LESSON 3 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
h. Chahn Taai slk gong Yingman. k. Chahn Taai sik gong Ying-
/Gwongdungwa/ man; dou sik gong Gwong-
dungwa.
5. Hoh Siuje slk^gong Seuhnghoiwa. 5. Hoh^Siuje sik gong Seuhng-
/Gwongdiingwa/ hoiwa; dou sik gong Gwong-
dungwa.
9. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Keuih sik gong Gwong-
dungwa. /Gwokyuh/
+ S: Keuih ( yauh ) ^ sik gong
Gwongdungwa, yauh
sik gong Gwokyuh.
[(both) ... and ...]
He can speak Cantonese.
/Mandarin/
He can speak Cantonese and
Mandarin. or
He can speak both Cantonese
and Mandarin.
1. Keuih hohk Yahtmahn. /Yingman/ 1. Keuih yauh hohk Yahtman,
yauh hohk Yingman.
He's studying written
Japanese and English.
2. Ngoh gaau Jungmahn. /Yingman/ 2. Ngoh yauh gaau Jungman,
yauh gaau Yingman.
3. Keuih sik se Yingmahn.
/Yahtmahn/
k. Keuih mhhaih Meihgwokyahn.
/Yinggwokyahn/
5. Ngoh mhhohk gong Gwokyuh.
/Seuhnghoiwa/
3. Keuih yauh sik se Yingmahn,
yauh sik se Yahtmahn.
k. Keuih yauh mhhaih Meihgwok-
yahn, yauh mhhaih Ying-
gwokyahn.
5. Ngoh yauh mhhohk gong Gwok-
yuh, yauh mhhohk gong
Seuhnghoiwa.
10. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Leih Saang haih Seuhng- Mr. Lee is from Shanghai
hoiyahn. /Leih Taai/ /Mrs. Lee/
S: Leih Saang tuhng Leih
Taai dou haih Seuhng
hoiyahn.
Mr. [Lee] and Mrs. Lee are
both from Shanghai.
1. Sfohng Taai sik gong Gwokyuh.
/Chahn Siuje/
1. Wohng Taai tuhng Chahn Siuje
dou sik gong Gwokyuh.
2. Keuih sik Wohng Saang. /ngoh/ 2. Keuih tuhng ngoh dou sik
Wohng Saang.
7h
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE lesson 3
3. Jeunj Siuje hohk Gwongdungwa.
/keuih pahngyauh/
k. Ngoh haih sing Jeung ge.
/keuih/
5. Hon Taai slk se Yahtmahn.
/Chahn Siuje/
3. Jeung Siuje tuhng keuih
pahngyauh dou hohk Gwong-
dungwa,
k. Ngoh tuhng keuih dou haih
sing Jeung ge.
5. Hon Taai tuhng Chahn Siuje
dou slk se Yahtmahn.
11. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Keuih slk gong Gwokyuh.
/Gwongdungwa/
S: Keuih slk §ong Gwokyuh
tuhng Gwongdungwa.
1. Keuih hohk Yingman. /Yahtman/
2. Keuihdeih gaau Jungmahn.
/Yingman/
3. Leih Taai slk se Yahtmahn.
/Jung man/
+ k. Ngoh slk Leih Saang. /Leih
Taai/ ( know (someone ) )
He can speak Mande.rin. /Canton-
ese/
He can speak Mandarin and
Cantonese.
1. Keuih hohk Yingman tuhng
Yahtman.
2. Keuihdeih gaau Jungmahn
tuhng Yingman.
3. Leih Taai sik se Yahtman
tuhng Jungmahn.
k. Ngoh slk Leih Saang tuhng
Leih Taai.
I know Mr. and Mrs Lee.
12. Substitution Drill
+ Ex: T: Bin^o gaau Gwong-
dungwa a?
/Leih Saang/
S : Leih Saang gaau Gwong-
dungwa.
1. Bingo gong SeuhnghSiwa a?
/Hoh Taai/
2. Bingo hohk Gwokyuh a?
/WShng Saang/
3. Bingo gaau Yingmahn a?
/Chahn Siuje/
k. Bingo 31k gong Yahtbunwa a?
/Jeung Saang/
Who teaches Cantonese?
Mr. Lee teaches Cantonese.
1. Hoh Taai gong SeuhnghSiwa.
2. Wohng Saang hohk Gwokyuh.
3. Chahn Siuje gaau Yingmahn.
h. Jeung Saang sik gong Yaht-
bunwa.
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LESSON 3 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
5. Bingo slk gaau Gwongdungwa 5. Leih Taai slk gaau GwSng-
a? /Leih Taai/ dungwa.
13. Response & Expansion Drill
Ex: l.T: Neih slk mhsik T: Do you know Mr. Wong?
'.Voting Saang a?
/nod/
S: Ngoh sik keuih. S: Yes, he is a friend of mine.
Keuih haih ngoh
pahngyauh.
2.T: Neih slk mhsik T: Do you know Mr. .Vong?
Wohng Saang a?
/shake/
S: Ngoh mhsik keuih, S: No, who is he?
Keuih haih bingo
a?
1. Neih sik mhsik Hon Taai a? 1. Ngoh^sik keuih. Keuih haih
/nod/ ngoh pahngyauh.
2. Neih sik mhsik Chahn Saang a? 2. Ngoh inhslk keuih. Keuih haih
/shake/ bingo a?
3. Neih slk mhsik Jeung Siuje a? 3. Ngoh slk keuih. Keuih haih
/nod/ ngoh pahngyauh.
Neih slk ihslk Leih Saang a? k. Ngoh mhsik keuih. Keuih haih
/shake/ bingo a?
Ik. Response Drill
Sx: T: Neih sik ihslk gong T: Do you know how to speak
Yahtbunwa. a? Japanese? /shake/
/shake/
S: ffihslk. Yahtbunwa S: No. I don't even know one
+ ngoh yat geui dou sentence in Japanese,
mhsik gong.
T: /nod/
S: Sik sesiu ji. S: (I) know just a little.
1. Neih slk mhsik gong Gwong- 1. fthsik. Gwongdungwa ngoh
dungwa a? /shake/ yat geui dou mhsik gong.
2. Neih slk mhsik gong Gwokyuh a? 2. flhsik. Gwokyuh ngoh yat geui
/shake/ dou mhsik gong.
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 3
3. Neih elk mhslk gong Seuhng-
hoiwa a? /nod/
h. Neih slk mhslk gong Yingmahn a?
/nod/
5. Neih slk mhslk gong Yahtbunwa
a? /shake/
3. Slk sesiu je.
4. Slk sesiu je.
5. fthslk. Yahtbunwa ngoh yat
geui dou mhslk gong.
15. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Keuihdeih gong
meyeh wa a?
S: Neih ji mhji keuih- S
deih gong meyeh
wa a?
1. Keuih sing meyeh a?
"/hat is his name?
2. Keuih gaau meyeh wa a?
What language does he teach?
3. Keuih se meyeh a?
What is he writing?
k. Keuih haih bingo a?
Who is he?
5. Keuih haihmhhaih sing Hoh
ga?
Is her name Ho?
T: What language are they speaking?
Do you know what language
they're speaking?
1. Neih ji ihji keuih sing
meyeh a?
Do you know what his name
is?
2. Neih ji mhji keuih gaau
meyeh wa a?
3. Neih ji mhji keuih se miyeh
a?
k. Neih ji mhji keuih haih
bingo a?
5. Neih ji mhji keuih haih
mhhaih sing Hoh ga?
Do you know if her name
is Ho?
16. Translation Drill
Ex: T: "Pahngyauh" Yingman
dim gong a?
T: How do you say "friend" in
English
S: Friend.
S: Friend
1. "Hohk," Yingman dim gong a?
2. "Gaau," Yingman dim gong a?
3. "Daahnhaih," Yingman dim gong
a?
"Sesiu," Yingman dim gong a?
5. "Gwokyuh," Yingman dim gong a? 5. "Mandarinl"
77
1. "Learn".
2. "Teach!"
3. "But."
k. "A little!"
LESSON 5 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
6. "Jidou", Yingman dim gong a? 6. "Know" (something)."
7. "Slk", Yingman dim gong a? 7. "Know how to or know (a
person)
8. "Se", Yingman dim gong a? 8. "Write."
9. "Hohksaang, "Yingman dim 9. "Student."
gong a?
17. Translation Drill
Ex: T: "Two" Gwongdungwa T: How do you say "two" in
dim gong a? Cantonese?
S: "Yin". S:
"Yin".
-L •
II T'Vi 1* a a H wavi ^ A n nio /I t m
gong a?
1.
"Saam. "
2.
"Teach" Gwongdungwa dim gong
a?
2.
"Gaau."
3.
"They" Gwongdungwa dim gong a?
3.
"Keuihdeih."
h.
"Who" Gwongdungwa dim gong a?
"Bingo."
5.
"Know how" Gwongdungwa. dim
gong a?
"Slk."
6.
"But" Gwongdungwa dim gong a?
6.
"Daahnhaih."
7.
"Please say it^again" Gwong-
dungwa dim gong a?
7.
"fthgoi neih joi gong yat
chi."
8.
"I don't know" Gwongdungwa
dim gong a?
8.
"Ngoh mhji."
9.
"Teacher" Gwongdungwa dim
gong a?
9.
"Sinsaang."
10.
"Four" Gwongdungwa dim gong a?
10.
"Sei."
11.
"Five" Gwongdungwa dim gong
ll.
"figh."
18. Response Drill:
Ex: T: Keuih haih bingo a?
/gaau Yingman/
S: Keuih haih gaau
Yingman ge.
Who is he?
/teach English/
He's someone who teaches
English.
78
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON 3
1.
Keuih haih bingo a?
/aing Wohng/
1.
Keuih haih sing Wohng ge.
2.
Keuih haih bingo a?
/gaau Gwongdungwa/
2.
Keuih haih gaau Gwongdung-
wa ge.
J •
TCaiitVi Via 1 "h YiTnffrt n 4 ?
IYC Ulll LLCXd.ll UXIlgU CI t
/gaau Yingman/
xveuiii neij.11 gaau ixiignia.il ge •
k.
Keuih haih bingo a?
/hohk Gwokyuh/
4.
Keuih haih hohk Gwokyuh ge.
a. Repeat, teacher cueing with right hand column, students
responding with correspond haih mhhaih question sentence,
thus:
T: Keuih gaau ngoh Yingman ge.
S: Keuih haih mhhaih gaau neih Yingman ga?
IV. CONVERSATIONS FOR LISTENING
(On tape. Listen to tape with book closed.)
V. SAY IT IN CANTONESE:
A. Ask your neighbor: B.
1. if he can speak the
Shanghai dialect.
2. who teaches him to speak
Cantonese.
3. if Mrs. Wong teaches
Cantonese.
k. if his friend can speak
Cantonese.
5. how to say 'Good morning'
in Cantonese.
6. if he can write Chinese.
7. if Mr. Chan can speak the
Taishan dialect.
8. if Mr. Cheung can speak
Japanese and English.
And he answers:
1. that he can't, but that he can
speak Mandarin.
2. that Mr. Cheung does.
3. that she doesn't; she teaches
English.
k. that he can't say even one
sentence.
5. that he didn't hear you (hear
clearly) — would you repeat.
6. that he can't write it, but
can speak a little.
7. that he can speak Taishan
dialect and also can speak
Shanghai dialect.
8. Yes, he can speak both Japanese
and English.
79
LESSON 3 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
9. if he knows what language 9. they're speaking English,
they are speaking.
10. whether his student is 10. No, he's not an American, he's
American. an Englishman.
Vocabulary Checklist for Lesson 3
1.
bingo?
QW:
who?
2.
chi
m:
time, occasion
3.
chingcho
adj:
clear
k.
daahnhaih
cj:
but
5.
dl
m:
a little, some
6.
dim?
QW:
how?
7.
dou
adv:
both
8.
gaau
v:
teach
9.
ga/ge/g
ss:
sen. suf. for matter of fact assertion
10.
geui
m:
sentence
11.
gong
v:
speak
12.
Gwokyuh
n:
Mandarin spoken language
13.
Gwongdungwa
n:
Cantonese spoken language
Ik.
hohk
v:
study, learn
15.
je
ss:
sen. suf. only, merely; that's all
16.
ji(dou)
v:
know (something)
17.
joi
adv:
again
18.
Joi gong yatchi
Fh:
Say it again.
19.
Jungmahn
n:
Chinese (written) language
20.
me
ss:
sen. suf. for question indicating surprise
21.
fthgoi neih...
Ph:
Please..., Would you please....
sen. pre. preceding a request
22.
ngh
nu:
five
23.
saam
nu:
three
2k.
se
v:
write
25.
sesiu
Ph:
a little
26.
sei
nu:
four
27.
Seuhnghoiwa.
n:
Shanghai dialect (spoken language)
80
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LSSSON 3
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
^.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
^0.
*H.
^2.
k3.
seung
s Ik
elk
teng
Toihsaanwa
tuhng
wa
Yahtbunwa
Yah t man
Yahtmahn
yat
yat chi
yauh
yauh V, yauh
yih
Yingmahn
Yingman
aux v: wish to, want to, would like to, am con-
sidering, be of a mind to
v: to know someone
aux v/v: know how (to do something)
v: hear, listen
n: Toishan dialect
cj: and (connects nouns)
n: spoken language, dialect
n: Japanese (spoken) language
n: Japanese (written) language
n: Japanese (written) language
nu : one
Ph: once [one-time]
adv: also (connects Verb Phrases)
V. PAdv: both..., and ....
nu : two
n: English language
n: English language
81
LESSON k
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
CLASSROOM PHRASES
Learn to respond to the following classroom instructions. F irst
look at the English equivalents as the teacher reads the Cantonese
instructions. Then close your books and listen to the teacher and watch
his gestures to help you understand. Check your book if you have
difficulty. The teacher will say the sentences several times to help
you become familiar with them. Your goal is to be able to respond to
the Cantonese without needing to do mental translations into English.
1. Yihga neihdeih tii daih
1_ yihp.
2. Dahdi neih bun syu, daih
1_ yihp.
3. Yihga ngohdeih duhk daih Jf_
fo geibun wuihwa.
h. Yihga ngohdeih wanjaahp daih
3_ fo »
5. Kahmyaht gaaudou blndouh a?
6. Seuhng chi gaaudou blndouh a?
7. Kahmyaht gaaudou daih 2
yihp, daih 2 fo, daih
2 go, lihnjaahp, daih
2_ geui.
8. Dak meih?
Responses:
Dak laak.
Meih dak a. or Meih dak.
1. Now look at page 1 .
2. Open your book to page .
3. Now we'll read aloud Lesson k ,
Basic Conversation.
k. Now we'll review Lesson 3_.
5. Where did we get to [lit. teach to]
yesterday?
6. Where did we get to last time?
7. Yesterday we got to page 2 ,
Lesson
Drill
Sentence
8. Are you ready yet?
Ready.
Not ready yet.
82
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON k
I. BASIC CONVERSATION
A. Buildup :
Leih Baak-chiu appears at the door of Lauh 3wok-jung's
office. The two had planned to hare lunch together,
and Mr. Leih has come to get Mr. Lauh.
Leih :
dak aeih?
Baak-chiu, dak aeih?
Lauh :
aeih
Heih a.
diajung or dla
geidia or geidia jung?
Qeidia a?
Leih :
yihga
daahp yat
yat dia daahp yat
Tihga ... (he looks at his watch)
yat dia daahp yat*
Lauh;
ready?
Baak-chiu, are you ready?
not yet
Not yet*
hour, o'clock
what tiae?
What tiae is it?
now
five after the hour
fire after one
It's ...five after one*
wi?
Qeidia wi?
yat go jih
Tat dia yat go jih.
Leih:
Lauh:
J Sun
jeun ah j Sun a?
blu
go blu
neih go blu
Neih go blu jeun ihjeun ga?
sentence suffix 'what did
you say?'
What tiae did you say?
five ainutes
It's one oh five.
accurate
accurate/not accurate
wriatwatch, watch
a watch
your watch
Your watch aocurate one? (i.e.
Is your watch accurate?)
83
LESSOM k
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Loih
Chaihdo—
faai
la
faai sesiu la
la ■ la ♦ raiaad sentence
final intonation
waahaje
Waahkje faai sesiu la.
Lanh
fanjung
gel
gei fanjung
dang
dang gei fanjung
dang ngoh gei fanjung
joi dang ngoh gei fanjung
ti-
ll
Oaa, joi dang ngoh gei fanjung
tin la.
Leih
hou
Hon, ngoh dang neih la.
La ah
mhhou yisi
84
Approximately-
fast
sentence suffix indicating
change froa previous
condition: 'has become*.
gotten a bit fast
raised final intonation =
a sentence suffix indi-
cating casualness.
maybe, or
Maybe it's a little fast, or
Or a little fast.
ainute(s)
several
several minutes
wait
wait a few minutes
wait for me a few minutes
again wait for me a few
minutes
in addition, also, more
sentence suffix for
suggestion— polite
imperative.
Well, wait for me a few minutes
more, please.
OK, all right, fine
OK, I'll wait for you.
I'm sorry, or It's
embarrassing, (used in
apologizing for social
gnffe.)
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON k
bo
Ahhou yisi bo.
Ahganyiu.
Leih
B. Recapitulation ;
Leih
Baak-chiu, dak aeih?
Lauh
Meih a. Geidim a?
Leih
Yihga ... (ha looks at his
watch) ... yat dim daahp yat.
Lauh
Qeidlm wi?
Leih
Tat dim yat go jih.
Lauh
Neih go bin Jeun mhjeun ga?
Leih
Chimhdo — waahkje faai aesiu la.
Lauh
Oas, joi dang ngoh gei
fan Jung tin la.
Leih
Hou, ngoh dang neih la.
Lauh
fthhou yisi bo.
Leih
Ahganyiu.
+ + + + + + + +
aentence suffix, expressing
certainty.
I'm sorry.
It's all right.
Baak-ch^u, are you ready?
Not yet. What tine is it?
It* s ... five after one.
What tine did you say?
It's one oh five.
Is your watch aocurate?
[Tour watoh aocurate one?]
Approximately — or a little fast.
Well, wait for me a few minutes
more, please.
OK, I'll wait for you.
I'm sorry.
That's all right.
+ + + + + +
85
LESSON k CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
PRONUNCIATION PRACTICE
1. aa, (written in our text as a when it is in syllable-final position)
as in yihga , Hah , wa
aa as syllable final is a low back rowel [a-]. It is similar to the
rowel in the American word "Pa," though the American vowel is less
backed than the Cantonese one. (American [a]} Cantonese [a-].
Some Americans have the backed vowel in their pronunciation of the
English word "balm." [bum] Since the backed mid-central vowel in
Cantonese [ a*] which we write with the letter a does not occur as a
syllable final but only as the first part of a two-part final, we
use a single a to write the lowback vowel aa [«-] when it is final
in its syllable.
Listen and repeat:
1. Hah , Man , Man . .%
2. wa , wa , wa .
3. yihga , yihga , yihga . %-
2. aap , as in daahp
aap is a two-part final composed of the low back vowel aa [ «- ]
plus the bilabial stop consonant £ [p ] . As a final £ is unreleased:
[p" 1 ]. aa before £ is produced the same way as aa finally, as a low
back vowel, relatively long in an isolated syllable C«-*p"J. The
nearest American counterpart is the op_ in the American word "pop,"
but the vowel portion is more backed than the American vowel.
(American [a], Cantonese [«•]).
Listen and repeat:
daahp , daahp , daahp . tfe
3. aj>, as in sahp . • 10*
ap is a two-part final composed of the backed mid-central vowel
a [S 7 ] plus the bilabial stop consonant £ [p ]. As a final £ is
unreleased: [p"> ]. The a is relatively short in an isolated syl-
lable: C av p^, but it can be attenuated in sentence context under
certain conditions. The nearest American counterpart to a£ is the
mid-central vowel [ 3 ] in the u£ of general American "cup," Ckap] ,
but the Cantonese vowel is more backed than the American one
(Cantonese [3*], American [3]).
86
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON k
Listen and repeat:
sahp , sahp
k. ap/aap contrasts
Listen and repeat:
1. sahp , sahp
2.
3.
sahp
sahp
, sahp
daahp , daabp , daahp
sahp daahp , sahp daahp
daahp sahp , daahp sahp
, sahp daahp'
, daahp sahp
5. gang practice
6. eun, as in jean
1.
2.
leuhng
seung
3. Jeung
(5 times) t#?
(5 times)
(5 times) fa
eun is a two-part final composed of the lower mid-central
rounded Towel en [ a ] plus the dental nasal n. eu before n is
lower and more backed than the same vowel before ng . eun = [ o» n] ;
eung = [ )i n ] The vowel eu before n is relatively long: [ os : n ].
The vowel is an open vowel before the nasal final. The rounded eu
has a rounding effect on a consonant preceding and following it.
There is no close counterpart in English.
Listen and repeat: (Watch the teacher, copy his lip
position)
jeun, jeun, jeun ; jeun, jeun, jeun
jeun mhjeun a?
jeun mhjeun a?
A 4 4 i.
jeun mhjeun a?
7. eun/eung contrast
8. eun/eui contrast
1.
2.
3.
5.
1.
2.
jeun (3 times)
jeun (3 times)
jeun (3 times)
seung, Jeung, leuhng
, seung (3 times)
, Jeung (3 times)
, leuhng (3 times)
, jeun jeun jeun
jeun, jeun, jeun , seung, Jeung, leuhng
jeun jeun deui deui
jeun deui , deui jeun , jeun deui
deui jeun .
87
LESSON k
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
9. uk, aa in luhk, 'aix'
uk is a two-part final composed of the high back rounded
rowel u plus the velar stop consonant k. k as a final is un-
releaaed: [ k 1 ] Before k, the tongue position for u is considerably
lowered in regard to tongue height fron cardinal high position to
upper-mid position: [ o]. The Towel is relatiTely short before k:
[ok]. The closest American counterpart is the ook of "look," but
the Cantonese rowel is lower than the American one. (Cantonese
[o"k], American [ Uk ].)
Listen and repeat:
1. luhk luhk luhk
2. luhk , luhk , luhk . -T-
10. ung, as in tuhng
ung is a two-part final composed of the high back rounded vowel
u plus the velar nasal consonant ng: [ TJ ]. The tongue position
for u before ng is the same as that of u before k — lowered from
cardinal high back position to upper mid position: [ on ]. The
vowel is an open vowel before the nasal final. Lips are rounded.
Listen and repeat:
1. tuhng tuhng tuhng
2. tuhng , tuhng , tuhng
11* ung/uk contrast
1. luhk tuhng
2. tuhng luhk
3. luhk tuhng
tuhng luhk
12. un/ung contrast [ u*n ]/[ o ij 3
Compare: Listen and repeat:
1. tuhng tuhng 1^1 , bun bun .
2. bun tuhng « tuhng bun .
3. tuhng bun tuhng
k. bun tuhng bun
, luhk tuhng
, tuhng luhk
, tuhng luhk
, luhk tuhng
, luhk tuhng
, tuhng luhk
88
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON if
II. NOTES
A. Culture Notes :
Greetings . When two Americans meet for the first time during the
day they use some sort of greeting before ordinary talk begins. Hi,
hello, good morning, good afternoon, whatever seems appropriate to
the situation. In English it is a bit rude not to offer a greeting
before getting down to the business at hand. But Cantonese doesn't
have one to one correspondences with American greetings and uses
greeting forms more sparingly than English does. A good all-purpose
greeting is just to greet the addressee by name.
In this connection notice the first lines of dialogue in the opening
conversation.
In an equivalent English situation, A would be likely to say "Hi" or
some such greeting before saying "Ready yet?"
B. Structure Notes ;
1. ' Dak meih ?'
Dak means 'OK, all right' and meih , 'not yet,' Together they
form a positive-negative question — '0K? t or not yet?,' i.e.,
"Ready yet?"
Responses to Dak meih ? are:
Dak la . = Ready.
Meih dak . = Not ready yet.
2. Time Expressions
1. The following time expressions are used in telling time in
Cantonese:
dim or dimjung = hour, o'clock
Ex: Mr. Chan (to Mr. Lee): Leih Saang.
Mr . Lee : A , Chahn Saang .
Ex: When A comes to B's office to get him for lunch:
A: Bak-chiu dak meih? Bak-chiu, are you ready?
B: Meih a. Not yet.
fanjung
minute (not used as much in Cantonese as
gwat
in English)
quarter-hour sections of the hour (trans-
literation of English "quarter")
five-minute sections of the hour ( jih
89
LESSOR k CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
literally means "figure," here the 12
numbers on the clock dial.)
2. The above time-words combine as follows:
1. yat dim (jung) = one o'clock
2. yat dim yat fanjung = one minute after one o'clock
3. yat dim yat go jih = five minutes after one
(See Drill 7 )
k. yat dim yat go gwat = a quarter after one
(See Drill 6 )
5. yat dim bun = half past one
(See Drill 3 )
3. daahp in time expressions
daahp . literally "tread on" is used in reference to the
number on the clock face to which the minute hand points to
tell time:
Ex: yat dim daahp yat = five minutes after one
yat dim daahp yih = ten minutes after one
(See BC and Drills kj 7 )
k. gei ? 'which number?' in time expressions
in time expressions operates as an
interrogative number, and occupies the position in the sentence
which the r eply number occupies.
Ex: 1. geiiim a? = what time is it? [What number o'clock?]
Nghdim. = I t's f ive o'clock.
2. Yihga daahp
Yihga daahp
gei a? = What time is it? [Now treads
on what number?]
sei . = It's 20 after. [Now treads ^.]
(See BC and Drills 1. 3. ± )
5. Positioning of time expressions in relation to main verbs :
1. A time expression which precedes the verb in the sentence
indicates the time that the action represented by the verb
took/takes/will take place. We refer to the pre-verb time
expression as a 'time when' expression.
Ex: Keuih sahp dimjung gaau He teaches Cantonese at
Gwongdungwa. 10 o'clock .
(See Drill 10 )
90
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE lesson k
2. A time expression which follows the verb indicates the
length of time the action represented by the verb took/
takes/will take place. We refer to the post-verb time
expression as a "time spent" expression.
Ex: Mhgoi neih joi dang Would you mind waiting for
ngoh gei fanjung tim me a few more minutes ,
la.
(See Drill 12 )
3. Sentence suffix wa ?
wa is an interrogative sentence suffix attaching to
question-word questions, asking for a repeat of tffe^slnieSce.
It has the force of " ??? did you (or he, etc.) say?"
Ex: 1. Geidim wa? What time did you say it was?
2. Bingo gaau neih wa? Who did you say taught you?
3. Keuih sing meyeh wa? What did you say his name
was?
(See Drill 11 )
k. Measures :
A Measure is a word in Cantonese which comes between a
number (or a limited set of other entities) and a noun.
Ex: go = representative of a class of words
called Measures.
Ngoh go blu= my [Measure] watch = my watch
yat go jih = one [Measure] figure = one figure, i.e.,
(in relation to time on the clock dial)
five minutes past the hour
Inasmuch as ordinary -English nouns do not have a cate-
gory of word standing between number (and certain other
modifiers) and noun, Measures are usually not translatable
in English equivalent sentences.
saam go gwat = 3 CM] quarters = three quarters
In follow sentences the Measure substitutes for the
noun.
Ex: Keuih go blu jeun khjeun His [M] watch — is it
ga? accurate?
91
LESSOTT k
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Keuih go mhjeun. His one isn't accurate.
(See Drill 8 )
We defer fuller treatment of Measures to Lessons 6 and 7.
5. Adjectives :
Adjectives in Cantonese are descriptive words. Examples
in this lesson are jeun , 'accurate, ' faai . 'fast, 1 maahn,
* slow. *
Adjectives are classed with Verbs, since they can be
preceded by the negative Ah.
Ex: Neih go blu jeun mh-
jeun ga? Is your watch accurate?
Ngoh go blu mhjeun. My watch isn't accurate.
(See BC)
Note that whereas in English an appropriate form of the
verb "be" is needed when an adjective is used in the pre-
dicate, in Cantonese adjectives are used in the predicate
without any other verb.
Compare:
Subject Predicate
My watch is not accurate.
Ngoh go biu mhjeun.
This class of words which we call "adjectives," some
other writers refer to as "stative verbs. '
Adjectives will be treated more fully in Lesson 8.
6. Numbers :
1. Simple numerals
a. From 1 to 10:
1. yat 6. luhk
2. yih 7. chat
3. saam 8. baat
k. sei 9. gau
5. ngh 10. sahp
b. From 11 to 19 Cantonese numbers use an adding formula:
ten-one, ten- two, etc:
11. sahpyat 13 . sahpaaam
12. sahpyih 14. sahpsei
92
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON k
15. sahphgh l8. sahpbaat
16. sahpluhk 19. sahpgau
17. sahpchat
2. yih and leuhng = "2"
yih and leuhng both represent "2."
yih is used in counting off: yat, yih. saam . 'one,
two, three,' and in compound numbers: sahpyih , '12,'
yihsahp , '20,' yihsahpyih , '22,' etc.
leuhng represents "2" usually, but not in every case,
before Measures.
Ex: leung dim = 2:00
leuhng dim yat go .jih = 2:05
leuhng dim leuhng go .jih = 2:10
(See Drills 1. 2. 5, 7 )
We recommend that students not try to generalize at
first about when to use leuhng and when to use yih , but
simply learn them as vocabulary in the places where
they occur.
7. Sentence suffix la
la is a sentence suffix indicating that the
condition described in the sentence to which it is attached
is changed from the way it used to be.
Ex: Ngoh go biu faai My watch has gotten a little
sesiu la. fast.
More on sentence suffix la in Lesson 5«
8. Raised final intonation . '
In the Basic Conversation of this lesson, raised final
intonation transforms sentence suffix la into la in the
following:
Waahkje faai Besiu la. Maybe (it's) a little fast.
Raised final intonation here indicates uncertainty,
doubt.
9. Sentence suffix la
la attaches to imperative sentences, with the effect of
making the imperative a gentle one, definitely a suggestion
politely intended rather than a command. (By imperative we
93
LESSOR k CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
mean 'inciting to action,' including everything from per-
emptory commands to polite requests and also self -imperatives,
such as the equivalent of 'I'll do such and such.') Perhaps
the closest English equivalent for la is a polite tone of
voice. The connotation is 'please,' 'Would you mind...' and
for the self -imperative, 'I'll...'
Ex: 1. fthgoi neih dang ngoh Would you please wait for
gei fanjung tim la. me a few minutes more.
2. Hou, ngoh dang neih OK, I'll wait for you.
15.
(See BC)
10. Dialect variations: (ng)aam(ng)aam and others
.'Jorde in Cantonese which begin with aa, o, and u have a
variant pronunciation in Standard Cantonese in which the
initial vowel is preceded by ng .
Examples: aatnaam, ngaamngaam 'exactly; just'
oi, ngoi 'want'
uk, nguk 'house'
(See Drill 5 )
III. DRILLS
Preliminary Number Drill: 6-10
1. Students listen.
Teacher counts off from one to
+ five, then from six to ten,
gesturing with fingers.
2. Students in chorus count simul-
taneously with teacher.
Teacher counts from 6 to 10,
using hand signals.
3. Teacher silent, signals to an
individual student to recite
by himself.
Random order count: Teacher
indicates one finger at a time
in random order, signalling
students either individually
or in chorus to call out
appropriate number.
5*
Yat yih saam sei ngh (1 time)
luhk chat baat gau sahp
(six seven eight nine ten)
(do 10 times)
luhk chat baat gau sahp
(10 times)
luhk chat baat gau sahp
sahp, luhk, gau. etc.
(approximately 30 numbers)
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON if
1. Listen and repeat: number drill: clock hours. Teacher uses pointer
and blackboard clock. The students repeat after the teacher in
the pauses provided.
1.
yat (pause)
yat dim. (pause)
yat dimjung. (pause)
1,
1:00.
+ 2.
yih (pause)
leuhng dim
(pause)
leuhng dimjung. (oause)
2,
2:00.
3.
saam (pause)
saam dim. (pause)
saam dimjung. (pausi
3,
3:00.
k.
sei (pause)
sei dim. (pause)
sei dimjung. (pause)
't:00.
5.
ngh (pause)
ngh dim. (pause)
ngh dimjung. ' i&use)
5,
5:00.
6.
luhk (pause)
luhk dim. (pause)
luhk dimjung. (pause)
6,
6.00.
7.
chat (pause)
chat dim. (.pause)
chat dimjung. (pause)
7,
7:00.
8.
baat (pause)
baat dim. (pause)
baat dimjung. (pause)
8,
8:00.
9.
gau (pause;
gau dim. (pause;
gau dimjung. (pause)
9,
9:00.
10.
sahp (pause)
sahp dim. (pause)
sahp dimjung. (pause)
10,
10:00.
+ ±1 •
sahpya t
(pause)
sanpyair cum,
( pause)
sahpyat dimjung.
( pause)
ii»
xi : uu •
♦ 12.
sahpyih
(pause)
sahpyih dim.
( pause)
sahpyih dimjung.
(pause)
12:00.
13.
gei (pause)
Which
number?
geidim? (pause)
What o'clock?
geidim jung? (pause)
What o'clock?
a. Random order. Teacher silent, points to different numbers
on clock dial in random order, students call out time.
Individual or group response, or both.
Comment: gei? 'which?' is an interrogative pronoun of number.
2. Expansion Drill: Props: A big clock drawn on blackboard. Teacher
silent, gives visual cues by pointing to numbers on clock.
Ex: T: (points to £ on the clock dial)
S: Yihga chat dim. It's seven o'clock. [Now
seven o'clock.]
1. (3) 1« Yihga saam dim.
2. (6) 2. Yihga luhk dim.
3. (9) 3. Yihga gau dim.
k. (8) k. Yihga baat dim.
5. (2) 5. Yihga leuhng dim.
a. Continue, teacher pointing to numbers on clock to cue
students. Teacher signals for choral or individual response.
95
LESSON if CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
3. Expansion Drill: Props: A big clock drawn on blackboard. Teacher
points to number and says cue word.
Ex: T: /yat/ T: /one/
S: Yihga daahp yat.
S : It'
1 s five after.
1.
/saam/
1.
Yihga daahp saam.
2.
/baat/
2.
Yihga daahp baat.
3.
/gau/
3.
Yihga daahp gau.
k.
/sei/
^.
Yihga daahp sei.
5.
/chat/
5.
Yihga daahp chat.
6.
/yiV
6.
Yihga daahp yih.
7.
/sahpyat/
7.
Yihga daahp sahpyat.
+ 8.
/bun/
8.
Yihga daahp bun.
half
It's half past.
9.
/ngh/
9.
Yihga daahp ngh.
k. Conversation Drill: Props: A big clock drawn on blackboard.
Teacher provides visual cues only, by pointing to number on
clock.
Ex: T: 1
S L : Yihga daahp gei a? T: What time is it?
Sg: Yihga daahp yat.
S: If
's five after.
1.
5
1.
A. Yihga daahp gei a?
B. Yihga daahp ngh.
2.
7
2.
A. Yihga daahp gei a?
B. Yihga daahp chat.
3.
11
3.
A. Yihga daahp gei a?
B. Yihga daahp sahpyat.
k.
8
k.
A. Yihga daahp gei a?
B. Yihga daahp baat.
5.
6
5.
A. Yihga daahp gei a?
B. Yihfca daahp bun.
(daahn bun = half
6.
2
6.
A. Yihga daahp gei a?
B. YihgS daahp yih.
96
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON If
5. Expansion Drill: Props: Blackboard clock. Teacher points first
to hour number then to the half -hour number, as he voices the
cue sentence.
Ex: T: YihgS saam dim bun. T: It's half past three.
[Now three o'clock half.]
♦ S: Yihga ngaamngaam
saam dim bun.
( ng)Sam(ag)Sam
exactly , just.
S: It's exactly half past three.
1.
YihgS
leuhng dim bun.
1.
YihgS ngaamngaam
bun.
2.
YihgS
ngh dim bun.
2.
YihgS ngaamngaam
3.
YihgS
luhk dim bun.
3.
YihgS ngaamngaam
bun.
k.
YihgS
baat dim bun.
k.
YihgS ngSamngSam
bun.
5.
YihgS
sahp dim bun.
5.
Yihga ngaamngaam
bun.
Expansion Drill: Props: Blackboard clock. Teacher says cue then
points to the quarter hour on the clock to signal students'
response.
Ex: T: Sahp dim.
S: YihgS sahp dim
♦ yat go gwat .
1. ySt dim
2. sei dim
3. chSt dim
4. ngh dim
5. saam dim
6. leuhng dim
Comment:
T: Ten o'clock
S: It's a quarter after ten.
[Now ten o'clock one quarter .]
1. YihgS ySt dim yat go gwSt.
2. YihgS sei dim ySt go gwSt.
3. YihgS chSt dim ySt go gwat.
k. Yihga ngh dim yat go gwat.
3. YihgS saam dim ySt go gwat.
6. YihgS leuhng dim ySt go gwSt.
gSt 'quarter', a transliteration from English.
Grammatically gwSt is a Noun, having the Measure go .
It occurs in combination with numbers 1 and 3 to
form time phrases marking the 2 quarter-hours:
saam dim ySt go gwSt - Three o'clock one quarter
= 3:15
Three o'clock three quart-
ers = 3:^5
saam dim saam go gwSt
97
LESSON 4 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
7. Alteration Drill:
Ex: T: Yihga saam dim It's five after three,
daahp yat. or It's three-oh-f ive.
[three touch one]
S: Yihga aaam dim It's five after three,
yat go jih. or It's three-oh-f ive.
CNow three o'clock one figure.]
(TO STUDENT: Take out paper & pencil and write a column
of numbers from 1 to 7. As you respond orally,
write down the times on paper (e.g. 3:05.)
After the exercise, the teacher will give
responses in English, and you correct your
paper. )
1.
Yihga saam dim
daahp yih.
1.
YihgS
saam
dim
leuhng go jih.
2.
Yihga saam dim
daahp sei.
2.
Yihga
saam
dim
sei go jih.
3.
Yihga saam dim
daahp chat.
3.
YihgS
saam
dim
chat go jih.
k.
Yihga saam dim
daahp saam.
Yihga"
saam
dim
saam go jih.
5.
Yihga saam dim
daahp sahp.
5.
YihgS
saam
dim sahp go jih.
Comment: a. jih, 'figure'.
Grammatically Jih is a
Noun, having
the Neaaure go . It occurs in combination with the
numbers 1 through 11 to form a series of time
phrases marking the five-minutes subdivisions of the
hour.
yat go jih = 5 after
leuhng go jih = 10 after, etc.
b. The go jih part of the above phrases may be omitted,
with the meaning unchanged:
saam dim saam go jih - saam dim saam = 3:13
8. Expansion Drill:
Ex: T: Leih Taai go biu
faai sesiu.
/maahn sesiu/
B: Leih Taai go biu faai
sesiu; ngoh go
maahn sesiu.
1. Leih Taai go biu maahn sesiu.
/faai sesiu/
2. Leih Taai go biu faai yatgo-
jih. /maahn yatgojih/
Mrs. Lee's watch is a little
fast, /slow a little/
Mrs. Lee's watch is a little
fast, mine's a little slow.
1. Leih Taai go biu maahn
sesiu, ngoh go faai sesiu.
2. Leih Taai go biu faai yatgo-
jih, ngoh go maahn yatgo-
jih.
98
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON If
3. Leih Taai go blu maahn
yat fan Jung /faai yat fan-
jung/
Mrs. Lee's watch is one
minute slow.
k. Chahn Taai go blu faai sesiu.
/maahn sesiu/
5. Chahn Taai go blu maahn leuhng-
gojih./faai yat go gwat/
3. Leih Taai go blu maahn yat
fan jung, ngoh go faai yat
fanjung.
k. Chahn Taai go blu faai sesiu,
ngoh go maahn sesiu.
5. Chahn Taai go blu maahn
leuhng go jih, ngoh go
faai yat go gwat.
9. Response Drill:
Ex: T
Keuihdeih haih mhhaih
Yinggwokyahn a?
/Meihgwokyahn/
Ngoh mhji. Waahkje
haih Yinggwokyahn,
waahkje haih
Meihgwokyahn.
1. Keuih haih mhhaih Qwong-
dungyahn a? /Seuhnghoiyahn/
2. Keuih haih mhhaih Meihgwok-
yahn a? /Yinggwokyahn/
3. Keuih haih mhhaih Seuhnghoi-
yahn a? /Qwongdungyahn/
't. Keuih haih mhhaih Junggwok-
yahn a? /Yahtbunyahn/
Are they English?
/Americans/
I don' t know - They may be
English, may be Americans.
1. Ngoh mhji, waahkje haih
Gwongdungyahn, waahkje
haih Seuhnghoiyahn.
2. Ngoh mhji, waahkje haih
Meihgwokyahn, waahkje
haih Yinggwokyahn.
3. Ngoh mhjij waahkje haih
Seuhnghoiyahn; waahkje
haih Gwongdungyahn.
k. Ngoh mhji, waahkje haih
Junggwokyahn ; waahkje
haih Yahtbunyahn.
Repeat, Teacher giving the two fillers only, students
taking both parts of conversation, thus:
T: /Yinggwokyahn/ Meihgwokyahn/
SI: Keuih haih mhhaih Yinggwokyahn a?
S2: Waahkje haih Yinggwokyahn, waahkje haih Meihgwokyahn.
10. Combining Drill:
Ex: T: Yihja sahp dim bun. T: It's ten thirty.
Keuihdeih hohk They study Cantonese.
GwSngdungwa.
99
lESSQHJl
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
S: Keuihdeih sahn dim S: They study Cantonese at 10:30.
bun hohk Gwongdung-
wa.
1. Yihja gau dlmjung.
Keuih gaau bingo a?
2. Yihga leuhng din yatgogwat.
Bingo hohk Yingmahn a?
3. Yihga saam din saamgogwat.
Leih Saang hohk meyeh a?
k. Yihga sahpyat dim bun.
Ngohdeih hohk se Jungnahn.
5. Yihga sei dim bun.^
Hoh Sluje gaau Meihgwokyahn
Gwokyuh.
6. Yihga baat dim saamgogwat.
Jeung Taal gaau neih gong
Gwongdungwa.
1. Keuih gau dimjung gaau
bingo a?
2. Bingo leuhng din yatgogwat
hohk Yingmahn a?
3* LeihjSaang saam dim saamgo-
gwat hohk meyeh a?
Ngohdeih^ sahpyat dim bun
hohk se Jungnahn.
5. Hoh^Siuje sei dim bun gaau
Meihgwokyahn Gwokyuh.
6. Jeung Taai baat dim saamgo-
gwat gaau neih gong
Gwongdungwa.
Comment: A time phrase which indicates the time that the
action represented by the verb takes place, precedes
the werb in the sentence.
11. Response Drill: Make a wa? question out of each statement, sub-
stituting the appropriate question word for the expression
underlined in the cue sentence.
Ex: T: Yihga sahpdim bun .
S: Yihga geidin wa?
1. Keuih sing Lauh .
2. Keuih haih ngoh hohksaang.
3. Hoh Siuje gaau ngoh Seuhng-
hoiwa.
T: It is now 10:30 .
S: What time did you say it was
now?
1. Keuih sing meyeh wa?
2. Bingo haih neih hohksaang
wa?
3. Bingo gaau neih Seuhnghoi-
wa wa?
*f. Chahn Taai haih keuih sinsaang. Bingo haih keuih sinsaang
Mrs. Chan is her teacher.
5. Leih Saang haih Meihgwokyahn.
wa?
5. Bingo haih Meihgwokyahn wa?
12. Substitution Drill: Repeat the first sentence, then substitute
as directed.
1. Mhgoi neih dang ngoh gei 1. Ahgoi neih dang ngoh gel
fan Jung. fanjung.
100
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON k
2.
/gei go jih/
2.
Ahgoi neih dang ngoh gei
go jih.
3.
/yat go jih/
3.
Ahgoi neih dang ngoh yat
go jih.
U.
/leuhmr fan lunar/
U.
fanjung.
5.
/leuhng go jih/
5.
Ahgoi neih dang ngoh leuhng
go jih.
IV. CONVERSATIONS FOR LISTENING
(On tape. Listen to tape with book closed.)
V. SAY IT IN CANTONESE.
A. Ask your neighbor:
1. if his watch is accurate.
2. what time Mr. Chan teaches
English.
3. if Mr. Wong teaches English
at 2:15.
k. how to say 'five after
three' in Cantonese.
5- to wait for you 10 more
minutes.
6. if he's ready.
7. if he's ready.
8. what time he said it was.
9. if Mr. and Mrs. Chan are
from Shanghai.
10. what time his watch has,
adding that your own
might not be accurate.
. And he replies:
1. that it is a little slow.
2. that he is sorry but he doesn't
know.
3. no, he teaches English at
2:45.
4. telling you two ways to say
it.
5. OK, he'll wait.
6. that he is.
7. that he's not — and asks you
to wait a few minutes.
8. 10:30.
9. that Mr. Chan is from Shanghai
but Mrs. Chan is from
Taishan.
10. that it's exactly 11:02.
101
LESSOM ^ CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Vocabulary Checklist for Lesson k
1.
aamaam
adv:
exactly
2.
baat
nu:
eight
3.
blu
n:
watch
k.
bo
ss:
sen. suf. for certainty
5.
bun
nu:
half
6.
chamhdo
Ph:
approximately
7.
chat
nu:
seven
8.
daahp
v:
tread on
9.
daahp bun
TW:
half past
10.
daahp gei?
TW:
how many five minutes past the hour?
11.
Dak meih?
Ph:
Ready?
12.
dang
v:
wait (for)
13.
dlm( jung)
m:
o» clock
l<t.
faai
adj:
fast
15.
fanjung
m:
minute(s)
16.
gau
nu:
nine
17.
gei
nu:
several
18.
gei?
QW:
which number?
19.
geidlm( jung)
? Ph:
What o'clock? What time?
20.
go
m:
M. for nouns
21.
gwat
(bf)n:
quarter (hour)
22.
Hou
adj:
OK. All right, (response used in agreeing with
someone . )
23.
jeun
adj:
accurate, right
jib
n:
written figure; word
25.
la
ss:
sen. suf. la for change + raised intonation foi
doubt.
26.
la
ss:
sen. suf. for polite suggestion
27.
la
as:
sen. suf. indicating change from previous
condition.
28.
leuhng
nu:
two
29.
luhk
nu:
six
30.
maahn
adj:
slow
31.
Meih
adv:
Not yet.
102
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
L2SS ON h
32.
fthhou yisi
Ph:
I'm sorry; It's embarassing.
33.
ngaamngaam
adv:
exactly (see aamaam)
3h.
saam go gwat
Ph:
three quarters after the hour
35.
sahp
nu:
ten
36.
sahpyat
nu:
eleven
37.
sahpyih
nu:
twelve
38.
tin
ss:
in addition, also, more
39.
wa
ss:
interrogative sen. suf. calling for repeat of
preceding sentence, i.e., did you say?
*t0. waahkje
cj:
maybe ; or
yat go gwat
Ph:
a quarter after the hour
kz.
vat go jih
Ph:
five minutes
yihga
TW:
now
103
LESSOR 5
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
I. BASIC CONVERSATION
A. Buildup :
Mrs. Wdhng stops in to see her friend Mrs. Jeung at bone.
Jyuyahn
cheb
cheuihbln
Cheuihbln chob la.
yahnhaak
ahgoi
Hou, ahgoi.
Jyuyahn
Yahnhaak
host, hostess
sit
As you wish, at your
convenience
Sit anywhere you like,
guest
thank you
All right, thank you.
(The hostess extends a pack of cigarettes)
J yuyahn
yln
sink
sink yln
Sink yln la.
haakhei
mhsai
fthsai haakhei.
mhhou
Ahhom haakhei a.
Hou, nkgoi.
fthsai mhgoi.
Yahnhaak
J yuyahn
Yahnhaak
J yuyahn
tobacco
eat
smoke tobacco, smoke
Have a cigarette.
polite
unnecessary, no need to
You don't need to be polite,
(i.e., no thanks)
don't ... (as a command)
Cnot good to ...]
Don't be polite, (i.e., Do
have one)
All right, thanks.
No need to thank, (i.e.,
You're welcome.)
10*t
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 5
(A servant brings in
Jyuhihn
chin
yam
Yam chin la.
Yihnhaak
Ahgoi.
Jyuyihn
beng
Sihk beng la.
Yihnhaak
lank
fthsii laak; mhgoi.
Jyuyihn
si
Sihah la.
Yihnhaak
jinhaih
leh
Jinhaih ahs&i haakhei leh.
(They talk awhile, then the
Yihnhaak
aiyal
Aiyal Ngh din la.
jau
yiu jau
Ngoh yiu jau laak.
Jyuyihn
faai
«»■
gaa faai
gam faai jau
105
and cakes.)
tea
drink
Have some tea.
Thank you.
cake(s), cookie(s)
Have soae cookies.
sentence suffix la
indicating change or
potential change + k =
lively, la + k ■ laak .
No thanks.
try
Try a little,
really
sentence suffix for
definiteness.
No thanks — really,
guest prepares to leave.)
exclamation of consternation
Oh~oh. It's five o'clock.
leave
must go
I must be going.
fast
so
so fast, so soon
go so soon
LESSON 5
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
fthhou gam faai Jau la. Don't go so soonl
Yahnhaak
fthhaih a — No—
Janhaih yiu jau laak. I really oust go.
B. Recajgltulation ;
Mrs. Wohng stops in to see her friend Mrs. Jeung at hose.
Jyuyahn
Cheuihbtn choh la. Sit anywhere you like.
Yahnhaak
Hou, mhgoi. All right; thanks.
(The hostess extends a pack of cigarettes.)
Jyuyahn
Sihk yln la.
fthsai haakhei.
fthhou haakhei a.
Hou, ihgoi.
fthsai ihgoi.
Yahnhaak
Jyuyahn
Yahnhaak
Jyuyahn
Have a cigarette.
You don't have to be polite,
(i.e.. No thanks.)
Don't be polite, (i.e., Do
have one.)
All right, thanks.
No need to thank, (i.e.,
you're welcome.)
(A servant brings in tea and cakes.)
Jyuyahn
Yam chah la.
Ahgoi.
Sihk beng la.
fthsai laak; ihgoi.
Yahnhaak
Yahnhaak
Have some tea.
Thank you.
Have some cookies.
No thanks.
106
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
L£SSON 5
Jyuyahn
Sihah 15. Try a little.
Yahnhaak
Janhaih mhsai haakhei leh. No thanks — really.
(They talk awhile, then the guest prepares to leave.)
Yahnhaak
Aiyal figh dim laak. Ngoh yiu Oh— oh. It's five o'clock. I
jau laak. must be going.
Jyuyahn
Ahhou gam faai jau la. Don't go so soonl
Yahnhaak
Ahhaih a— No—
Janhaih yiu Jau laak* I really must go.
+ + + ♦♦ + + + + ♦♦♦ + ♦
Pronunciation:
1. ai
ai is a two-part final composed of the backed mid central vowel
a plus high front unrounded offglide i The a portion is
quite short in an isolated syllable — [a" 15 -]. The syllable may be
lengthened when it occurs in stress position in a sentence, in which
case it is the i part that lengthens, not the a part,
mhsai (5 times) <jt
2. aai
aai is a two-part final composed of the low back vowel aa [a-]
plus high front unrounded offglide i, which following aa is somewhat
lower than it is following a, C 0 - 1 ] . The aa portion is relatively
long in an isolated syllable— [cu 1 ] . The aai syllable may be
lengthened when it occurs in stress position in a sentence, in which
case it is the aa part that lengthens, not the i part. The Cantonese
aai is similar to the ie of the American words 'fie,* 'die,* 'tie.'
Listen and repeat:
1. faai (five times) 1^
2. taai (five times)
3. ai/ aai contrasts
Listen and repeat:
107
LESSOS 5 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
1. ihsai, faai . (5 times)
2. faai, mhsai . (5 times)
k. ang in dang (Lesson *0
ang is a two-part final composed of the backed mid central vowel
a [??] plus the velar nasal consonant ng. The closest American
counterpart to the Cantonese vowel is the mid central vowel in the
English "dung. 11 The Cantonese vowel is shorter than the American one,
more backed, and not nasalized before the nasal final.
Compare English and Cantonese — Listen:
dung dang (5 times)
Listen and repeat:
dang (5 times) %
5. aang in chaang
aang is a two-part final composed of the low back vowel aa [«0
plus the velar nasal consonant ng. The aa before ng is pronounced
the same way as aa before 2 a » d before i. The closest American
counterpart is the low central vowel of "dong" [a] in "ding dong,"
but the Cantonese aa [*] is more backed and not nasalised before the
final nasal consonant.
Compare English and Cantonese— Listen:
dong chaang (5 times) ^
Listen and repeat:
chaang (5 times)
slnsaang (5 times) 4L £
6. ang/aang contrasts
Listen and repeat:
1. dang (3 times)
2. chaang (3 times)
3. dang chaang (3 times)
k. chaang dang (3 times)
7. ak in dak (Lesson k)
ak is a two-part final composed of the backed mid central vowel
a plus velar stop consonant k. As a final k is unreleased — Ck" 1 ] ,
a is as elsewhere— short in an isolated unstressed syllable, more
backed than its closest American counterpart, which is the [ 3 ] of
"duck." It is also tenser than the American counterpart.
108
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE lesson 5
Compare English and Cantonese:
duck dak (5 times)
Listen and repeat:
dak (5 times)
Compare the a before k with the a elsewhere: —
Listen and repeat:
1. dak (3 times)
2. chat (3 times)
3. sahp (3 times)
J+. dak chat sahp (3 times)
5. gam (3 times)
6. Chahn (3 times)
7. dang (3 times)
8. gam, Chahn, dang
9. mhsai
8. aak in yahnhaak , haakhei
aak is a two-part final composed of the low back vowel aa [ «-] plus
the velar stop k. As a final k is unreleased [kTI, aa is produced
the same way as before -ng , -p and elsewhere. It 1b somewhat more
backed than the vowel of "hock," the closest general American counter-
part.
Listen and repeat:
1. yahnhaak (3 times) %■
2. haakhei (3 times) %~ ^
9. ak/ aak contrasts
Listen and repeat:
1. meih dak (3 times)
2. yahnhaak (3 times) A- %•
3. meih dak, yahnhaak (3 times)
yahnhaak, meih dak (3 times)
10. Fast speech forms.
Listen to fast speech pronunciation:
1. haakhei %- Jfl
2. fthsai haakhei
3. Ahhou haakhei
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LESSON 5
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Comments: 1. You notice that there is a tendency for
the friction of the h consonant to dis-
appear in fast speech. This is particu-
larly true in such ritual courtesy forms
as the above. We similarly abbreviate
courtesy forms in English without perhaps
noticing it. Ex: ' anksalot' = Thanks a
lot.
2. The k in syllable final but not word
final position has a tendency in fast
speech to be pronounced as a glottal
stop rather than as a velar stop. Listen:
1. waahkje (3 times)
2. Junggwokyahn (3 times)
3. haakhei (3 times)
4. hohksaang (3 times)
We are not going to give much specific
attention to fast speech forms in this
text. It is probably just as well for
you not to try to produce them, because
chances are you would notice some and not
others.
11. The j^k final of sentence suffix laak .
We have used k to represent the final sound in the sentence
suffix laak . This sound is a glottal stop, rather than the velar stop
which is the sound k normally represents. Linguistically this is a
messy way to handle this situation, but in practice, restricted as
it is to sentence suffix position, it has not given previous students
difficulty.
The laak spelling derives thus:
la is initial 1 plus the low back aa vowel [ ] , which we
spell a when it is final in a syllable. (The mid central a
vowel [9>] never occurs in syllable final position.)
Adding k as final makes the aa not final in its syllable,
so its spelling is represented as aat la + -k = laak
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 5
Ex: Ngoh haih yahnhaak. I am a guest.
Ngoh yiu jau laak. I must go now.
12. au as in jau , gau
au is a two-part final composed of the backed mid central vowel
a [9> ] and the high back rounded vowel u [ U.]. The a before u has
a tongue position slightly lower than in other positions (before
-i, -p, -k, etc.). The nearest American counterpart is general
American ow in "cow."
Listen and repeat:
1. jau (3 times) )§\
2. be jau (3 times) *% $
3. gau (3 times) j\j
k. jau jai ("son")>g| jau jai , jau jai
13. aau in gaau
aau is a two-part final composed of the low back vowel aa
and the high back rounded vowel u [ U ] . In this position the aa
is more fronted [«<<] than in other positions. The nearest American
counterpart is in the relatively fronted vowel of the Southern
Pronunciation of "cow," the vowel of which begins with the low front
a [ ae] of "cat."
Listen and repeat:
gaau (5 times)
l'f. au /aau
Listen and repeat, comparing au and aau :
1. jau gaau (3 times) j§
2. gaau jau (3 times) ^ jfl
3. gau gaau (3 times) ju
gau ('enough') gaau (3 times) j&L
5. gaau gau (3 times) -fa. $3
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LESSON 5 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
II. NOTES
A. Culture Notes
1. Customs of polite behavior for host and guest .
In a hoat-guest situation in Cantonese, it is standard
courtesy for the host to offer some refreshment, for the guest
to politely decline, and for the host to urge the guest again to
have some, at which point the guest politely accepts or declines
as he wishes.
Since it is customary to decline offered refreshments, in
offering them it is best to avoid phrasing your offer in a choice-
type question, because your Cantonese friends will feel it pushy
to answer yes when asked this way. If the food is already at hand
it is better to use the polite suggestion form: Sihk beng la .
•Have some cookies.' If the refreshments are not right at hand,
use the question-word question: Yam di meyeh a ? [Drink a little
what?] 'What would you like to drink?
2. sihk faahn [eat rice] means 'to have a meal,' 'to eat.' It may
also mean to eat Chinese food, in contrast to eating Western
food.
3. yam chah , 'drink tea.'
yam chah also has a wider meaning, reflecting a distinctively
Cantonese custom. This is the custom of going to the teahouse in
the morning to drink tea and eat hot snacks, generally steamed
shrimp dumplings [ha gaau] and steamed dumplings of minced pork
and mushrooms [slu maai]. This is called 'going out to yam chah 1 '
It is on the whole a morning custom, though in Hong Kong, perhaps
influenced by the British custom of afternoon tea, some teahouse
also serve tea and snacks in the afternoon, yam chah doesn't
correspond to the coffee break; instead it substitutes for a
regular meal, either breakfast or lunch. At a 'regular' meal you
have rice, but when you go to a teahouse to yam chah , by tradition
you don't get rice. Now that custom too is breaking down, and you
may, though the chances are against it, get rice with a yam chah
meal*
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE lesson 5
h. Aiya i is an exclamation of consternation. English equivalents are
very much dependent on the speaker, ranging from "Oh, my!" to
"Good Lordl" to "Oh my godi" etc.
Aiya t is said to be used more by women than by men. Men use
Wahi more often instead.
5. mhgoi , 'thank you' is appropriate for thanking someone for a ser-
vice. When someone gives you some information or does you a
favor, you thank them with mhgoi . There is another word, dojeh ,
'thank you,' which is appropriate for thanking someone for a gift.
(We encounter this word is the text of Lesson lk»)
In the Conversation which opens this lesson, the guest
accepted a cigarette with mhgoi — viewing this as more of a
courtesy than a gift.
(See BC and Drills 7. 8, 9 )
B. Structure Notes
1. Sentence suffix laak .
laak is a fusion of sentence suffix la indicating change —
(that change has occurred, or is about to occur, or may occur) —
plus k, which is suffixed to a few sentence suffixes, giving the
sentence a lively air.
'Whether la or laak is used depends partly on the speaker —
some speakers habitually tend to use laak more than la—, partly
on whether the conversation is spirited or matter-of-fact, laak
tending to be used more in spirited than in matter-of-fact
discourses.
Because la/laak has to do with change, it works pretty well
to translate it in English as "now," keeping in mind that it
contrasts the present situation to some previous or future one.
Examples from the Basic Conversation:
1. fthsai laak, mhgoi. (In response to being offered
some cookies:) Not [necessary]
now, thanks. (It's not that
I don't want your cookies, I
might change and have some
later, but not just now, thanks.)
2. Aiyal figh dim laakt Wowl It' S ( five o'clock already
(I didn t realize it had gotten
so late.)
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
3. Ngoh yiu jau laak. I must be going now.
(See BC and Drills 7. 8, 9 )
2. ^k for lively speech.
-;k is a glottal stop ending to certain sentence suffixes —
for example, la and a which adds liveliness.
(See BC, Drills 7, 8. 9 » and Structure Notes 1. 3 )
3. Sentence suffix aak .
aak is a fusion of sentence suffix a (which softens abrupt-
ness) and the final ^k, giving a lively air.
a + k = aak (cf: la + -k = laak )
Example:
Host: Sink yin la. Have a cigarette.
Guest: Hou aak, mhgoi. OK, thanks.
(See Drills ?, 8. 9 )
4. Sentence suffix leh .
leh is an emphatic sentence suffix, adding the connotation
that you are quite definite about what you say. ( leh is probably
derived from sentence suffix la.) The tone of voice is polite.
Example from the Basic Conversation:
Janhaih mhsai haakhei (Declining cookies which the
leh. host has urged you twice to
take) No thanks, really .
(See BC and Drill 11 )
5. Sentence suffix la for polite suggestion.
This lesson has many examples of sentence suffix la, first
encountered in Lesson
la is suffixed to command sentences, softening the command to
a polite suggestion.
Ex: Sink ylh la. Have a cigarette, (polite tone
of voice.)
(See BC and Drills 1. 2. k, 5, 7, 8. 9 )
6. Imperative sentences without sentence suffix.
Without a softening sentence suffix an imperative sentence
has the force of a command rather than a suggestion.
Example:
fthhou sihk beng. Don't eat those cookies.
(See Drill 5 )
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 5
The above sentence might be one said by a father or mother to a
child.
7. -hah . Verb suffix for casualness.
-hah is a verb suffix which gives a somewhat casual air to the
verb it attaches to. In this lesson -hah attaches to the verb si. 'try. '
Sihah has the force of 'give it a try,' — a bit more casual than
•thr it.'
(See BC)
8. yiu . 'must,' and mhsai . 'mustn'tj' 'needn't'
yiu used as an auxiliary verD preceding another verb can have the
meaning 'must V . ' ' have to Y . ' 'need to Y . ' The basic meaning
of yiu is 'require,' and it can be used as a full verb, though in
this lesson it is introduced only in its auxiliary verb use.
To express that you needn't do something, or to ask if something
is necessary, Cantonese doesn't use the negative and question forms of
yiu . but uses the negative and question forms of the verb sai . 'need, '
'have to.'
Ex:
yiu jau
Ngoh yiu jau laak.
must leave, have to be going
I must be going.
Ex: Ngoh yihga
yiu
hohk
Yingmahn. I have to study English
right now.
Ngoh yihga
mhsai hohk
Yingmahn. I don't have to study
English right now.
Neih yihga
sai mhsai hohk
Yingmahn a? Do you have to study
English right now?
(See BC)
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LESSON 5
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
III. DRILLS
1. Substitution Drill
Ex: T: Sink beng la.
/yln/
S: Sihk yln la.
+ 1. Sihk yln la. /faahn/
( rice )
+ 2. Sihk faahn la. /pjhnggwo/
( apple )
+ 3. /chaang/
( orange )
U. /beng/
5. /yln/
+ 6. Allu/
(banana)
T: Have a cookie [polite],
/tobacco/
or
Have soae cookies [polite].
S: Have a cigarette [polite].
1. Sihk faahn la.
Dinner is ready; come eat.
2. Sihk pihnggwo la.
Have an apple.
3. Sihk chaang la.
Have an orange.
4. Sihk beng la.
3. Sihk yln la.
6. Sihk jlu la.
2. Substitution Drill
+ Ex: T: Yam chah lit /gafe/
S: Yam gafe la!
1. Yam chah la. /gafe/
♦ 2. Yam gafe la. /heiseui/
( 80ft drink )
+ 3« Yam heiseui la. /be.jau/
( beer )
♦ 4. Yam bejau la. /seui/
( water )
3. Yam seui la. /chah/
♦ 6. /ngauhnaaih/
( milk )
+ 7. /W
( alcoholic beverage )
T: Have some teal [polite] /coffee/
S: Have some coffee!
1. Yam gafe la.
2. Yam heiseui la.
Have a soft drink.
3. Yam bejau la.
Have a beer.
k. Yam seui la.
Have some water.
5. Yam chah la.
6. Yam ngauhnaaih la.
7. Yam jau la.
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 5
3. Substitution Drill
Ex: T: Yam mhyam heiseui a? T: Would you like a soft drink?
/be jau/
Yam mhyam bejau a?
1. /gafe/
2. /heiseui/
3. /seui/
k. /bejau/
5. /ngauhnaaih/
/beer/
S: Would you like a beer?
1. Yam mhyam gafe a?
2. Yam mhyam heiseui a?
3. Yam mhyam seui a?
it. Yam mhyam bejau a?
5. Yam mhyam ngauhnaaih a?
Comment: The above sentences could also mean 'Do you drink?'
(as a custom, as opposed to an intention)
Social comment: Chinese custom makes one feel awkward to an-
swer choice type question affirmatively.
It is better to ask 'Yam dl meyeh a?' 'You'll
drink a little what?', i.e. "What'll you
have to drink?"
k. Expansion Drill
Ex: 1. T: chah T: tea
S: Yam chah la! S: Have some tea.
2. T: beng T: cookies
S: Sihk beng la I S: Have a cookie.
or
Have some cookies.
1.
gafe
1.
Yam gafe la I
2.
heiseui
2.
Yam heiseui lal
3.
faaha
3.
Sihk faahn la!
k.
bejau
k.
Yam bejau la!
5.
yln
5.
Sihk yln la!
6.
pihnggwo
6.
Sihk pihnggwo la!
7.
seui
7.
Yam seui la!
8.
chaang
8.
Sihk chaang la!
9.
beng
9.
Sihk beng la!
10.
chah
10.
Yam chah lit
11.
jau
11.
Yam jau la!
12.
12.
Sihk jZu la!
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LBSSON 5 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
5. Transformation Drill
Ex: T: Sink yln la! T: Have a cigarette, (polite
invitation)
S: fthhou sink yln! S: Don't smoke I (abrupt; note
absence of la )
1.
Yam bejau la.
1.
fthhou yam bejau!
2.
Sihk yln la.
2.
fthhou sihk yln!
3.
Yam gafe la.
3.
fthhou yam gafe!
k.
Sihk beng la.
k.
fthhou sihk beng!
5.
Yam heiseui la.
5.
fthhou yam heiseui!
a. Repeat, as polite
negative request, thus:
T: Sihk yln la! T: Have a cigarette.
S: fthhou sihk yln la. S: Please don't smoke.
6. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Keuih yam chah.
s
>: Keuih yam chah, S:
He
daahnhaih mhyam
gafe.
or
He
1.
Keuih
yam heiseui. /bejau/
1.
2.
Keuih
yam gafe. /chah/
2.
3.
Keuih
sihk pihnggwo. /chaang/
3.
4.
Keuih
sihk beng. /yam chah/
4.
5.
Keuih
#
slk se Jungmahn. /Ying-
5.
T: He drinks tea. /coffee/
drinks tea, but he doesn't
drink coffee.
He drinks tea, but not coffee.
suih yam heiseui,
daahnhaih mhyam bejau.
auih^yam £afe, daahnhaih
mhyam chah.
suih sihk pihnggwo, daahn-
haih mhsihk chaang.
mhyam chah.
tngmahn.
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 5
7. Response Drill
Ex: 1. T: Yam gafe la?
/nod/
+ S: Hou_aak. fthgoi.
2. T: Yam gafe la?
/shake/
S: fthyam laak,
mhgoi.
1. Yam chin la? /nod/
2. Yam bejau la? /nod/
3. Yam heieeui la? /shake/
^. Yam gafe la? /shake/
5. Yam seui la? /nod/
Comment
T: Would you like some coffee?
/nod/
S: Yes ; thanks*
T: Would you like some coffee?
/shake/
S: No thanks, not right now.
1. Hou aak. fthgoi.
2. Hou aak. fthgoi.
3. fthyam laak, mhgoi.
k. fthyam laak, mhgoi.
5. Hou aak. fthgoi.
aak occurs in a set with hou as a fixed phrase,
followed by pause: Hou aak . 'Agreed.', 'OK.' But
hou , when it introduces a comment, is not followed
by aak . Compare the pausing of:
Hou, mhgoi.
Hou aak. fthgoi.
OK, thanks.
OK. Thanks.
8. Response Drill
Ex:
1. T: Sihk beng
lal /nod/
T:
Have a cookie, /nod/
S: Hou aak. fthgoi.
S:
All right. Thanks you.
2. T: Sihk beng lal
/shake/
T:
Have a cookie, /shake/
S: fthsihk laak;
mhgoi.
S:
Not just now, thanks*
1.
Sihk
pihnggwo lal /nod/
1. Hou aak. fthgoi.
2.
Sihk
yln lal /nod/
2. Hou aak. fthgoi.
3.
Sihk
faahn lal /shake/
3. fthsihk laak; mhgoi.
k.
Sihk
chaang lal /shake/
k. fthsihk laak; mhgoi.
5.
Sihk
beng lal /nod/
5. Hou aak. fthgoi.
6.
Sihk
jlu lal /nod/
6. Hou aak. fthgoi.
Comment: If you don't smoke, the way to say so colloquially,
when you are invited to have a cigarette, is:
" Slu sihk " , 'smoke very little', 'seldom smoke',
i.e. "I don't smoke."
LESSCW 5 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Response Drill: Respond appropriately, following patterns es-
tablished in Drills 7 and 8. (For the negative use nasihk and
ah yaa . although nasal is equally appropriate.)
1. Tan chih la? /nod/
2. Tan be jau la? /shake/
3. Sihk yln la! /nod/
4. Sihk bang lil /shake/
5. Tan gafe la? /nod/
6. Sihk pihnggwo la J /nod/
7. Tan heiaeui la? /shake/
8. Sihk Chiang la? /shake/
1. Hou aak. fthgoi.
2. fthyaa laak. fthgoi.
3* Hou ask. fthgoi.
<f. fthsihk laak. fthgoi.
5. Hou aak. fthgoi.
6. Hou aak. fthgoi.
7* fthyaa laak. fthgoi.
8. fthsihk laak. fthgoi.
Repeat, teacher cueing nouna only, atudenta doing Q&A,
answering fthsai laak . fthgoi . 'No, thanks.'
10. Subatitution Drill: Substitute in Subject or Object position as
appropriate.
Ex: 1. T:
Neih yaa may eh
a? /neih
pahngyauh/
S: Neih pahngyauh
yaa aeyeh a?
T: Neih pahngyauh
yaa aeyeh a?
/h'ioSui/
S: Neih pahngyauh
yaa heiaeui.
1. Keuih yaa aeyeh a? /keuih
pahngyauh/
2. /aeui/
3. /jiu/
k, /ngohdeih pahngyauh/
3. /neih pahngyauh/
6. /bingo/
T: What would you like to drink?
/your friend/
S: What would your friend like
to drink?
T: What would your friend like
to drink? /soft drink/
S: Tour friend would like a soft
drink.
1. Keuih pahngyauh yaa aeyeh
a?
2. Keuih pahngyauh yaa aeui.
3. Keuih pahngyauh yaa jau.
J». Ngohdeih pahngyauh yaa jau.
5. Neih pahngyauh yaa jau.
6. Bingo yaa jau a?
7. /keuih/ 7. Keuih yaa jau.
8. /aeyeh/ 8. Keuih yaa aeyeh a?
Ceaaentt Taa Object can aean (l) 'intend to yaa object 1 and
it can aean (2) in process of yaw-inn object or
could aean (3) 'custoaarily yaa object '. The
aituation governs which interpretation ia appropriate.
Thla follow* for all the sentences in this drill.
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 5
11. Conversation Drill
Ex: Host: Sink beng la?
Guest: Ahsai haakhei.
Host: Ahhou haakhei a.
Guest: (shake) Ngoh
janhaih mhsihk
leh.
or
Guest: (nod) Hou aak.
mhgoi.
Host: Ahsai mhgoi.
1. A. Sihk pihnggwo la?
B
A
6 . ( shake )
2. A. Yam gafe la?
B
A
B. (nod)
A
3. A. Sihk chaang la?
B
A
B. (shake)
k. A. Sihk yln la?
B
A
B . ( shake )
5. A. Yam bejau la?
B
A
B. (shake)
Host: Won't you have some cookies?
Guest: Ah, no, thank you.
Host: Oh, do have some.
Guest: No thanks, really not.
or
Guest: Well, all right, thanks.
Host: You're welcome, or
Not at all.
1. A. Sihk pihnggwo la?
B. Ahsai haakhei.
A. Ahhou haakhei a.
B. Ngoh janhaih mhsihk leh.
2. A. Yam gafe la?
B. Ahsai haakhei.
A. Ahhou haakhei a.
B. Hou aak, mhjro-i -
A. Ahsai mhgoi.
3- A. Sihk chaang la?
B. Ahsai baakhei.
A. fthhou haakhei a.
B. Ngoh janhaih mhsihk leh.
4. A. Sihk yln la?
B. Ahsai haakhei.
A. fthhou haakhei a.
B. Ngoh janhaih mhsihk leh.
5. A. Yam bejau la?
B. Ahsai haakhei.
A. AhhSu haakhei a.
B. Ngoh janhaih mhyarn leh.
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LESSON 5
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
12. Conversion Drill
Ex: Waiter: Yam meyeh a? A: What'll you have to drink?
Customer: Ngoh yam chah. B: I'll have tea.
Waiter: Siuje haih_ A
mhhaih dou
yam chah a?
Customer: fthhaih. Keuih B: No, she'll have coffee,
yam gafe.
Will the young lady have tea
too?
1. W.
C
...*.?
, • . • . be jau.
W. Neih pahngyauh ?
C gaf««
2 « W« ••••««•«••«•?
C heiseui.
W. Keuih ?
C bejau.
3. W. Slnsaang ?
C chah.
W. Siuje ?
C heiseui.
If. W. Hoh Saang ?
C bejau.
W. Hoh Taai V
C heiseui.
1. W. Yam meyeh a?
C. Ngoh yam bejau.
W. Neih pahngyauh haih
mhhaih dou yam bejau a?
C. fthhaih. Keuih yam gafe.
2. W. Yam meyeh a?
C. Ngoh yam heiseui.
W. Keuih haih^ mhhaih dou
yam heiseui a?
C. fthhaih. Keuih yam bejau.
3. W. Slnsaang yam meyeh a?
What will you have to
drink, sir?
C. Ngoh yam chah.
W. Slu^e haih mhhaih dou
yam chah a?
Will the young lady
have tea too?
C. fthhaih. Keuih yam heiseui.
k, W. Hoh Saang yam meyeh a?
What'll you have to
drink, Mr. Ho?
C. Ngoh yam bejau.
W. Hoh^Taai haih mhhaih dou
yam bejau a?
Will Mrs. Ho have beer
too?
C. fthhaih. Keuih yam heiseui.
Comment: In a different situation the Example conversation
(and likewise those below) could also be appro-
priately interpreted as:
A. What's that you're drinking?
122
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 5
8: I'm drinking tea.
A: Is he drinking tea too?
A: No, he* e drinking coffee.
13. Conversation Drill
Ex: Quest: Aiyal Yihga
sahp dim daahp
chat. Ngoh yiu
jau laak.
Host: fthhou gam faai
jau la I
Quest: fthhaih a. Jan-
haih yiu jau
laak.
1.
2.
3.
Guest: Oh-ohl It's 10:35.
I must be going.
Host: Oh don't go so sooni
Guest: No. Keally, I must go.
1. A.
B.
A.
2. A.
B.
A.
3. A.
B.
A.
k. A.
B.
A.
Aiyal Yihga yat dim daahp
chat. Ngoh yiu jau laak.
Ahhou gam faai jau lal
fthhaih a. Janhaih yiu
jau laak.
Aiyal Yihga saam dim
saamgogwat . Ngoh yiu
jau laak.
Ahhou gam faai jau la I
fthhaih a. Janhaih yiu
jau laak.
Aiya! Yihga luhk dim
daahp sahp. Ngoh yiu
jau laak.
Ahhou gam faai jau la I
fthhaih a. Janhaih yiu
jau laak.
Aiyal Yihga sahpyih dim
daahp sei. Ngoh yiu
jau laak.
fthhou gam faai jau lal
fthhaih a. Janhaih yiu
jau laak.
123
LESSQH 5
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
A. Aiyal Yihga baat dlmyat-
gogwat. Ngoh yiu jau
laak.
B. fthhou gam faai jau lit
A. fthhaib. a. Jinhaih yiu
jau laak.
IV. CONVERSATIONS FOR LISTENING
(On tape. Listen to tape with book closed.)
V. SAY IT IN CANTONESE
A. Student A to Student B:
1. offers him tea.
2. Have some cookies.
3. It's 6:30 — I have to go.
h. Sit anywhere you like.
5. (acting the part of a
waiter:) What* 11 you have
to drink?
6. Don't go so soon!
7. (offering cookies to a guest
who has politely declined
them already: )
Do try some!
B. Student B replies:
1. Thank you.
2. No thanks.
3. Don't go so soonl
k. Thanks.
5. I'll have beer.
6. No, I really have to go.
7. I really don't care for
any, thanks, [really not
eat]
12*f
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LSSSON 5
Vocabulary Checklist for Lesson 5
1.
aak
ss:
sen. suf. a to soften abruptness + ^k
for liveliness
2.
Aiyal
ex:
exclamation of consternation
3.
be jau
m:
beer
k.
beng
n:
cake
5.
chaang
n:
orange
6.
chan
n:
tea
7.
cheuihbin
adv:
As you wish, At your convenience
8.
cheuihbin choh la.
Ph:
'Sit anywhere you like.'
9.
choh
v:
sit
10.
faahn
n:
rice (cooked)
11.
gafe
n:
coffee
12.
gam
adv:
so , such
13.
haakhei
adj:
polite
l*t.
-hah
Vsuf :
Verb suffix for casual effect
15-
heiseui
n:
soft drink
16.
Hou aak
Ph:
OK. Agreed. Response indicating agreement.
17.
janhaih
adv:
really, indeed
18.
jau
n:
alcoholic beverage
19.
jau
v:
leave, depart
20.
n:
banana
21.
jyuyahn
n:
host, hostess
22.
-k
ss:
a glottal stop ending to certain sentence
suffixes, giving sentence a lively air.
23.
la
ss:
sen. suf. indicating potential change
2k.
laak
ss:
sen. suf. la (change) + sen. suf. -k
(liveliness)
25.
leh
ss:
sen. suf. for definiteness
26.
fthgoi
Ph:
Thank you (for service)
27.
mhhou
Ph:
don't (as a command)
28.
fthhou haakhei
Ph:
'Don't be polite.'
29.
flhsai
Ph:
no need to, not necessary
30.
fthsai la(ak)
Ph:
No thanks (when offered something) [not
necessary now]
125
LESSON 5
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
31. fthsai mhgoi.
Ph:
You're welcome, [not necessary] Polite
response when someone thanks you for
doing him a service
32. flhsai haakhei
Ph:
[don't need to be polite.]
"No thanks." (to an offer}
"You're welcome." (when someone thanks
you. )
33. ngauhnaaih
n:
milk
3*+. pihnggwo
n:
apple
35. seui
n:
water
36. si
v:
try
37. sihah
Veuf:
give it a try
38. sihk
v:
eat
39. sihk yln
vo:
to smoke
'tO. Slu sihk
Ph:
'I don't smoke.' non-smoker's response in
refusing a cigarette, [seldom-sraoke]
kl . yahnhaak
n:
guest
hZ. yam
v:
drink
^3. yln
(bw)n:
tobacco; smoke
yiu
auxV:
must, need, have to
126
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 6
I. BASIC CONVERSATION
A. Buildup :
(Clerk and Customer in a department store)
aauhfoyuhn
maaih
Maaih aeyeh a?
guhaak
Sauhfoyuhn
seutsaam
gibn
seung aaaih
Ngoh seung aaaih gihn seutsaam.
chin
geido?
geido chin a?
nl
nl gihn
Nl gihn geido chin a?
Sauhfoyuhn
yahsei
yahsei man
Nl gihn yahsei aan.
Quhaak
go
go gihn
go leuhng gihn
dou haih yahsei aan
haih Ahhaih dou haih
yahsei man a?
Go leuhng gihn haih ahhaih
dou haih yahsei aan gihn a?
sales clerk
buy
Buy what? (i.e., May I help
you?)
customer
shirt
measure for clothing
wish to buy, want to buy
I want to buy a shirt,
money
how much?
how much money?
this
this one (this 'measure')
How much is this one?
dollar
twenty-four
%ZW
This one is %Zh.
that
that one (that 'measure')
those two
is also 12**, are also %Zk,
are (they) also %Zkl or
is (it) also $2<f?
Those two, are they also %2k
each?
127
LESSOH 6
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Sauhfoyuhn
Ahhaih; yihaahp man je.
Ahhaih — yihaahp man giha je.
Quhaak
bei
bei ngoh
bei bI gihn ngoh
Hou, bei nl gihn ngoh la.
Sauhfoyuhn
geido giha
Tiu geido gihn a?
Quhaak
gan
Tat gihn gan laak.
Sauhfoyuhn
aim, neih maaih ahmaaih go
leuhng gihn a?
Qnhaak
Ahmaaih laak.
No; twenty dollar* only
Mo — Only S20 eaeh.
giro
giwe me
giro this one (to) a*
OK, giro me this on*.
how aany ones
How many do you want?
•nough
One is enough.
Are you going to buy those
two?
Not buy.
B. Recapitulation :
Sauhfoyuhn
Maaih meyeh a? What would you like to buy?
Quhaak
Ngoh seung aaaih giha seutsaan. I'm looking for a sbirt.
Nl gihn geido chin a? How much is this one?
Sauhfoyuhn
Nl gihn yahsei man. This one is %2k*
Quhaak
Go leuhng gihn halh ahhaih Are those two also %2k eaeh?
dou haih yahsei man giha a?
Sauhfoyuhn
Ahhaih; yihaahp man giha je. No; only 820 each.
Guhaak
Hon, bei nl gihn ngoh la. 0K t giro me this one.
128
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 6
Sauhfoyuhn
Yiu geido giha a?
How many do you want?
Qnhaak
Tat gihn gau laak.
One is enough.
Qam, neih miaih mhmaaih go
leuhng gihn a?
Are you going to buy those two?
Quhaak
fthmaalh laak.
Not now, thanks.
♦ + + ♦ + + ♦ + + + + + + ♦
Pronunciation;
1. at in chat , bat , maht
at is a two-part final composed of the mid central vowel a L a> ],
plus the consonant stop t. To produce t the tongue tip stops the flow
of air at the dental ridge, close to the base of the lower teeth.
In final position the t is unreleased: — [f]. The closest American
counterpart to the Cantonese at is the ut of general American "but,"
but the Cantonese syllable is shorter in an isolated syllable, more
backed, and tenser.
2. aat in baat
aat is two-part final composed of the low back unrounded vowel
aa [«■], plus the consonant stop t. t is produced as described above,
with the tongue tip stopping the air flow at the dental ridge at the
base of the upper teeth, with the air unreleased. aa before t is
produced the same way as before the other final stops ( -k and -p).
The nearest American counterpart to aat is the ot sound in general
American "hot," [a], but the Cantonese syllable is more backed, and
somewhat longer in the isolated syllable.
Listen and repeat:
chat (3 times)
bat (3 times)
maht (3 times)
129
lessor 6 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
3. at/aat contrasts
Listen and repeat:
1. bat baat (3 times)
2. baat bat (3 times)
3. baat baat bat bat (3 times)
k. bat bat baat baat (3 times)
5. chat baat baat chat . (3 times)
6. maht baat (3 times)
7. baat maht (3 times)
8. baat maht maht baat (3 times)
9. chat baat mailt (3 times)
10. maht baat chat (3 times)
4. eui
Listen and repeat-(Remember that the eui final is rounded
throughout, that the i part here represents that rounded yu [u]
sound, and that a rounded vowel has a rounding effect on a
consonant preceding it in a syllable) :
1. cheuihbln (3 times) fX$-
2. cheuih (3 times)
3. seui (3 times)
k. deuimhjyuh (3 times)
5. deui (3 times) Jft
5. au/aau practice
Listen and repeat: (Watch the teacher)
1. gau , gau , gau .
2. gaau , gaau , gaau .
3. gau gaau , gau gaau , gau gaau .
k. gaau gau , gaau gau , gaau gau
5. gau gaau gaau gau
6. gaau gau gau gaau
7. mhgau«ft^ mhgaau"M5L
8. gau mhgau a? , gaau mhgaau a? .
9. Jau gau mhgau a? j||^-ft^"Jt t
10. fthgau jau.
130
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 6
6. eut , as in seutsaam
eut is a two-part final composed of the single vowel eu and the
consonant stop t. eu before t is a lowered mid front rounded vowel
[ ce] produced the same way as before n and i. The t as final is
produced as elsewhere as final, with the tongue tip stopping the flow
of air at the dental ridge, near the base of the upper teeth, un-
released — [t" 1 ]. There is no close comparison in American English to
the eut sound, though the "slut" of "seutsaam" is a transliteration
into Cantonese of the English word "shirt."
Listen and repeat: (Remember that the rounded vowel has a rounding
effect on the consonant preceding it in a syllable)
1. seutsaam (3 times) "t& /f ''/
2. seut seut seut , seut seut seut . Wp. '|&.
3. seut seui (3 times) Wsl 4f~
k. seui seut (3 times)
5. seut jeun (3 times) Hit ^
6. jeun seut (3 times) "W 11 -
7. eu before dentals in contrast to eu before velars: Notice the dif-
ference in tongue height of eu before the dentals t, n, and yji
(spelled i following eu) ; and eu before the velar nasal ng. The eu
is relatively lowered before the dentals, raised before the velar.
1. seut seun seung seung
2. seut seut leuhng leuhng
3. seui seui seung seung
k. deui deui Jeung Jeung
5. jeun jeun Jeung Jeung
6. jeun jeun seung seung
131
LESSON 6
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
II. NOTES
1. Numbers 20 - 99
a. 20 through 90. For the even 10' s the Cantonese use a multiplying
formula: two-ten's, three-ten's, etc.
20. yihsahp 60. luhksahp
30. saamsahp 70. chatsahp
kO. seisahp 80. baatsahp
50. nghsahp 90. gausahp
b. 21 through 99. For these numbers which are not the even 10' s, a
combination of the multiplying and adding formula is used: two-
ten' s-one, two-ten' s-two, etc.
21. yihsahpyat
22. yihsahpyih
23. yihsahpsaam etc., to
99. gausahpgau
c. Full forms and abbreviated forms:
There is a full form and an abbreviated form for the numbers
from twenty co ninety-nine. Both forms are used in everyday
speech. The contracted form shortens the sahp element to -ah- .
Full form
Abbreviated form
20
yihsahp
yah
21
yihsahpyat
yahyat
22
yihsahpyih
yahyih
30
saamsahp
sa' ah
31
saamsahpyat
sa' ahyat
ko
seisahp
sei'ah
50
nghsahp
ngh'ah
60
luhksahp
luhk'ah
70
chatsahp
chat' ah
80
baatsahp
baat'ah
90
gausahp
gau'ah
99
gausahpgau
gau ' ahgau
(See Drill 6 )
132
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON 6
2. Measures
In Lesson 4 we touched briefly on Measures, saying they were
a class of word in Cantonese which comes between a number (or a
limited set of other entities) and a noun.
Ex: M N
ngoh go blu >»y watch
saam go gwat three-quarters
In English some nouns are counted in terms of a measure of their
volume or size or shape. For example, we do not ordinarily say
'a water,' but rather 'a glass of water,' 'a gallon of water,'
'a tub of water,* etc. In English 'glass, gallon, tub' type words are
measures used in counting nouns perceived as a mass — (sand, bread,
milk, tobacco, etc.) but not ordinarily in counting nouns perceived
as individual units — (pencil, man, shirt, etc.)
In Chinese, however, a measure word precedes every noun when
it is counted. For a mass-type noun the measure is variable — one
cup, bowl, pound, etc. of rice, for example — but every individual-
type noun has its own invariable measure which is by nature a pronoun
standing in apposition to the noun,
a. Individual Measures
In Lesson Six you will encounter several new individual
measures.
Ex: M Noun
1. yat tiuh taai one [M] tie = one tie
2. ngoh ba je my umbrella = my umbrella
3. keuih gihn siutsaam his [M] shirt = his shirt
The individual measures are in apposition to the noun that
follows. Some individual measures have a degree of independent
meaning apart from their structural function. For example, ba
means ' handle, * and is a measure for objects having handles,
tiuh means 'strip* and is a measure for objects which are long and
narrow in shape. However, go, statistically the most frequent
measure, has no independent meaning of its own.
What we have called individual measures some writers have
called classifiers, indicating that nouns are classified according
133
LESSON 6 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
to shape. We use the wider term 'measure' to cover individual
measures and other types of measure as well.
(See Drills 1. 2, 3, jO
b. Group Measures
In addition to individual measures, there are other types of
measures. One type is the group measure. An example is deui . 'pair.'
Structurally group measures do not differ from individual measures —
they fill the same position in a sentence that individual measures
do, and combine with the same kinds of words. Semantically, of
course, a group measure differs from an individual measure.
Ex: Measure + Noun
yat deui haaih one pair shoes = one pair
of shoes
yat jek haaih one [M] shoe = one shoe
What we call group measures some writers have called
'collective' measures.
c. Standard Measures
Another type of measure is the standard measure. In English
we talk of 'standard weights and measures' — pounds, inches, gal-
lons, etc. This is the type involved in the Cantonese category
of standard measure. The standard measure is of itself a meaning-
ful unit. Some examples which you have encountered so far are:
Number + Standard Measure
yat man one dollar
yat dim one o'clock (hour)
yat fanjung one minute
Standard measures, like all measures, may follow a number
directly. They differ from individual and group measures in that
they are not in apposition to a following noun, and do not depwnd
on a following noun to give them meaning. Thus they are measures
only in the grammatical sense; they behave like measures in that
they follow numerals directly. Semantically they are like nouns.
13<*
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 6
3. Nouns
A word which requires a measure between a number and itself is
classed as a noun in Cantonese.
Ex: Number + Measure + Noun
leuhng gihn seutsaam
saam go biu
sei go jih
two shirts
three watches
k figures (in reference
to time, k numbers on
the clock dial, i.e.
20 minutes)
k. Measure as substitute for noun .
In a follow sentence a measure substitutes for the noun it
represents. In this way a measure operates like a pronoun.
Ex: A. Ngoh maaih leuhng
tluhtaai.
I'm buying two [M] ties.
B. Bin leuhng tiuh a? Which two [ ones ]?
C . Ni leuhng tiuh . These two [ ones ] .
(See BC and Drills 3^ )
5. Measure without preceding number .
We noted in Lesson 2 that nouns do not indicate singular and
plural in Cantonese, (seutsaam = shirt, shirts) The use of a measure
without a number preceding it indicates singular number.
Sx: 1. Keuih seung maaih
seutsaam.
2. Keuih seung maaih gihn
seutsaam.
1. He wants to buy some
shirts, or
He wants to buy a
shirt*
2. He wants to buy a
shirt.
(See BC)
6. mhsai not used in affirmative.
The verb sai 'need,' 'have to,' is used in the negative and in
choice-type question, but not in the affirmative.
Sx: Q: Sai mhsai maaih luhk
gihn gam do a?
A: Mhsai maaih luhk gihn —
saam gihn gau laak.
(See Drills 1. 3. 12 )
Do you need to buy 6 —
so many? (doubtful
that it is necessary)
I don't need 6 — 3 are
enough.
135
LESSOR 6
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
To answer a sai mhsai ? question affirmatively you use yiu
'require,' 'need,' 'have to.'
Ex: Q: Sai mhsai maaih luhk Do you need to buy so
gihn gam do a? many as six?
A: Yiu maaih luhk gihn — I need to buy six —
saam gihn mhgau. three aren't enough.
(See Drill 12 )
7. Free words and boundwords
Words in Cantonese which can be spoken as one word sentences
are free words , and ones which are never spoken as a one-word
sentence, but always with some other word accompanying, are boundwords .
Words which are always bound to an element which follows them we call
right-bound (b-), and ones which are always bound to an element which
precedes them we call left-bound (-b). Some boundwords can be bound
in either direction.
8. nl, 'this,' and go, 'that' classed as specifiers.
nl, 'this,' and go, 'that,' are boundwords functioning as
modifier in a Noun Phrase (NP). They are right bound, bound to a
following element or elements, commonly a measure, or a number +
measure:
Ex: nil/go nu . M
nl gihn = this one [this M]
go leuhng go = those two [that-two-M]
(See BC and Drills 2. 3, 11 )
Note the word order of ni/go constructions:
N/Pro . ni/go Nu. M N
1. nl leuhng gihn seutsaam these two shirts
2. go sei ba je those k umbrellas
3. ngoh nl leuhng tiuh taai these two ties of
mine
(See Drills 1, 11 )
nl and go fill a position in a sentence that can be occupied
by only a few words, bin ? ' which ? ' fills this same position. We use
the class name Specifier to refer to this small group.
We call nl and jjo 'this' and 'that' to give you memory-aid
definitions. More specifically, nl refers to what is relatively
near, and £0 to what is relatively distant.
136
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE lesson 6
9. Relative word order of direct and indirect object .
Some verbs, such as bei , 'give,' take two objects: a direct
object (thing), and indirect object (usually a person). In Cantonese
the word order is Verb + Direct object + Indirect object.
Verb + Direct obj + Indirect obj
Bei nl gihn ngoh la. Give this one (to) me.
Bei saam man keuih la. Give $3 (to) him.
(See BC and Drills 11, 12, 15 )
10. gei(do) ? , 'how many, how much?' as an interrogative number.
geido ? and
occupying the position in a question-word sentence that a number
occupies in the response sentence. In this frame gei(do ) is classed
as an interrogative number. As a number it precedes a measure.
Ex: Number Measure
Keuih maaih gei (do) gihn a? How many is he going
to buy?
Keuih maaih saam gihn. He's going to buy
three.
(See BC and Drill 9 )
You will remember that gei has another meaning which you en-
countered in Lesson Four, gei , 'several' is an approximate number
and is distinguished from gei ?^ 'how manyTj' in a sentence by the pre-
sence of the sentence suffix a in the question sentence but not in
the statement sentence.
Ex: 1. Keuih seung maaih gei He's thinking of buying
gihn. several.
2. Keuih seung maaih gei How many is he thinking of
gihn a? buying?
11. geidS? , 'how many?' and gei-? , 'how many?' differentiated.
The difference between gei£? and geidS? is that gei£? is a boundword
bound to a following Measure, and geido ? is a free word which can be
bound to a following measure as modifier (in which case it is interchange-
able with gei-? ) , but may also be head in a nominal construction, which
gei-? cannot.
Exi 1. Keuih seung maaih (gei ~? gihn a? 1. How many [Ms] does he
[geids]
2. Keuih seung maaih geido a? 2. How many does he want?
137
LESSON 6
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
12. fth.il... fa? , as polite question form: •! wonder...?, 1 i.e., 'I wonder
(if you could tell me)...?
By extension mh.ll . 'don't know,' may be taken to mean something like
'I wonder...?' 'Could you tell me...?' a polite way of making a question
without being abrupt. By adding the sentence suffix a or ne to the end
of the negative sentence, the negative is transformed to the polite
'I wonder...?' question.
Ex: fthjl yiu geidS chin.
fthjl yiu geidd" chin$nS? ?
(i)don't know how much it costs.
(i) wonder how much it costs?
(You assume that the person
you're talking to does know
and in this indirect way
prompt him to tell you.)
138
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 6
III. DRILLS
1. Expansion Drill: (Students repeat sentence after the teacher.
♦ 1. a. Maaih yuhlau .
b. Maaih gihn yuhlau.
c. Maaih ngh gihn yuhlau.
d. Maaih nl ngh gihn yuhlau.
1. a. Buy a raincoat/raincoats .
b. Buy a raincoat.
c. Buy 5 raincoats.
d. Buy these 5 raincoats.
e. Ngoh maaih nl ngh gihn yuhlau. e. I'll take these 5 rain-
coats.
2. a. Maaih fu.
( slacks , trousers . long -
pants )
♦ b. Maaih tiuh fu.
( M. for trousers )
c. Maaih leuhng tiuh fu.
d. Maaih nl leuhng tiuh fu.
e. Maaih nl leuhng tiuh fu ill
♦ 3. a. Maaih maht .
+ b. Maaih deui maht.
c. Maaih saam deui maht.
d. flhsai maaih saam deui maht.
e. flhsai maaih saam deui maht
laak.
+ k. a. Maaih bat .
( writing implements )
♦ b. Maaih ji bat.
( M. for bat )
♦ c. Maaih ji yuhnbat .
d. Seung maaih ji yuhnbat.
e. Mhseung maaih ji yuhnbat.
f. Seung mhseung maaih ji
yuhnbat a?
2. a. Buy slacks.
b. Buy a pair of slacks.
c. Buy two pairs of slacks.
d. Buy these two pairs of
slacks.
e. Buy these two pairs of
slacks!
3. a. Buy socks .
b. Buy a pair of socks.
c. Buy three pairs of socks.
d. You don't need to buy
three pairs of socks.
e. You don't need to buy 3
pairs of socks just
now.
k. a. Buy pens (or pencils)
b. Buy a pen (or pencil)
c. Buy a pencil .
d. Want to buy a pencil
e. Don't want to buy a
pencil.
f. Do (you) want to buy a
pencil?
or
Are you planning to buy
a pencil?
139
LESSON 6 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
or
Would you like to buy a
pencil?
♦
5.
a.
Jung.
5.
a.
Clock
b.
Maaih jung.
b.
Buy clock(s)
c.
Maaih go jung.
c.
Buy a clock.
d.
Seung naaih go jung.
d.
Plan to buy a clock.
e.
Seung maaih leuhng go
inner m.
e.
Plan to buy two clocks.
* •
N<roh flfiunc maaih leuhnc
go jung.
f .
I plan to buy two clocks.
+
6.
a*
Kwahn.
6.
a.
Skirt
b.
Haaih kwahn.
b.
Buy skirt(s).
c.
Naaih tiuh kwahn.
c.
Buy a skirt.
■f
d.
Maaih tiuh daikwahn
(slip, petticoat)
d.
Buy a slip.
e.
Maaih leuhng tiuh dai-
kwahn.
e.
Buy two slips.
f.
Seung maaih leuhng tiuh
daikwahn.
f .
Wish to buy two slips.
g«
Ngoh seung maaih leuhng
tiuh daikwahn.
g.
I wish to buy two slips.
f •
Siu ji
7.
a.
Lady
b.
Go wai siule
b.
That lady (wai = polite
M for person)
c.
Slk go wai siuje.
c.
Know that lady
d.
•
fthslk (to wai siule.
d.
Not know that lady.
0 #
Nsroh mhs^k. so wai. sluie*
e .
I don* t know that lady.
+
8.
a.
Je
8.
a.
Umbrella
+
b.
Ba je
(M. for umbrella)
b.
An umbrella
c.
Maaih nl ba je.
c.
Buy this umbrella.
d.
Maaih nl ba je, geido
chin a?
d.
How much does this rain-
coat cost?
e.
Maaih nl ba je yiu geido
chin a?
e.
How much (do you) want
for this raincoat?
(yiu + money expression =
want X amount, costs X
amount, i.e., the asking
price)
IkO
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 6
f. Ngoh mhji maaih nl ba je
yiu geido chin.
+ g. Ngoh mhji maaih nl ba je yiu
geido chin a?
[( Ngoh) mhji... a ? =
I wonder... ? i.e. polite
question introduction]
f. I don't know how much
this umbrella is.
g. I wonder how much this
raincoat is?
2. Transformation Drill: Transform the sentences from affirmative to
choice type question.
Ex: T: Nl gihn seutsaam T: This shirt is thirteen dollars,
sahpsaam man.
S: Nl gihn seutsaam
haih mhhaih sahp-
saam man a?
S: Is
this shirt thirteen dollars?
1.
Nl gihn seutsaam aahpyat mar
i. 1.
Ni gihn seutsaam haih mhhaih
sahpyat man a?
+ 2.
Go tiuh taai sei man.
That tie is four dollars.
2.
Go tiuh taai haih mhhaih sei
man a?
3.
Nl tiuh fu sahpsaam man.
3.
Nl tiuh fu haih mhhaih sahp-
saam man a?
+
Go deui haaih yahngh man.
That pair of shoes is
twenty-five dollars.
k.
Go deui haaih haih mhhaih
yahngh man a?
5.
Nl deui maht saam man.
5.
Nl deui maht haih mhhaih
saam man a?
6.
Go ba je aahpyat man.
6.
Go ba je haih mhhaih sahp-
yat man a?
7.
Nl gihn yuhlau sahpgau man.
7.
Nl gihn^yuhlau haih mhhaih
sahpgau man a?
8.
Ni go blu ngh'ahgau man.
8.
Ni go biu haih mhhaih ngh'ah-
gau man a?
+ 9.
Go ji yuhn.libat vat man.
That ball point pen is
9.
Go ji yuhnjibat haih mhhaih
yat man a?
one dollar.
3. Response Drill: Teacher should point to a spot near himself for
ni-. students should point away for go-, to link the words with
the situation.
Ex: T: Nl gihn sahpyat man. T: This one is eleven dollars.
S: Go gihn dou yiu S: That one is eleven dollars,
sahpyat man.
LESSON 6 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
1. Ni tiuh sahpsei man.
2. Nl deui lufak man.
3. Nl gibn 8ahpbaat man.
k. Nl ji yat man.
5. Nl go yahgau man.
+ 6* Nl tiuh daifu ngh man.
( underpants . under shorts )
Comment: Note that in the sentences above, numbered money
expressions stand as predicate without the inclusion
of a verb. The inclusion of haih is, however, also
permitted: Ni gihn haih sahpyat man . "This one is
111 1 . " " ^
1. Go tiuh dou yiu sahpsei man.
2. Go deui dou yiu luhk man.
3. Go gihn dou yiu sahpbaat man.
Go ji dou yiu yat man.
5* Go go dou yiu yahgau man.
6. Go tiuh daifu dou yiu ngh
<f. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Nl gihn yuhlau sahp T:
man.
S: Ni gihn yuhlau sahp S:
man, go gihn dou
haih sahp man*
1. Ni gihn seutsaam sahpngh man.
2. Nl deui haaih yahluhk man.
3. Ni ba je sahpchat man.
4. Ni tiuh fu yahyih man.
5. Ni tiuh taai baat man.
This raincoat is $10.
This raincoat is S10.
That one is also $10.
1. Ni gihn seutsaam sahpngh man,
jo gibn dou haih sahp-
ngh man.
2. Ni deui haaih yahluhk man,
go deui dou haih yahluhk
man*
3. Ni ba jje sahpchat man,
go ba dou haih sahpchat
man*
k. Ni tiuh fu yahyih man, go
tiuh dou haih yahyih man.
5* Ni tiuh taai baat man,
go tiuh dou haih baat man.
5. Substitution Drill: Repeat the first sentence after the teacher,
then substitute the cues as appropriate to make new sentences.
1. Ngoh seung maaih gihn yuhlau. 1. Ng6h seung maaih gihn
I want to buy a raincoat. yuhlau.
2. /go go yahn/ 2. Go go yahn seung maaih gihn
yuhlau .
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 6
3. Go go Yinggwokyahn.
4. deui maht
+ 5. Go go siuje
( woman )
♦ 6. Go wai slnsaang
( man )
7. tiuh fu
That man wants to buy this
raincoat.
3. Go go Yinggwokyahn seung
maaih gihn yuhlau.
4. Go go Yinggwokyahn seung
maaih deui maht.
5. Go go siuje seung maaih deui
maht.
That lady wants to buy a
pair of socks.
6. Go wii slnsaang seung maaih
deui maht.
7* Go wai slnsaang seung maaih
tiuh fu.
6. Transformation Drill: Transform the numbers from full form to
abbreviated form.
Ex: T: Nl tiuh saamsahp man. T: This one is thirty dollars*
S: Nl tiuh sa'ah man. S: This one is thirty dollars.
1.
Nl tiuh
[24]
yihsahpsei man.
1.
Nl
tiuh
yahsei man.
2.
Nl tiuh
[27]
yihsahpchat
man.
2.
Nl
tiuh
yahchat man.
3.
Nl tiuh
[35]
saamsahpngh
man.
3.
Nl
tiuh
sa'ahngh man.
4.
Nl tiuh
[32]
saamsahpyih
man.
4.
NI
tiuh
sa'ahyih man.
5.
Nl tiuh
[48]
seisahpbaat
man.
5.
Nl
tiuh
sei'ahbaat man.
6.
Nl tiuh
[46]
seisahpluhk
man.
6.
Nl
tiuh
sei'ahluhk man.
7.
Nl tiuh
[54]
nghsahpsei 11
lan.
7.
Nl
tiuh
ngh'ahsei man.
8.
Nl tiuh
[51]
nghsahpyih 1
lan.
8.
Nl
tiuh
ngh'ahyih man.
9.
Nl tiuh
[65]
luhksahpngh
man.
9.
Nl
tiuh
luhk'ahngh man.
10.
Nl tiuh
luhksahpgau
man.
10.
Nl
tiuh
luhk'ahgau man.
[69]
143
LESSOK 6 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
7. Response Drill: Teacher points away
Ex: T: Go tiuh fu sahp T:
man. /baat man/
S: Nl tiuh baat man je. S:
1. Go deuihaaih yahsaam man.
/yahyat man/
2. Go deui mabt luhk man. /sei man/
3. Go tiuh fu sahpyih man.
/sahp man/
1*. Go go blu sa'ahngh man*
/yahchat man/
5. Go gihn yuhlau yibsahp man.
/sahpgau man/
for go-, students near for nl-.
That pair of trousers is ten
dollars.
This pair is only eight dollars.
1. Nl deui yahyat man je.
2. Nl deui sei man je.
3. Nl tiuh sahp man je.
**. Nl go yahchat man je.
5. Nl gihn sahpgau man je.
8. Response Drill
Ex: T: Nl gihn sahpluhk
man.
S: Gam, go gihn haih
mhhaih dou haih
sahpluhk man a?
1. Ni ba sahpbaat man.
2. Nl tiuh ngh man.
3. Nl gihn sahpsei man.
k. Nl deui yahsaam man.
5. Keuih haih Gwongdungyahn.
/keuih pahngyauh/
T: This one is sixteen dollars.
S: Well, is that one sixteen
dollars too?
1. Gam, go ba haih mhhaih dou
haih sahpbaat man a?
2. Gam, go tiuh haih mhhaih
dou haih ngh man a?
3. Gam, go gihn haih mhhaih
dou haih sahpsei man a?
k. Gam^ go deui haih mhhaih
dou haih yahsaam man a?
5. Gam, keuih_pahngyauh haih
mhhaih dou haih Gwong-
dungyahn a?
9. Response Drill
Ex: T: Neih maaih geido T: How many do y° u wan * *° ^"v.,
gihn a? /ngh/ /5/ are yow 8 ° in « to * et?
S: Ngoh maaih ngh gihn. S: I want five.
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 6
1. Neih maaih geido ba a?
/leuhng/
2. Neih maaih geido tiuh a? /saam/
3. Neih aaaih geido deui a? /luhk/
't. Neih aaaih geido gihn a? /sei/
5. Neih maaih geido ji a? /sei/
6. Neih maaih geido go a? /
/sahpyih/
1. Ngoh maaih leuhng ba.
2. Ngoh maaih saam tiuh.
3« Ngoh maaih luhk deui.
k. Ngoh maaih sei gihn.
5. Ngoh maaih sei ji.
6. Ngoh maaih sahpyih go.
a. Repeat, teacher cuing with Measure and number only, students
giving question and answer, thus:
T: /gihn/ngh/ T: /M:/5/
SI: Neih maaih geido SI: How many are you going to buy?
gihn a?
S2: Ngoh maaih ngh S2: I'm going to buy 5.
gihn.
10. Expansion Drill
Sx: T: Maaih seutsaam. T: Buy shirts.
S: Keuih maaih gihn S: She's buying a shirt,
seutsaam.
Note that the measure is not cued, that student must supply it.
1.
Maaih
fu.
1.
Keuih
maaih
tiuh fu.
2.
Maaih
taai.
2.
Keuih
maaih
tiuh taai.
3.
Maaih
maht.
3.
Keuih
maaih
deui maht.
4.
Maaih
k.
Keuih
maaih
ba je.
5.
Maaih
haaih.
5.
Keuih
maaih
deui haaih.
6.
Maaih
yuhlau.
6.
Keuih
maaih
gihn yuhlau.
7.
Maaih
seutsaam.
7.
Keuih
maaih
gihn seutsaam.
8.
Maaih
blu.
8.
Keuih
maaih
go blu.
9.
Maaih
Chiang.
9.
Keuih
maaih
go chaang.
10.
Maaih
kwahn.
10.
Keuih
maaih
tiuh kwahn.
11.
Maaih
daikwahn.
11.
Keuih
maaih
tiuh daikwahn.
12.
Maaih
pihnggwo.
12.
Keuih
maaih
go pihnggwo.
13.
Maaih
bat.
13.
Keuih
maaih
ji bat.
Ik.
Maaih
yuhnbat.
1^.
Keuih
maaih
ji yuhnbat.
15.
Maaih
yuhnjibat.
15.
Keuih
maaih
ji yuhnjibat.
1^5
LESSON 6 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
16. Maaih bejau. 16. Keuih maaih ji bejau.
17. Maaih jung. 17. Keuih oaaih go jung.
11. Expansion Drill: Expand the given sentence by adding the cue word
in the appropriate place.
Ex: T: Bei_leuhng tiuh
taai ngoh la. /nl/
S: Bei nl leuhng tiuh
taai ngoh la.
T: Give me two ties, /this/
S: Give me these two ties.
1. Bei ba ngoh la. /nl/
2. Bei tiuh fu ngoh la. /go/
3. Bei deui maht ngoh la. /luhk/
k. Bei saam gihn ngoh la. /go/
5. Bei saam tiuh ngoh la. /nl/
6. Bei leuhng tiuh ngoh la. /taai/
7. Bei go deui haaih ngoh la.
/leuhng/
8. Bel leuhng gihn sou t saam ngoh
15. /go/
1. Bei nl ba ngoh la.
2. Bei go tiuh fu ngoh la.
3. Bei luhk deui maht ngoh la.
4. Bei go saam gihn ngoh la.
5. Bei nl saam tiuh ngoh la.
6. Bei leuhng tiuh taai ngoh
la.
7. Bei go leuhng deui haaih
ngoh la.
8. Bei go leuhng gihn seutsaam
ngoh la.
9. Bei tiuh kwahn ngoh la. /go/ 9. Bei go tiuh kwahn ngoh la.
12. Response Drill
Ex: 1. T: Neih maaih mh-
maaih nl deui
haaih a? /nod/
S: Hou, bei nl deui
ngoh la.
2. T: Neih maaih mh-
maaih nl deui
haaih a? /shake/
S: flhmaaih laak.
1. Neih maaih mhmaaih nl gihn
seutsaam a? /nod/
2. Neih maaih mhmaaih nl gihn
yuhlau a? /nod/
T: Are you going to get this pair
of shoes? Do you want this
pair of shoes?
St OK, give me that pair.
T: Do you want this pair of
shoes?
S: Not today, thanks, [not buy
now.]
1. Hou, bei nl gihn ngoh la.
2. Hou, bei nl gihn ngoh la.
Ik6
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 6
3. Neih maaih mhmaaih nl ba je
a? /shake/
k. Neih maaih mhmaaih nl tiuh
fu a? /shake/
5. Neih maaih mhmaaih ni deui maht
a? /nod/
6. Neih maaih mhmaaih nl tiuh
taai a? /shake/
7. Neih maaih mhmaaih nl deui
haaih a? /nod/
8. Neih maaih mhmaaih nl ji
yuhnbat a? /shake/
9. Neih maaih mhmaaih nl go blu
a? /nod/
Comment: In these sentences idi
maaih might be • take
'buy.'
3. fthmaaih laak.
k. fthmaaih laak.
5. Hou, bei nl deui ngoh la.
6. fthmaaih laak.
7. Hou, bei nl deui ngoh la.
8. fthmaaih laak.
9. Hou, bei nl go ngoh la.
matic English counterparts for
• 'get,* 'want,* as well as
13. Expansion/Substitution Drill: Expand or substitute as appropriate
with the cue provided.
Ex: T: Maaih nl gihn.
/ngoh/
S: Ngoh maaih nl gihn.
T: /go gihn/
S: Ngoh maaih go gihn.
1. Go go yahn maaih seutsaam.
/seung/
That man is buying shirts.
2. /gihn/
3. /leuhng/
^. /geidS/
5. /«ei/
6. /mhseung/
T: Buy this one. /I/
S: I'll take this one.
(said to clerk in store)
T: That one.
S: I'll take that one.
(said to clerk)
1. Go go yahn seung maaih
seutsaam.
That man wants to buy
shirts.
2. Go go yahn seung maaih gihn
seutsaam.
3. Go go yahn seung maaih
leuhng gihn seutsaam.
k. Go go yahn seung maaih
geido gihn seutsaam a?
5. Go go yahn seung maaih sei
gihn seutsaam.
6. Go go yahn mhseung maaih
sei gihn seutsaam.
lV7
LESSOR 6 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
7. /seung mhseung a?/ 7« Go g6 yihn seung mhseung
maaih sei gihn seutsaam a?
8. /leuhng tiuh taai/ 8. Go go yahn seung mhseung
maaih leuhng tiuh taai a?
Ik. Conversation Exercise:
Ex: A: Ahsai maaih luhk
gihn seutsaan,
saam gihn gau laak.
B: fthhaih. Saam gihn
mhgau; yiu maaih
luhk gihn.
1. A. ...saam deui maht;
Yat deui
B
2. A. ...leuhng ba jS;
Yat ba
B
3. A. ...sahp go chaang;
Gau go
B
k. A. ...chat ji bejau;
luhk ji
B
5. A. ...sei go beng;
Leuhng go. .....
B
You needn't buy 6 shirts;
3 is enough.
No, 3 isn't enough; I need to
get 6.
1. A. Ahsai maaih Baam deui
maht; yit deui gau laak.
B. fthhaih. Yat deui mhgau;
yiu maaih saam deui.
2. A. Ahsai maaih leuhng ba je;
yat ba gau laak.
B. fthhaih. Yat ba mhgau j
yiu maaih leuhng ba.
3. A. Ahsai maaih sahp go
chaang; gau go gau laak.
B. fthhaih. Gau go mhgau;
yiu maaih sahp go.
k. A. Ahsai maaih chat ji bejau;
luhk ji gau laak.
B. fthhaih. Luhk ji mhgau;
yiu maaih chat ji.
5. A. Ahsai maaih sei go beng;
leuhng go gau laak.
B. fthhaih. Leuhng go mhgau;
yiu maaih sei go.
Ik8
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 6
15. Response Drill: Respond affirmatively or negatively as directed,
following the pattern of the example.
Ex: 1. T: Yat ba je gau T: Is one umbrella enough?
mhgau a? /nod/
S: Gau laak. Yat ba S: Yes, one is enough,
gau laak.
2. T: Yat ba je gau T: Is one umbrella enough?
mhgau a? /shake/
S: Yat ba mhgau. ^ S: One is not enough. Please give
mhgoi neih bei me two.
leuhng ba ngoh
la.
1. Leuhng ji yuhnjlbat gau
mhgau a? /nod/
2. Yat gihn yuhlau gau mhgau a?
/shake/
3. Luhk ji heiseui gau mhgau a?
/nod/
4. Yat deui haaih gau mhgau a?
/shake/
5. Saam go pihnggwo gau mhgau a 7
/shake/
6. Leuhng go blu gau mhgau a?
/nod/
7. Sahp go beng gau mhgau a?
/shake/
1. Gau laak. Leuhng ji gau laak.
2. Yat^gihn mhgau. fthgoi neih
bei leuhng gihn ngoh la.
3. Gau laak. Luhk ji gau laak.
4. Yat deui mhgau. fthgoi neih
bei leuhng deui ngoh la.
5. Saam go mhgau. fthgoi neih
bei sei go ngoh la.
6. Gau laak. Leuhng go gau
laak.
7. Sahp go mhgau. fthgoi neih
bei sahpyat go ngoh la.
IV. CONVLRSATIONo FOR LISTENING
(On tape. Listen to tape with book closed.)
v. say it in Cantonese
A. You ask your neighbor:
1. What he wants to buy.
2. How many (ties) he wants.
3. How much these shoes cost.
k. Whether those (shoes) are
also $60.00 a pair.
B. And he replies:
1. That he wants to buy a tie.
2. He wants to buy two.
3. They are $60 a pair.
k. No, they are S65.
149
LESSOH 6 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
5. Whether three pairs of socks 5.
are enough.
6. How much that ballpoint pen 6.
is.
7. Whether 5 pencils are 7.
enough.
8. How much that petticoat 8.
costs.
9. Who that gentleman is. 9.
10. Who that lady is. 10.
That he doesn't need three
pairs — two pairs are enough.
That it is $1 — two sell for
SI. 90.
That five aren't enough-
he wants ten.
That it sells for $12.50.
That he doesn' t know.
That her name is Chan — she
teaches Cantonese.
Vocabulary Checklist for Le6son 6
1.
ba
m:
2.
bat
n:
3.
bei
v:
k.
chin
n/m:
5.
daifu
n:
6.
daikwahn
n:
7.
deui
m;
8.
fu
n:
9.
gau
adj:
10.
gei(do)
QW/nu:
11.
gihn
m:
12.
go
sp:
13.
go
m:
1^.
guhaak
n:
15.
haaih
n:
16.
n:
17.
a
m:
18.
jung
n:
19.
kwahn
n:
20.
maaih
v:
21.
maht
n:
M. for things with handles, such as
umbrellas
writing implement; pen or pencil
give
money
underpants, undershorts
slip, petticoat
pair; group measure for shoes, socks,
chopsticks
trousers
enough
how much? how many?
M. for clothes
that
general M. for nouns
customer (restricted use)
shoes
umbrella
M. for pen, pencil, bottles
clock
skirt
buy
socks
150
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 6
22. man m:
23. fthji(dou)...a? Ph:
2*f. nl sp:
25. sauhfoyuhn n:
26. seutsaam n:
27. sinsaang n:
28. siuje n:
29. taai n:
30. tiuh m:
31. wai m:
32. yahn n:
33. yiu + money expression v:
3^. yuhlau n:
35. yuhnbat n:
36. yuhnjlbat n:
dollar
I wonder...?
this
Salesclerk [ sell-goods-personnel]
shirt
man
lady, woman
tie
M. for trousers, ties, roads
polite M. for persons
person
wants X amount, costs X amount, (i.e.,
the asking price is X amount.)
raincoat
pencil
ball point pen
151
LESSON 7
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
CLASSROOM PHRASES
Below are some sentences for stu
try to memorize them all at once, but
1. Ngoh mhji dim gaai.
2. Hhgoi neih gaaialkhah.
3. Hhgoi neih geui go laih
lain taihah.
h. Hhgoi neih yuhng jouh
yat geui bei ngoh tenghah.
5. Hai meyeh sihhauh sinji
gong?
6. Hai meyeh chihngyihng sinji
gong?
7. A tuhng B yauh mouh
fanbiht?
8. A tuhng B yauh meyeh
fanbiht?
9. Ngoh nl geui yauh dl
mahntaih.
10. Ngoh nl go jih yauh dl
mahntaih.
11. Gam gong dak mhdak a?
12. hSu mbhou teng?
13. duhk meyeh sing a?
ents to say to the teacher. Don't
learn them as you find them useful.
I don't know what means.
[lit. I don't know how is
explained.]
Please explain.
Please give an example to demon-
strate.
Please use to make a sentence
for me to hear.
When do you say that? (i.e., in
what kind of situation?)
In what circumstances is that
said?
Is there any difference between
_A and _B ?
What is the difference between
_A and _B ?
I have a question about this
sentence.
I have a question about this word.
Is it OK to say it this/that way?
Does sound right?
What tone is ?
152
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 7
I. BASIC CONVEKSATION
A. Buildup :
(Custoaer and clerk in
fogei
Maaih aeyeh a?
Quhaak
haih ... liib g«
haih Hjib lath ga?
dl
nl dl
Ml dl haih aeyeh liih ga?
ngauhyuhk
III dlhaih ngauhyuhk.
oi. or ngoi
oi ihoi, or agoi ihngoi
Neih oi ihoi ne?
Qohaak
Jyuyuhk
dl Jyuyuhk
fthoi, ngoh siting oi dl jyuyuhk.
Qiido chin gin a?
Tonl
••i go luhk
ngahnohln
aei go luhk ngihnchln
aai go luhk ngahnohln gaa
Ml dl aei go luhk ngahnohln
gin.
153
grocery atora:)
elark
What will you hara?
i8...( grammatical structure
eaphaeising anelosad noun.)
is what?
mass measure; plural
measure
this (mass); thasa (units)
What's this ?
beef
This is bsaf.
want, want to poaasaa,
want to hara
want/not want?
Do you want sows?
pork
sons pork
No, I don't) I want to gat
some pork.
oatty (unit of measure ■
600 gas. ea. 1 1/3 pounds)
How such is it par catty?
f».60 [4 aeasure 6 ( disss) j
■onsy [silver-money]
$4.60 [4 dollars 6 (dimes)]
14.60 per catty
Thia is 14.60 per catty.
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSOR 7
Quhaak
bei ngoh la
leuhng gin
Bei leuhng gin ngoh la.
(They go erer to the
Quhaak
aaalh
din aaaih ae?
chiang dla aaaih ne?
Dl ehaang dla aaaih ne?
houh(ji)
figh houhjl go*
Quhaak
Dl pihnggwo ne?
Foaoi
yatyeuhng
Tatyeuhng— ngh houhji go.
Quhaak
tohng
bohng tohng
leuhng bohng tohng
A J Ngoh dou seung aaaih leuhng
bohng tohng.
gei chin a?
Qeido chin bohng a?
Fogei
lank houh bun
luhk houh bun jl
Luhk houh bun jl bohng.
B. Recapi tulation i
Haaih aeyeh a?
give (it to) ae pleaae
two catties
Please give ae two catties.
fruit section.)
sell
how sell?
oranges— ho* sell?
What do the oranges sell for?
dine
50^ [5 dimes] each.
And the applea?
saae
The saae— 50/ each,
sugar
a pound of sugar
two pounds of sugar
Ohl I also want to buy two
pounds of sugar*
how much aoney?
How much is it per pound?
65/ [6 dimes + half]
65* [6 dimes half diae]
65/ par pound.
What will you hare?
15*
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 7
Quhaak
Wl dl haih H7«h liih ga?
Fogei
Nl dl haih ngiuhyuhk. Neih oi
mhoi ne?
Quhaak
Hhoi, ngoh eeung oi dl jyuyuhk.
Qeido chin gin a?
Nl dl ael go luhk agihnchln
gin.
Quhaak
Bei leuhng gin ngoh la.
(They go over to the
Quhaak
Dl chaang dim aaaih ne?
Fogei
Ngh houhji go.
Guhaak
Dl plhnggwo ne?
Fflgel
Yatyeuhng-- ngh houhji go.
Quhaak
At Ngoh dou eeung maaih leuhng
bohng tohng. Qeido chin
bohng a?
Fogei
Luhk houh bun jl bohng.
What's this ?
This is beef. Do you want
some?
No, I don't; I want to get
some pork. Ho* much is it
per catty?
Thia is ft. 60 p«r catty.
Please give ae two catties,
fruit counter.)
What do the oranges sell for?
501 [5 dimes] each.
And the apples?
The same— 50/^ each.
Ohi I alao want to buy two
pounds of sugar. How much
is it per pound?
65ft per pound.
Note to teacher: In drill #2 of this lesson there are some
▼isual props needed which you may want to
assemble early.
+ + + + + + + + + + ♦ + + +
155
LESSON 7 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Pronunciation
1. Tone practice:
A. Tone practice with Measures: Repeat during the pauses provided:
1. man (= yard (in length) (3 times)
2. yat ji , yat ba , yat go ; yat tiuh , yat mah ,
yat gihn
3. yat ji, yat ba, yat go ; yat tiuh, yat mah, yat gihn
^. yat ji, yat tiuh , (3 times)
5. yat go, yat gihn (3 times); yat gihn, yat go . (3 times)
6. yat ba, yat mah (3 times); yat mah, yat ba . (3 times)
7. yat gihn, yat tiuh (3 times)
8. cheut (= M. for movie) . (3 times)
9. yat cheut, yat go, yat gihn ; yat gihn, yat go, yat cheut
10. ji ba go cheut , tiuh mah gihn .
11. ji ba go cheut tiuh mah gihn
B. Tone practice with Numbers:
1. lihng (= 'zero') . (3 times)
2. saam, gau sei ; lihng, ngh, yih .
3. saam, gau, sei, lihng, ngh, yih .
't. saam, gau, sei, chat ; lihng, ngh, yih .
3. saam, gau, sei, chat, lihng, ngh, yih .
6. chat sei , sei chat ; yih sei , sei yih .
7. gau ngh , ngh gau .
8. lihng yih , yih lihng
9. chat go, baat go, sahp go , sahp go, baat go, chat go .
10. sahp go, baat go; baat go, sahp go .
11. chat go, baat go , baat go, chat go .
12. gau go, leuhng go , leuhng go, gau go
2. ai/aai contrasts
Listen and repeat: (Notice that ai is shorter and
tenser in an isolated syllable than is aai ; that the
a of ai is a mid central vowel, whereas the aa of
aai is a low back vowel; that j. after a is high
front unrounded, after aa is somewhat lower (i after
a is more like the e» sound of English "see," after
156
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON 7
aa it is more like the i sound of English "is.")
1. gai gai gai , taai tiai taai »JL .
2. gai taai , taai gai .
3. haib haih baib , maaib maaib maaib .
baib mhhaih a? , maaib mhmaaih a? .
5. haih mhhaih a? , maaih mhmaaih a? .
6. Go wai taaitaai haib mhhaih maaih haaih a?
7. Janhaih mhsai maaih haaih.
3. maaih and maaih
Listen and repeat:
1. maaih, maaih , maaih, maaih .
2. maaih, maaih , maaih, maaih .
3. maaih mhmaaih a? , maaih mhmaaih a? .
k. maaih mhmaaih a? , maaih mhmaaih a?
5. mhseung maaih , mhseung maaih .
6. maaih leuhng go, maaih leuhng go ,
maaih leuhng go , maaih leuhng go .
h. yuk = y + uk
yuk is a syllable composed of y_ as initial and uk as a two-part
final, composed of the high back rounded vowel u plus the velar
consonant stop k. The high front rounded yu [ u 3 plus velar stop
consonant k doesn't occur as a two-part final in Cantonese. There-
fore the spelling yuk . which on paper could be ambiguously inter-
preted aa either yu ♦ k or y + uk, can only b» j + uk.
Listen and repeat:
1. Jyiyuhk Jyuyuhk ft ft
2. yuhk yuhk ft fa
3. luhk luhk ^ fa
k. yuhk luhk (2 times) $\-h
157
LESSON 7
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
i. NOTES
1. dl 'some,' as general plural measure for individual nouns
a. Plurality unspecified in number is expressed by the plural measure
dl . 'some.'
1. go pihnggwS = the apple, an apple
dl pihnggwo = the apples, some apples
2. nl go pihnggwo = this apple
nl dl pihnggwo = these apples
b. Individual nouns have different individual measures, but dl serves
as plural measure for all individual nouns.
Ex: 1. ba je = the umbrella, an umbrella
dl je = the umbrellas, some umbrellas
2. tiuh taai = the tie, a tie
dl taai = the ties , some ties
3. go chaang = the orange, an orange
dl chaang = the oranges , some oranges
(See BC and Drill k )
e. In a follow sentence dl substitutes for the noun it represents,
serving in such position as an impersonal pronoun.
Bei go dl chaang ngoh la. = Give me those [M] oranges.
Bei go dl ngoh la. = Give me those, [distant ones]
d. dl is not used as Measure following a number. When number is
specified, the individual measure follows the number.
Ex: sp+nu +m +n
nl dl je = these umbrellas
saam ba je = three umbrellas
nl saam ba je = these three umbrellas
(-) saam dl je — doesn't occur
(-)nl saam dl je « doesn't occur
(See BC and Drills 1.5. 1.6 )
158
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON 7
2. Mass Nouns
a. Mass nouns designate substances which are perceived in the mass
rather than as discrete units. For example:
tohng - 'sugar'
seui - 'water'
jyuyuhk - 'pork'
b. When counted, mass nouns do not use individual measures. Instead
they are counted in terms of their length, weight, or some
other standard; or in terms of a container of their volume; or
in terms of a segment of their whole.
Nu. +
M +
N
saam
bohng
tohng
= three
pounds of sugar
saam
man
bou
= three
yards of cloth
saam
bui
chah
= three
cups of tea
saam
faai
pai
= three
pieces of pie
Certain individual nouns may also be counted in terms of weight
or other standard; but they are not limited to being counted
this way:
Ex: saam bohng chaang = three pounds of oranges
saam go chaang = three oranges
c. Similarities and differences between individual and mass measures.
The standard/container/segment measures used in counting
mass nouns occupy the same position in the sentence that indivi-
dual measures occupy. The measures for mass nouns, however, differ
from individual measures in not being in apposition with the
following noun. They also differ in having independent meaning.
3. dl, general measure for mass nouns.
When mass nouns are particularized but not counted by number,
the plural measure dl serves as general mass measure for all mass
nouns. It is translated in English as 'the' in subject position,
'some,' 'a little,' in object position. Incorporated into a nl or go
compound, it translates as 'this' or 'that' in both subject and
object positions.
159
LESSON 7 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Sx: 1. Nidi ngauhyuhk yiu luhk 1. This beef costs $6.00
man gan. a catty.
2. Dx faahn dungjo. 2. The rice has totten cold.
3. Ngoh seung maaih dx 3» I'd like to buy some beef.
ngauhyuhk .
k. Neih seung yam dl meyeh k. You'd like to drink a little
a? " ~ what? (i.e. What would
you like to drink?)
(See BC and Drills 6, 7, 10, 11, 12 for
subject position examples: See BC and Drills
1, 2, 3 for object position examples.)
k. haih .. x . . laih 8 a?
V
haih .... laih ga? (& ge) is a phrase frame which has the effect
of emphasizing the noun it envelopes.
Ex: Nx dx haih meyeh a? What's this?
Nx dx haih meyeh laih What in the world is this?
ga?
Go go haih bxngo laih Who in the world is that?
ga?
(See BC and Drill Ik )
Note that the question: Ni dx haih meyeh laih ga? permits the
mass/plural dx regardless of whether the object referred to is unit
or mass, or whether, if unit, is singular or plural. If the item is
singular, using the singular pronoun is also permitted.
Ex: Q: Nx jx haih meyeh What's this ?
laih ga?
A: Ni jx haih yuhnbat It's a pencil ,
laih ge.
or Q: Nx dx haih meyeh What's this ?
laih ga?
A: Nx dl haih yuhnbat It's a pencil ,
laih ge.
5. Money Measures.
The unit of currency in Hong Kong is the Hong Kong dollar.
HK51.00 = US$0. 16 2/3; US$1.00 = approximately HK$6.00 in 1970.
a. The money measures used in counting money are the following:
1. man = measure for 'dollar,* used when the figure is a
round number. The word is derived from the first syllable
of the English word 'money.'
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 7
2. go ngahnchln = measure + noun. The compound of the two is
used to represent 'dollar* when the figure is a round
number. This form less common than the man form for
round number dollar figures. The basic meaning of
ngahnchln is ' money [literally 'silver-money']
Ex: saam go ngahnchln = three dollars
3. go = measure for 'dollar' when the figure is not a round
number.
Ex: $3.10 = saam go yat = three dollars one (dime)
= $3.10
k. houh( ji ) = measure for 'dime,' used when the amount is
less than one dollar.
Ex: saam houh(jl) = three dimes, i.e. thirty cents
Note (in #3 above) that when dimes are part of a money
expression which is larger than a dollar the dime
measure is not stated. That a number following the
dollar measure would indicate the dime number is pre-
dictable on the basis of the decimal system used in
counting money,
5. The penny measure is not used in Hong Kong, except perhaps
in banking. 5/ is expressed, however, thus:
sei houh bun = 'f dimes (and) half = k5jl
In fact bun following any measure is left-bound to that
measure, and means 'plus half that measure.'
Sx: saam go bun = three dollars and a half
b. '$1.00 apiece,' *$1.00 a pound' type phrases.
In 'one dollar apiece' expressions in Cantonese the order of
parts is irreversible with the money part coming first. (In
English the order is often reversible: '5 cents for two/two for
5 cents.'
In the Cantonese phrase, the last number of the money
measure must not directly precede the noun measure.
Ex: (read across)
161
LESSON 7 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Nu M Nu M Nu M
1. sei go sei ngahnchin ba*> k dollars k dimes
2. sei go sei yat baVfor one [M] =
, . ». . t . » | %h.kO each,
3. sei go sei ngahnchin yat ba I
(-) 4. sei go sei ba (not said this way)
5. eei go sei ngahnchin leuhng ba: k dollars h dimes
for two [M] = 2
for $4.40
(See BC and Drills 1, 6, 16.1 )
c. Omission of yat in certain 'one dollar' phrases.
When the dollar amount is one dollar and a fraction, the
numeral yat preceding the dollar measure go is ordinarily omitted
in the spoken language.
Ex: go yat = a dollar ten cents ($1.10)
go yat ngahnchin bohng = a dollar ten cents a pound
or go yat yat bohng ($1.10 per pound)
(See Drill 1.3 )
Yat is required, however, if the expression reaches a three-
figure number.
Ex: yat go baat houh bun ji bohng = $1.85 per pound
yat go baat houh bun = $1.85
6. Words belonging to more than one grammatical category.
Ex: ngahnchin = noun and measure: 'money' [silver-money]
nu ♦ m + nu ♦ m ( + n) *_jau + m t
1. sei go saam ngahnchin leuhng bohng = $4.30 for 2 pounds
2. saam go ngahnchin leuhng bohng = $3.00 for 2 pounds
3. saam man leuhng bohng = $3.00 for 2 pounds
In Sentence #1 above, ngahnchin is a measure, in #2 a noun.
In comparison with English, there are relatively few words in
Cantonese which belong to more than one grammatical category.
162
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 7
III. DRILLS
1. Expansion Drill: Repeat after the teacher:
1. a. Gan. 1. a.
b. Geido chin gan a? b.
c. Ngauhyuhk geido chin gan a? c.
d. Dl ngauhyuhk geido chin gan a? d.
e. Dl ngauhyuhk maaih geido chin e.
gan a?
f. Go dl ngauhyuhk oaaih geido f.
chin gan a?
g. Go dl ngauhyuhk maaih ugh g.
man gan*
♦ 2. a. Yu 2. a.
b. Dl yu. b.
c. Nl dl yu. c.
d. Nl dl yu geido chin gan a? d.
e. Nl dl yu aaam go sei ngahnchin e.
gan.
3. a. Go yih. 3. a.
(go + number, in a money
phrase = one dollar and
X number dimes)
b. Go yih ngahnchin. b.
+ c. Go yih ngahnchin baau . c.
+ d. Yln.jai go yih ngahnchin baau. d.
e. Dl ylnjai go yih ngahnchin e.
baau.
f. Nl dl ylnjai go yih ngahn- f.
chin baau.
g. Keuih wah nx dl ylnjai go g.
yih ngahnchin baau.
♦ 4. a. mah k. a.
b. Geido chin mah a? b.
♦ c. Dl boa geido chin mah a? c.
[ cloth, fabric, material ]
163
Catty (1-1/3 pounds)
How much per catty?
How much is beef per
catty.
How much is the beef per
catty?
How much does the beef
sell for per catty?
How much does that beef
sell for per catty?
That beef sells for fiTe
dollars per catty.
Fish
The fish (in the mass)
or These fish.
This fish (in the mass)
or These fish.
How much is this fish per
catty? or ...are these
fish.
This fish is $3. 'tO per
catty, or These are ...
$1.20
$1.20
$1.20 per paok(age)
Cigarettes are $1.20
per pack.
The cigarettes are $1.20
per pack.
These cigarettes are
$1.20 per pack.
He says these cigarettes
are $1.20 per pack.
yard (in length)
How much per yard?
How much is the cloth
per yard?
LESSOR 7
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
d. Nl dl bou geido chin man a?
«. Nl dl bou geido chin leuhng
man a?
f. Nl dl bou yahgau man leuhng
man*
♦ 5. *• 222 5
♦ b. bun bju ( M. for book )
c. Nl bun syu
d. Nl bun syu dim maaih a?
e. Nl leuhng bun syu dim maaih a?
f. Nl leuhng bun syu maaih yah
g. Nl leuhng bun syu maaih
yihsahp man bun.
+ 6. a. Gai. 6.
♦ b. Jek gai. ( M. for chicken )
c. Leuhng jek gai.
d. Nl leuhng jek gai.
e. Nl leuhng jek gai sei man
gan.
f . Nl leuhng jek gai maaih sei
man gan.
g. Nl leuhng jek gai maaih sei
go bun ngahnchin gan.
h. Keuih wah nl leuhng jek gai
maaih sei go bun ngahnchin
gan.
+ 7. a. Haaih . 7,
b. Jek haaih.
c. Bei jek haaih ngoh.
d. Ahgoi neih bei jek haaih
ngoh.
Comment: jek is also the M. for
d. How much is this cloth
per yard?
e. How much is this cloth
for 2 yards? How much
is 2 yards of this
cloth?
f. This cloth is *29 for 2
yards.
a. book
b. a/ the book
c. this book
d. How much is this book?
or How much does this
book sell for?
e. How much do these 2
books sell for?
f. These two books are
120.00.
g. These two books are
$20.00 each.
a. Chicken .
b. A/the chicken.
c. 2 chickens
d. These 2 chickens.
e. These 2 chickens are
%k a catty.
f. These 2 chickens sell
for %k per catty.
g. These 2 chickens sell
for $4.50 per catty.
h. He says these 2 chickens
sell for $4.50 per
catty.
a. Shoe
b. the/a shoe
c. Give me the shoe.
d. Please give me the shoe.
maht . 'socks,' 'stockings.'
16k
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 7
2. Response Drill
Ex: T: Ngoh seung maaih T: I want to buy some beef,
dl ngauhyuhk.
5: Keuih dou seung S: He also wants to buy some beef,
maaih dl ngauhyuhk.
1.
Ngoh
seung
maaih
ba je.
1.
Keuih dou seung
maaih
ba je.
2.
Ngoh
seung
maaih
dl jyuyuhk.
2.
Keuih dou seung
jyuyuhk.
maaih
dl
3.
Ngoh
seung
maaih
baau ylnjai.
3.
Keuih dou seung
ylnjai.
maaih
baau
k.
Ngoh
seung
maaih
dl tohng.
Keuih dou seung
tohng <
maaih
dl
5.
Ngoh
seung
maaih
tiuh yu.
5.
Keuih dou seung
yu.
Keuih dou seung
be jau.
maaih
tiuh
6.
Ngoh
seung
maaih
ji bSjau.
6.
maaih
ji
7.
Ngoh
seung
maaih
gihn seutsaam.
7.
Keuih dou seung
seutsaam.
maaih
gihn
3. Conversation Drill
Ex: T: /dl jyuyuhk/ T: /some pork/
SI: Maaih meyeh a? SI: May I help you?
S2: Ngoh seung maaih dl S2: I'd like to buy some pork.
jyuyuhk.
1. /dl ngauhyuhk/
2. /baau ylnjii/
3. /Jek gai/
*t. /bohng tohng/
5. /dl jyuyuhk/
1. A. Maaih meyeh a?
B. Ngoh seung maaih dl
ngauhyuhk.
2. A. Maaih meyeh a?
B. Ngoh seung maaih baau
ylnjai.
3. A. Maaih meyeh a?
B. Ngoh seung maaih jek gai,
k. A. Maaih meyeh a?
B. Ngoh seung maaih bohng
tohng.
5. A. Maaih meyeh a?
B. Ngoh seung maaih dl
jyuyuhk.
165
LESSOR 7 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
6. /tiuh yu/ 6. A. Maaih meyeh a?
B. Ngoh seung maaih tiuh yu.
7. /deui haaih/ 7. A. Maaih meyeh a?
B. Ngoh seung maaih deui
haaih.
h. Transformation Drill
Ex: T: Nl jinn seutsaam
geido chin a?
S: Nl d£ seutsaam geido
chin gihn a?
1. Nl baau ylnjai geido chin a?
2. Nl ba Je geido chin a?
3. Nl deui haaih geido chin a?
k. Nl gihn yuhlau geido chin a?
5. Nl tiuh fu geido chin a?
6. Nl gihn saam geido chin a?
How much is this shirt?
bar
How much are these shirts
apiece?
1. Nl dl ylnjai geido chin
baau a?
2. Nl dl je geido chin ba a?
3. Nl dl haaih geido chin
deui a?
k. Nl dl yuhlau geido chin
gihn a?
5. Nl dl fu geido chin tiuh a?
6. Nl dl saam geido chin gihn
a?
Comment: The individual Measures mean 'apiece,' 'each,'
following a money phrase: Standard Measures mean
•per M* '
Ex: Nl dl gai sei These chickens are $4.00
man gan. per catty.
Nl dl yuhnbat These pencils are 30^ each,
saam houhji ji.
Nl dl yuhnbSt
luhk houhji
leuhng ji.
These pencils are 60fS for
two.
5. Substitution Drill
Ex: T: jyuyuhk /gan/
S: Nl dl jyuyuhk geido
chin gan a?
1. /ngauhyuhk /gan/
166
T: pork /catty/
S: How much is this pork per
catty?
1. Nl dl ngauhyuhk geido chin
gan a?
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 7
2. /seutsaam/gihn/
2.
Ni di seutsaam geido cbln
gihn a?
3. /g5i/jek/
3.
Ni di gai geido chin jek a?
/bejau/ji/
Ni di bejau geido chin ji a?
5. /ylnjai/bSau/
5.
Ni di ylnjai geido chin baau
a?
6 . /tohng/bohng/
6.
Ni di tohng geido chin
?. /chaang/go/
7.
Ni di chaang geido chin go a?
8. /plhnggwo/go/
8.
Ni di pihnggwo geido chin
so a?
9. /jWgan/
9.
Ni di jlu geido chin gan a?
10. /daifu/tiuh/
10.
Ni di daifu geido chin tluh
a?
6. Transformation Drill
Ex: T: Ni di ngauhyuhk
saam go luhk
ngahnchln gan.
SI: Ni di ngauyuhk geido SI
chin gan a?
S2: Saam go luhk
ngahnchln gan.
1. Ni di jyuyuhk aei man gan.
2. Ni di ngauhyuhk ngh man bohng.
3. Ni di ylnjai go yih ngahnchln
baau.
k. Ni di daikwahn leuhng man tluh.
3. Ni di daikwahn go yih ngahnchln
gihn.
T: This beef is $3.60 per catty.
How much is this beef per
catty?
$3.60 per catty.
1. A. Ni di jyuyuhk geido chin
gan a?
B. Sei man gan.
2. A. Ni di ngauhyuhk geido
chin bohng a?
B. Agh man bohng.
3. A. Ni di ylnjai geido chin
baau a?
B. Go yih ngahnchln baau.
**. A. Ni di daikwahn geido
chin tluh a?
B. Leuhng man tluh.
5. A. Ni di daikwahn geido
chin gihn a?
B. Go yih ngahnchln gihn.
167
LESSON 7 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
7. Alteration Drill
Ex: T: Nl dl ngauhyuhk T:
dim maaih a?
S: Nl dl ngauhyuhk gei- S:
do chin gan a?
1. Nl dl jyuyuhk din maaih a?
/gan/
2. Nl dl gai dim maaih a? /gan/
3. Nl dl yu dim maaih a? /gan/
Nl dl bejau dim maaih a? /ji/
5. Nl dl tohng dim maaih a?
/bohng/
6. Nl dl ylnjai dim maaih a?
/baau/
How do you sell this beef? or
What does this beef sell for?
How much is this beef per
catty?
1. Nl dl jyuyuhk geido chin
gan a?
2. Nl dl gai geido chin gan a?
3. Nl dl yu geido chin gan a?
4. Nl dl bejau geido chin ji a?
5. Ni di tohng geido chin
bohng a?
6. Nl dl ylnjai geido chin
baau a?
8. Response Drill: Answer with '2' each time.
Ex: T: Neih oi mhoi ylnjai T: Do you want cigarettes?
S: Oi = Bei leuhng
baau ngoh la.
S: Yes - Give me two packs
please.
1.
Neih oi
mhoi
bejau a?
1.
Oi - Bei leuhng ji ngoh la.
2.
Neih oi
mhoi
ylnjai a?
2.
Oi - Bei leuhng baau ngoh
15.
3.
Neih oi
mhoi
ngauhyuhk a?
3.
Oi - Bei leuhng gan ngoh la.
k.
Neih oi
mhoi
tohng a?
h.
Oi - Bei leuhng bohng ngoh
la.
5.
Neih oi
mhoi
heiseui a?
5.
Oi - Bei leuhng ji ngoh la.
6.
Neih oi
mhoi
ylnjai a? /ji/
6.
Oi - Bei leuhng ji ngoh la.
(M for one cigarette)
9. Response Drill
Ex: 1. T: figh bohng gan T: Is five pounds enough?
mhgau a? /nod/
S: Gau laak. S: That's enough.
168
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 7
2. T: flgh bohng gau T: Is five pounds enough?
mhgau a? /shake/
S: Ahgau. Ngoh oi luhk S: No, I want to get six pounds,
bohng.
Note: Answer with one more than the given number in
response to the negative cue.
1. Sei bohng gau mhgau a? /nod/ 1. Gau laak.
2. Leubng baau gau mhgau a? /shake/ 2. Ahgau. Ngoh oi saam baau.
3. Luhk gan gau mhgau a? /shake/
k. Saam ji gau mhgau a? /nod/
5. Yat jek gau mhgau a? /shake/
6. Chat gihn gau mhgau a? /nod/
7. flgh tiuh gau mhgau a? /nod/
8. Baat deui gau mhgau a? /shake/
9. Gau go gau mhgau a? /shake/
3. Ahgau. Ngoh oi chat gan.
*t. Gau laak.
5. Ahgau. Ngoh oi leuhng jek.
6. Gau laak.
7. Gau laak.
8. Ahgau. Ngoh oi gau deui.
9. Ahgau. Ngoh oi sahp go.
10. Conversation Drill
Ex: A: Nl dl ylnjai dim A. What do these cigarettes sell
maaih a? for?
B: Go yih ngahnchin B. $1.20 per pack. How many packs
ba.au. Neih maaih do you want?
geido baau a?
A: Yat baau gau laak. A. One pack is enough.
1.
A.
1.
A.
Nl dl jyuhyuhk dim
maaih a?
B.
Ngh go sei ngahnchin gan.
B.
Ngh go sei ngahnchin gan.
Neih maaih geido gan
a?
A.
A.
Yat gan gau laak.
2.
A.
2.
A.
Nl dl bejau dim maaih a?
B.
Go baat ngahnchin ji.
B.
Go baat ngahnchin ji.
Neih maaih geido ji a?
A.
A.
Luhk ji gau laak.
3.
A.
3.
A.
Nl dl fu dim maaih a?
B.
Yahluhk go baat ngahnchin
tiuh.
B.
Yahluhk go baat ngahnchin
tiuh. Neih maaih geido
tiuh a?
A.
169
A.
Yat tiuh gau laak.
LESSOR 7 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
k. A. Nl dl bou
B. Sahpehat man man
A. Saam
5. A. Ni di tohng ?
B. Luhk houhji bohng....
A. Yit
6. A. Nl dl maht
B. Leuhng go bun ngahnchin
deui
A . Leuhng
k. A. Nl dl bou dim maaih a?
B. Sahpehat man mah.
Neih maaih geido mah a?
A. Saam mah gau laak.
5. A. Nl dl tohng dim maaih a?
B. Luhk houhji bohng.
Neih maaih geido bohng
a?
A. Yat bohng gau laak.
6. A. Nl di maht dim maaih a?
B. Leuhng go bun ngahnchin
deui. Neih maaih geidc
deui a?
A. Leuhng deui gau laak.
11. Combining Drill
Ex: T: Nl dl haih tohng.
Bei saam bohng
ngoh la.
S: Bei saam bohng nl
dl ngoh la.
T: This ia sugar.
Give me three pounds.
S: Give me three pounds of this.
1. Nl dl haih pihnggwo.
Bei luhk go pihnggwo ngoh la.
2. Nl dl haih bou.
Bei leuhng mah bou ngoh la.
3. Nl dl haih yuhnbit.
Bei sei ji yuhnbat ngoh la.
k. Nl dl haih syu.
Bei bun syu ngoh la.
5. Nl dl haih heiseui.
Bei saam ji heiseui ngoh la.
6. Nl dl haih yu.
Bei tiuh yu ngoh la.
1. Bei luhk go nl di ngoh la.
Give me six of these.
2. Bei leuhng mah nl di ngoh
la.
3. Bei sei ji ni di ngoh la.
^. Bei bun ni di ngoh la.
5. Bei saam ji ni di ngoh la.
6. Bei tiuh ni di ngoh la.
170
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 7
12. Response Drill
Ex: T: Nl dl haih je.
S: Ahgoi neih bei ba
ngoh la I
1. Nl dl haih bat.
2. Nl dl haih syu.
3. Nl dl haih yuhnbat.
k. Nl dl haih pihnggwo.
5. Nl dl haih beng.
T: These are umbrellas.
S: Please give me one.
1. Ahgoi neih bei ji ngoh lal
2. Ahgoi neih bei bun ngoh lal
3. Ahgoi neih bei ji ngoh lal
k. Ahgoi neih bei go ngoh lal
5. Ahgoi neih bei go ngoh lal
13. Conversation Drill:
Ex: T: gei jek jlu
SI: Ahgoi bei gei jek
jlu ngoh la.
S2: Bei gei jek meyeh wa?
SI: Gei jek jlu.
1. gei go pihnggwo
2. gei tiuh taai
3. gei go chaang
k. gei ji yuhnjibat
5. gei baau yln
a few bananas
Please give me a few bananas.
Give a few whats, did you say?
A few bananas.
1. SI: Ahgoi bei gei go pihng-
gwo ngoh la.
S2: Bei gei go meyeh wa?
SI: Gei go pihnggwo.
2. SI: Ahgoi bei gei tiuh taai
ngoh la.
S2: Bei gei tiuh meyeh wa?
SI: Gei tiuh taai.
3. SI: Ahgoi bei gei go chaang
ngoh la.
S2: Bei gei go meyeh wa?
SI: Gei go chaang.
k. SI: Ahgoi bei gei ji yuhn-
jibat ngoh la.
S2: Bei gei ji meyeh wa?
SI: Gei ji yuhnjibat.
5. SI: Ahgoi bei gei baau yln
ngoh la.
S2: Bei gei baau meyeh wa?
SI: Gei baau yln.
171
LESSON 7
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Ik, Question & Answer Drill: Teacher gives cue by pointing to objects,
or pictures of them. Props required: apple, orange, ball point pen,
etc.
Ex: T:
SI:
S2:
SI:
S2:
1. (apple)
(pencil)
Nl dl haih meyeh
lain ga?
Yuhnbat. Go dl
haih yuhnbat.
Geido ji ne? /V
(holds up fingers)
Sei ji.
SI: What's this-;
S2
A pencil, that's a pencil, or
Pencils. Those are pencils.
SI: How many? /unit/
2. (orange)
3. (ball point pen)
J f. (pack of cigarettes)
5. (book)
1. A. Nl dl haih meyeh lain ga?
B. Fihnggwo. Go dl haih
pihnggwo.
A. Geido go ne? /3/
8. Saam go.
2. A. Nl dl haih meyeh laih ga?
B. Chaang. Go dl haih chaang.
A. GeidS go ne? /I/
B. Yat go.
3. A. Nl dl haih meyeh laih ga?
B. YuhnjlbSt. Go dl haih
yuhnjibat.
A. Geido ji ne? /6/
B. Luhk ji.
4. A. Nl dl haih meyeh laih ga?
B. Ylnjai. Go dl haih ylnjai.
A. Geido baau ne? /2/
B. Leuhng baau.
5. A. Go dl haih meyeh laih ga?
B. Syi. Go dl haih syu.
A. Geido" bun nS? /!/
B. Yat bun.
15. Substitution Drill: Teacher writes numbers on the blackboard to
cue the students*
Ex: T: $12.^0 T: HZ.kO
172
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE lesson 7
15. Substitution Drill: Teacher writes numbers on the blackboard to
cue the students.
Ex: T: $12. 1*0 T: «12.^0
S: Ni gihn seutsaam S: This shirt sells for $12.<+0.
raaaih sahpyih go
sei.
1.
$12.20
1.
Ni gihn seutsaam maaih
sahpyih go yih.
2.
$13.60
2.
Ni gihn seutsaam maaih
sahpsaam go luhk.
3.
$13.20
3.
Ni gihn seutsaam maaih
sahpsaam go yih.
It.
$13.50
k.
Ni gihn seutsaam maaih
sahpsaam go bun.
5.
$15.90
5.
Ni gihn seutsaam maaih
sahpngh go gau.
a. Continue, with other numbers.
16. Expansion Drill
1. a. ngauhnaaih.
b. Dl ngauhnaaih.
c. Dl ngauhnaaih go baat
ngahnchin ji.
d. Dl ngauhnaaih yiu go baat
ngahnchin ji.
2. a. jlu
b. dl jlu.
c. dl jlu ngh houhji gan.
d. Dl jlu maaih ngh houhji
gan.
e. Dl jlu haih mhhaih maaih
ngh houhji gan a?
a. milk
b. the milk, or some milk
c. The milk is $1.80 a bottle.
d. The milk costs $1.80 a
bottle.
a. bananas
b. the bananas or some bananas
c. the bananas are 50^ a catty.
d. The bananas sell for 50/1 a
catty.
e. Do the bananas sell for
50^ a catty?
173
LESSOW 7 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
IV. CONVERSATIONS FOE LISTENING
(On tape. Listen to tape with book closed.)
V. SAY IT IN CANTONESE
A. In a grocery store, the clerk B.
asks:
1. What do you want to buy?
2. Is 5 pounds of sugar enough?
3. Whether you'd like to buy
some fish.
k. How many packs (of cigarettes)
do you want?
C. In a grocery store, the D:
customer asks:
1. How much does the beef sell
for?
2. How much are these cigarettes?
3. Is this fish $3.00 a catty?
k. What is this?
5. These bananas are 80/ a
catty, aren't they?
6. These apples are 30/ each,
aren't they?
7. How much is the sugar per
pound?
And the customer answers:
1. I want some beef, and also
some pork and milk.
2. 5 pounds is not enough —
give me 10 pounds.
3. Yes, I'd like to buy one
fish.
k. Two packs are enough.
And the clerk answers:
1. It's $5.80 a catty.
2. They're $1.20 a pack.
3. No, this is $2.80 a catty—
those (pointing) are $3.00
a catty.
k. That's pork — would you like
some?
5. Yes, 80/ a catty.-- how many
catties would you like?
6. No, the apples are 50/ each —
the oranges are 30/ each.
7. It's 75/ a pound.
17^
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE lesson 7
Vocabulary Checklist for Lesson 7
1.
baau
m:
package, M. for cigarette pack
2.
bohng
m:
pound
3.
bou
n:
cloth
k.
bun
o:
M. for book
5.
-bun
nu:
half
6.
dl
m:
some, the
7.
gai
n:
chicken
8.
gan
m:
catty, unit of weight ca 1 1/3 lb
9.
go dl
»p+m:
those (in reference to unit nouns); that (in
reference to mass nouns)
10.
haih. . .lain
ge Pa:
is. . (grammatical structure giving emphasis to
enclosed noun)
11.
houh( jl)
m:
dime
12.
jek
m:
M. for chicken, shoe, sock, ship.
13.
ji
m:
M. for cigarette
l*f.
jyuyuhk
n:
pork
15.
...laih ge
see: haih... laih ge
16.
maaih
v:
sell
17.
mah
m:
yard (in length)
18.
ngahnchin
n/m:
money [silver-money]
19.
ngauhyuhk
n:
beef
20.
nl dl
sp+m:
these (in reference to unit nouns) this (in
reference to mass nouns)
21.
ngoi
v:
var. of oi, want, want to have, want to posse,
22.
oi
v:
want, want to have, want to possess
23.
syu
n:
book
2h.
tShng
n:
sugar
25.
yatyeuhng nuM/adj:
same
26.
ylnjai
n:
cigarette
27.
yu
n:
fish
175
LESSON B
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
I. BASIC CONVERSATION
A. Buildup ;
(Buying socks at a department store:)
Guhaak
dyun
dyun maht
baahk-
baahk dyun maht
yauh
noun
yauh mouh?
yauh mouh maht?
yauh mouh baahk dyun maht
Yauh mouh baahk dyun maht
maaib a?
Sauhfoyuhn
Yauh.
Jeuk
Haih Ahhaih neih jeuk ga?
Haih.
houh
gel houh?
Jeuk gel houh a?
Gau houh.
pehng
leng
yauh
Guhaak
Sauhfoyuhn
Guhaak
Sauhfoyuhn
short
socks
white
white socks
have; there is/are
not have; there is/are not
have/not have? do you have?
is there? are there?
do (you) have Bocks?
do you have white socks?
or are there any white
socks?
Do you have white socks for
sale?
Yes. [Have]
wear (clothes)
Are they for you? [ones for
you to wear?]
That's right.
number; size
what size?
What size do you wear?
Number nine.
cheap
pretty
also
176
LESSON B
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
I. BASIC CONVERSATION
A. Buildup ;
(Buying socks at a department store:)
Guhaak
dyun
dyun maht
baahk-
baahk dyun maht
yauh
noun
yauh mouh?
yauh mouh maht?
yauh mouh baahk dyun maht
Yauh mouh baahk dyun maht
maaib a?
Sauhfoyuhn
Yauh.
Jeuk
Haih Ahhaih neih jeuk ga?
Haih.
houh
gel houh?
Jeuk gel houh a?
Gau houh.
pehng
leng
yauh
Guhaak
Sauhfoyuhn
Guhaak
Sauhfoyuhn
short
socks
white
white socks
have; there is/are
not have; there is/are not
have/not have? do you have?
is there? are there?
do (you) have Bocks?
do you have white socks?
or are there any white
socks?
Do you have white socks for
sale?
Yes. [Have]
wear (clothes)
Are they for you? [ones for
you to wear?]
That's right.
number; size
what size?
What size do you wear?
Number nine.
cheap
pretty
also
176
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON 8
yauh pehng yauh leng
Nl dl yauh pehng yauh leng.
jungyi
jung ahjungyi a?
Neih Jung ohjungyi a?
Guhaak
hou
gei hou
daaih
ahgau daaih
Gei hou, daahnhaih Ahgau daaih.
-dl
daaihdl
daaihdl ge
Yauhaouh daaihdl ge ne?
Sauhf oyuhn
-aaai
maaihsaai laak.
Deuiohjyuh — daaihdl ge dou
aaaihsaai laak.
haak-
haakslk
hou mhhou?
Haakslk, hou mhhou a?
Haakslk dou hou leng ga.
Guhaak
Hou aak.
Sauhf oyuhn
Nl dl aaan aan, nidi aaam go
bun.
bin-?
both cheap and pretty
These are both cheap and
pretty.
like; like to
do you like (it/thea)?
Do you like them?
good, nice
quite nice, pretty nice
big
not big enough
They're quite nice, but they're
not big enough.
somewhat—, a little bit—
a little larger
larger one (or ones)
Do you have any little bit
larger ones?
completely
all sold out
I'm sorry, the larger ones are
all sold out.
black
black color
is (that) all right?
Would black be all right?
The black are also very pretty.
All right.
These are three dollars, and
these are three and a half,
which?
kind, type
177
LESSON 8
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Neih ngoi bin Jung a?
aaaa go bun ge
Oi aaaa go bun ge la.
da
maaih bun da
ah
Maaih bun da ah.
do
fthaai gam do.
Saaa deui gau laak.
Quhaak
Sauhf oyuhn
Quhaak
B. Recapitulation ;
Quhaak
Tauh aouh baahk dyun aaht
aaaih a?
Sauhf oyuhn
Tauh. Haih ahhaih neih Jeuk ga?
Quhaak
Haih.
Sauhf oyuhn
Jeuk gei houh a?
Quhaak
Gau houh.
Sauhf oyuhn
Nl dl yauh pehng yauh long.
Neih Jung ihjungyi a?
Quhaak
Oei hou, daahahaih ahgau
Which onaa do you want?
the three-fifty onaa (or
on*)
I'd lika th« 13.50 onaa.
dozen
buy half a dozen
aentence auffix adding force
of 'I suppose' to aentence
it attaches to.
You'll take a half a dozen, I
auppose.
auch, aany
(I) don't need that aany.
Three paira are enough.
Do you hare white aocka for
aale?
Tea. Are they for you?
That' a right.
What aize do you wear?
Nuaber nine.
These are both cheap and
pretty. Do you lika thea?
They're quite nice, but they're
178
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 8
daaih.
Tauh aouh daaihdl ge ne?
Sauhf oyuhn
Deniahjyuta— daaihdl ge
dou aaaihsaai laak.
Haakalk, hou ahhou a?
Haakalk dou hou leng ga.
Quhaak
Hon aak.
Sauhf oyuhn
Nl dl saaa sin, nl dl saaa
go ban*
Neih ngoi bla jung nil
Quhaak
Oi saaa go bun g« la.
Sauhfoyuhn
Maaih bua da ah.
Quhaak
fthoai gaa do. Saaa deui gau
not big enough.
Do you have any larger ones?
I'm sorry, the larger ones are
all sold out.
Would black be all right?
The black are also very pretty.
All right.
These are three dollars, theae
are $3.50.
Which ones do you want?
I'd like the three-fifty ones,
please.
Half a dosen, I suppose.
I don't need so aany. Three
pairs are enough.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + +
Pronunciation Practice:
1. yun as in dyun
yun is a two-part final composed of the high front rounded vowel
yu [u] , plus the dental nasal consonant n. The yu ia an open vowel
before the nasal final, and being a rounded vowel, has a rounding
effect on a consonant preceding it in the same syllable, as well as
the consonant following it.
Listen and repeat:
1. dyun , dyun , dyin
4n -f 2. yuhnbat (5 times separately)
^ 3. dyun yuhn , yiihn dyun ,
is X. k. yuhn dyun , dyun yuhn . £i <f&
179
TiRSS0M a CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
2. yn /yun contrasts
Listen and repeat: (Watch the teacher)
1. yu yu , dyun dyun
2. dyun dyun , ju yi .
3. dyun yu , yu dyun
3. guk in Jeuk, ( ng)aam.leuk
euk is a two-part final composed of the rounded mid front vowel
en plus the velar stop consonant k. In final position in a syllable,
k is unreleased— [k* 1 ]. Before k, the positioning for eu is the same
as that for eu before ng — raised mid front rounded — [ ft ], Lips are
rounded for the vowel and also for consonants preceding and following
it in a syllable.
Listen and repeat: (Watch the teacher)
-% 1. jeuk jeuk jeuk ; jeuk , jeuk ,
jeuk
asm jeuk asm jeuk .
3. ngaamjeuk ngaamjeuk .
*t. euk/eung contrasts
Listen and repeat: (Note that tongue and lip position
is the same for eu before k as it is for eu before
££.)
1. jeuk, jeuk , Jeung, Jeung .
2. jeuk Jeung , Jeung jeuk .
3. jeuk seung , jeuk leuhng ,
k, jeuk cheuhng , jeuk yatyeuhng .
5. euk/eut contrasts
Listen and repeat: (Note that the tongue position for
eu before the dental t is somewhat lower than its
position before the velar k.)
1. jeuk jeuk , seut seut .
2. jeuk saam , seutsaam .
3. seutsaam , jeuk saam .
6. ek as in jek
ek is a two-part final composed of the mid front unrounded vowel
e_ [ E ] plus the velar stop consonant k. In final position in a
syllable, k is unreleased — [k n ]. The American counterpart of the
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LassON 8
Cantonese ek is the eck in 'peck,' although in final position the
American k is not necessarily unreleased — it may or may not be, with
no significant difference.
Listen and repeat:
jek (5 times) jL
7. eng as in leng . pehng . beng . teng
eng is a two-part final composed of the mid front unrounded vowel
e [ E ] plus the velar nasal consonant ng. The e is like the e in the
American 'bet.' It is an open vowel before the nasal final.
Listen and repeat, comparing English and Cantonese:
(Read across)
English Cantonese
1. bet beng
2. pet pehng - z f-
3. let leng -fet
k. Tet teng
8. ut as in fut, 'wide' (See Drill 3 )
ut is a two-part final composed of the high back rounded vowel u
plus the dental stop consonant t. The tongue position for t is like
that for English words ending with t — the tip of the tongue stops the
flow of air at the dental ridge behind the upper teeth. In final
position the Cantonese t is unreleased — [t -1 ]. u before t is produced
the same as was u finally and u before n — as a high back rounded vowel
[u] with tongue position somewhat higher than for u before k and ng.
Before t the u is relatively long and has a slight offglide to high
central position— [u« u ] [u'^tT.
Listen and repeat:
j$I fut , fut , fut , fut , fut .
9. u/ut contrasts
u before t is similar to u as a one-part final; both are high
back rounded vowels, but u before t has a slight offglide to high
central position [u^t].
Listen and repeat:
^ 1. fu fu fu , fu fu fu
/'ftl 2. fut fut fut , fut fut fut
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LESSON 8 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
3. fu fut , fu fut , fu fut ,
fut fu , fut fu , fut fu .
10. ut/un contrasts
u before t is pronounced the same as u before n, rather long, and
with a slight forward offglide before the final consonant — Cu»«f] ,
[u: u n].
Listen and repeat:
1. fut fut , bun bun .
2. fut bun , bun fut .
3. bun bun , fut fut .
11. ut/uk contrasts
Tongue position for u before k is slightly lower than that for u
before t, and the rowel is relatively short before k and long before
t— [U'V], [«:**•].
Listen and repeat:
1. fut fut , luhk luhk
2. ngauhyuhk yuhk, yuhk , fut fut .
3. fut yuhk , fut lu> '* , luhk yuhk fut
fut
12. ak /aak contrasts
Listen and repeat:
1. dak dak , haak haak .
2. dak haak , haak dak .
3. Jaak jaak ('narrow') ^ , jaak dak
k. haak dak , jaak dak , baahk dak .
5. haak haak , jaak jaak , baahk baahk ,
dak dak
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 8
. NOTES
1. The verb yauh , 'have,' 'there is/are'
a. yauh is irregular in that its negative is not 'mhyauh' but mouh.
It patterns like other verbs in the affirmative, negative
and choice questions:
Ex: aff: yauh = have; there is
neg: mouh = don't have; there isn't
q: yauh mouh ...? = do (you) have?; is there?
(See BC and Drills 1.1, 1.3, 8 )
2. Adjectives
a. Adjectives are descriptive words. Words like daaih, 'big,' and
dyun , 'short,* are adjectives.
b. From the grammatical point of view an adjective is a word that
fits into certain positions in a sentence. A word which may
be preceded by the following words and word groups is classed
as an adjective in Cantonese:
hou very
gei quite
mhhaih gei not very
mhhaih hou not exceptionally
(See BC and Drills k. 5)
c. A word which is an adjective in Cantonese may translate into
another part of speech in English. For example, ngaamjeuk
•fits, fits well' is an adjective in Cantonese, because it
patterns like an adjective, whereas the English equivalent
expression 'fit' is a verb:
Nl £ihn seutsaam = This shirt fits well.
hou ngaamjeuk. [This shirt is very well-fitting.]
housihk 'good to eat,' 'tasty,' and houyam 'good to
drink,' 'tasty,' are also adjectives, since they pattern like
adjectives. They can be modified with the set of words, 'gei,'
•hou,' etc. that modify adjectives.
1. Nl ^o pihnggwo hou This apple is very tasty.
housihk. (i.e., tastes good.)
2. Dl bejau hou houyam. The beer is very tasty.
(i.e., tastes good.)
(See Drill 2 )
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LESSON 8
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
d. Adjectives in Cantonese, unlike English, do not require the
equivalent of the verb 'is' to serve as the predicate.
Compare:
Cantonese : English :
Subject Predicate Subject Predicate
Adj. Verb + Adj.
Ni gihn daaih. This one is big.
Ni di hou leng. Those are very pretty.
Since adjectives share this characteristic of verbs, and
share also the characteristic of being able to be preceded
directly by mh, 'not,' we consider adjectives in Cantonese to be
a sub-category of verbs. Some writers call this category of word
'stative verb* rather than adjective.
e. Adjectives modified and unmodified.
1. An adjective modified by gei 'quite' or hou 'very' carries
the force which an unmodified adjective does in English:
Ex: Ni gihn gei leng.
This one is pretty.
Ni gihn hou leng.
2. An unmodified adjective indicates an implied comparison in
a Cantonese sentence with a single adjective as predicate.
Ex: A: Neih wah bin gihn Which one do you think is
leng a? pretty?
B: Ni gihn leng. This one is pretty, (i.e.
prettier than the other)
3. With two adjectives in the predicate, a yauh . . . yauh . . .
construction is required, and in such a case, the unmodified
adjective is the norm.
Ex: Ni go pihnggwo yauh This apple is both cheap
pehng yauh leng. and good.
(See BC and Drill 10 )
k. The choice-type question follows the verbal pattern of V mhV .
yielding Adj mhAdj .
Ex: Ni gihn gwai mhgwai a? Is this one expensive?
(See Drills 3, 11 )
184
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON 8
To say 'Is this one very expensive?' requires a haih
mhhaih question:
Ex: Nl gihn haih mhhaih Is this one very expensive?
hou gwai a?
f. Adj H ge combination = noun phrase (NP).
An adjective is frequently used to form a noun phrase by
adding the noun-forming suffix ge .
Ex: 1. Mhhaih daaih ge, haih 1. It's not the big one, it's
sai ge. the small one. or
They aren't the big ones,
they are the small ones.
2. yiu daaihdl ge. 2. Want a large one (or ones).
(See Drill 13 )
Note that when an adjective combines with ge to form a noun
construction, it is necessary to add haih or another verb to form
a sentence.
3. dl as adj. suffix, 'a little,' 'Adj-er.'
In Cantonese Adj-dl has a comparative sense, but the English
equivalents are translated variously, depending on context as:
'somewhat,' 'a little;' and also the comparative '-er.'
Ex: Ngoh go blu faaidx. [My watch is a bit faster (than
the right time).]
My watch is a little fast.
Nl gihn laangsaam [This sweater is a little
daaihdl. larger (than the size I
need) .]
This sweater is a little too
large.
Yauh mouh saidl ge ne? Do you have a smaller one?
( or smaller ones)
(See BC and Drills 13, 15 )
k. Two syllable verbs and adjectives form the choice-type questions by
using only the first syllable before the mh, and the whole word
after:
V/Adj . Choice question
jungyi like jung mhjungyi a? (do you) like (it)?
ngaamjeuk well-fitting ngaam mhngaamjeuk a? (Does it) fit?
(See BC)
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
5. ah sentence suffix, adding force of 'I suppose' to sentence it
attaches to. It makes the sentence a rhetorical question. The
speaker indicates with the ah final that he knows the response
to his sentence will be in agreement with what he says. The
intonation has the sentence-final fall characteristic of statement
sentences.
Ex: Maaih bun da ah. (You'll) buy a half dozen,
I suppose.
(See BC and Drill 9 )
Compare the two following English sentences, of which the
second has a connotation similar to the Cantonese ah sentences:
1. He's drinking tea, isn't he? (you're not sure)
2. He's drinking tea, isn't he. (you're sure he is)
6. Further use of sentence suffix ne?
A question sentence which continues a topic already being
discussed often uses the sentence suffix ne? , with force of:
'...then? ;' '...And...?'
Ex: Tauh mouh daaihdl Do you have any larger ones,
ge ne? then? (Having been shown
smaller ones)
(See BC and Drill 16 )
This ne ? is the same final you encountered in Lesson 2 in the
sentence composed of Noun * ne :
Slngaang ne ? 'And you, Sir?'
The use of ni in this lesson is new in that it is here a
final in a sentence which is itself a question. This use of ne
is apparently used more frequently by women than by men, and its
frequent use by men is said to give an effiminate cast to their
speech. Sentence suffix a can be substituted for ne in all cases
in which ne is a sentence suffix to a sentence which is itself
a question.
186
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 8
7. Noun modification structures.
a. Noun as modifier to a following noun head:
1. Nouns as modifiers directly precede the noun they modify:
Ex: Yinggwok haaih English shoes
Yahtbun bejau Japanese beer
bou haaih cloth shoes
pihnggwo pai apple pie
2. When the noun head is already established, ge may substitute
for the noun head in a follow sentence, keeping modification
structures intact:
Ex: a. Ngoh yiu maaih ji I want to buy a bottle of
Yahtbun bejau. Japanese beer [Japan beer],
Yauh mouh a? Do you have any?
b. Mouh a. Maaih ji No, we don't. How about
Meihgwok ge, hou getting an American one?
mhhou a? [America-one]
(See Drill 8 )
b. Adjectives as modifiers to a following noun head:
1. A one syllable adjective as modifier directly preceeds the
noun it modifies:
Ex: 1. Neih gihn san Your new shirt is pretty,
seutsaam hou
leng.
2. Ngoh mhjungyi I don't like to wear shorts,
jeuk dyun fu. [short trousers]
2. Adjectives that are pre-modified add ge when modifying a
following noun:
1. cheuhng yuhnbat long pencil
2. hou cheuhng ge yuhn- very long pencil
bat
3. hSu gwai ge cheuhng very expensive long pencil
yuhnbat
(See Drill 1.3 )
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LESSON 8 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
8. do 'many'
1. do, 'many,' patterns like an adjective in taking the adjective
modifiers hou , gel , etc. and the adjective suffix dl, but
within the larger framework of the sentence it patterns
differently from adjectives, do is a boundword, bound either
to a preceding adverb or a following measure; adjectives are
free words. Adjectives when pre-modif ied add ge when modifying
a following noun, but do does not:
Ex: hou pehng ge syu very cheap books
hou do syu very many books
A do phrase patterns like a noun in that it can be the object
of a verb without adding g_e; but adjectives add ge when
nominalized.
Ex: Keuih yauh hou do. He has many.
Keuih yauh hou He has a big one (or ones.)
daaih ge.
do also shares some characteristics with numbers and can be
viewed as an indefinite number. It is, in fact, a case unto
itself, and you will learn its various faces bit by bit.
9. bin- M ? = 'which M ?'
bin-? is an interrogative boundword v bound to a following measure.
It occupies the same position in a sentence as no-, 'this' and go- , 'that'
and is classed with them as a specifier.
Ex: A: Neih seung maaih bin gihn a? Which one are you going to
buy?
B: Ngoh maaih ni gihn laak.I'll buy this one.
(See BC and Drill 1*0
188
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 8
III. DRILLS
1. Expansion Drill: Students repeat after the teacher.
+ 2.
+
+ 1. a. cheuhng .
b. cheuhng fu.
c. yauh tiuh cheuhng fu.
d. Yauh tiuh haak cheuhng fu.
e. Yauh tiuh haak slk ge
cheuhng fu.
a. gwai
b. gei gwai
+ c. mhhaih gei gwai
d. Di bou mhhaih gei gwai.
e. Dl Yahtbun bou mhhaih
gei gwai.
3. a. Ji yuhnbat.
b. Yauh ji yuhnbat.
c. Ngoh yauh ji yuhnbat.
d. Ngoh yauh ji cheuhng yuhnbat,
e. Ngoh yauh ji hou gwai ge
cheuhng yuhnbat.
+ 4. a. Gihn laangsaam .
+ b. Gihn san laangsaam.
c. Ngoh gihn san laangsaam.
d. Ngoh gihn san laangsaam
hou gwai.
e. Keuih mhjidou ngoh gihn san
laangsaam hou gwai.
+ 5. a. gauh
b. gauh bat
c. Ji gauh bat.
d. Ji gauh yuhnjxbat.
1. a. long .
b. slacks, trousers.
[long trousers]
c. Have a pair of slacks.
d. Have a pair of black
slacks.
e. Have a pair of black
coloured slacks.
2. a. expensive .
b. rather expensive,
quite expensive
c. not very expensive, not
expensive
d. The cloth is not too
expensive.
e. The Japanese cloth is not
expensive.
3. a. A (or The) pencil.
b. Have a pencil.
c. I have a pencil.
d. I have a long pencil.
e. I have a very expensive
long pencil.
k. a. The (or a) sweater .
' b. The new sweater.
c. My new sweater.
d. My new sweater is very
expensive.
e. He does not know (that)
my new sweater is very
expensive.
5. a. old
b. old pen.
c. The old pen (or pencil).
d. The old ball-point pen.
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LESSON 8
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
2. Substitution Drill: Adjectives
Ex: T: Ni dl gei daaih. T:
/leng/
S: Nl dl gei leng. S:
1. Nl dl gei gwai. /pehng/
+ 2. /sai/
"Ismail)
3. /daaih/
+4. /houyam/
(tasty, good to drink .)
+ 5. /housihk/
( tasty . good to eat .)
+ 6. / ngaamjeuk ( or aamjeuk )
( well fitting , fits properly )
These are (or this (mass) is)
quite big. /pretty/
These are very pretty, or
This (mass) is very pretty.
1. Nl dl gei pehng.
2. Nl dl gei sai.
These are (or This (mass)
is) quite small.
3. Nl dl gei daaih.
k. Ni dl gei houyam.
These are (or This is)
very tasty. - very good to
drink.
5. Nl dl gei housihk
These are (or This is)
very tasty. - very good
to eat.
6. Ni dl gei ngaam jeuk.
These fit well.
3. Expansion Drill: Fluency practice.
Ex: 1. T:
+ S:
Leng mhleng a?
Neih wah leng
mhleng a?
( say , think )
2. T: Hou mhhousihk a?
S: Neih wah hou
mhhousihk a?
1. Ngaam mhngaamjeuk a?
2. Gwai mhgwai a?
3. Pehng mhpehng a?
k. Sai mhsai a?
5. Daaih mhdaaih a?
6. Hou mhhouyam a?
7. Hou mhhousihk a?
8. Leng mhleng a?
Is it pretty?
Do you think it's pretty?
Is it tasty?
Do you think it's tasty?
1. Neih wah ngaam mhngaam
jeuk a?
2. Neih wah gwai mhgwai a?
3. Neih wah pehng mhpehng a?
k. Neih wah sai mhsai a?
5. Neih wah daaih mhdaaih a?
6. Neih wah hou mhhouyam a?
7. Neih wah hou mhhousihk a?
8. Neih wah leng mhleng a?
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON 8
9. Gauh mhgauh a? 9. Neih wah gauh ihgauh a?
+ 10. Fut mhfut a? ( wide ) 10. Neih wah fut mhfut a?
+11. Jaak mhjaak a? ( narrow ) 11. Neih wah jaak mhjaak a?
k. Substitution Drill: Pre-modif iers
Ex: T: Go tiuh fu gei
pehng. /hou/
S: Go tiuh fu hou pehng.
1. Go tiuh fu gei pehng. /hou/
2. Go tiuh fu hou gwai.
/mhhaih gei/
3. Go tiuh fu mhhaih gei gwai.
/gei/
h. Go tiuh fu gei pehng. /mh/
+ 5. Go tiuh fu mh pehng.
/ mhhaih hou/ ( not very )
of Adjectives
Those slacks are quite cheap,
/very/
Those slacks are very cheap.
1. Go tiuh fu hou pehng.
2. Go tiuh fu mhhaih gei gwai.
Those slacks aren't very
expensive.
3. Go tiuh fu gei gwai.
k. Go tiuh fu mh pehng.
5. Go tiuh fu mhhaih hou pehng.
5. Substitution Drill: Mixed: Nouns
Ex: 1. T: Go tiuh yu gei
pehng. /hou/
S: Go tiuh yu hou
pehng.
2. T: Go tiuh yu hou
pehng. /go blu/
S: Go go blu hou
pehng.
1. Keuih deui maht hou leng.
/mhhaih gei/
2. /tiuh dyun fu/
3. /hou gwai/
1 t. /nl di ylnjai/
5. /h6u housihk/
and Adjectives
That fish is pretty cheap,
/very/
That fish is very cheap.
That fish is very cheap,
/watch/
That watch is very cheap.
1. Keuih deui maht mhhaih gei
leng.
2. Keuih tiuh dyun fu mhhaih
gei leng.
3. Keuih tiuh dyun fu hou gwai.
Nl di ylnjai hou gwai.
5. Nl di ylnjai hou housihk.
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LESSON 8 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
6. Substitution Drill: Adjectives
Ex: T: Nl £ihu laangsaam
hou leng. /hou
jaak/
S: Nl gihn laangsaam
hou jaak.
1. Nl gihn laangsaam h6u jaak.
hou ngaamjeuk.
2. Hou gwai.
3. Gwaidl.
k. Sai sesiu.
5. DaaihdI.
6. Hou pehng.
7. fthhaih gei gwai.
8. fthhaih hou leng.
Not very pretty.
9. Hou jaak.
as predicates
T: This sweater is pretty.
S: This sweater is narrow.
1. Nl gihn laangsaam hou
ngaamjeuk.
2. Nl gihn laangsaam hou gwai.
3. Nl gihn laangsaam gwaidl.
k. Nl gihn laangsaam sai sesiu.
5. Ni gihn laangsaam daaihdi.
6. Ni gihn laangsaam hou pehng.
7. Ni gihn laangsaam mhhaih
gei gwai.
8. Nl gihn laangsaam mhhaih
hou leng.
9. Nl gihn laangsaam hou jaak.
7. Substitution Drill: Repeat the first sentence, then substitute
as directed.
1. Keuih mhjungyi jeuk dyun fu.
She doesn' t like to wear
shorts.
1. Keuih mhjungyi jeuk dyun fu.
+2. / cheuhngsaam/ ( cheongsaam )
3. /dyun maht/(socks)
k. /cheuhng maht/( stockings)
5. /laangsaam/
6. /cheuhng fu/(long pants)
2. Keuih mhjungyi jeuk cheuhng-
saam.
She doesn' t like to wear
cheongsaams.
3. Keuih mhjungyi jeuk dyun
maht.
J +. Keuih mhjungyi jeuk cheuhng
maht.
5. Keuih mhjungyi jeuk laang-
saam.
6. Keuih mhjungyi jeuk cheuhng
fu.
Comment •• A cheongsaam is the style of dress worn by Chinese
women, with a high collar and the skirt slit at
the sides.
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 8
8. Response Drill
Ex: T: Yauh mouh chaang
maaih a?
/pihnggwo/
S: Deuimhjyuh, maaih- S
saai laak. Pihng-
gwo hou mhhou a?
1. Yauh mouh Yinggwok haaih maaih
a? /Meihgwok ge/
Do you have English shoes
for sale? /American ones/
(ge as noun substitute)
2. Yauh mouh Meihgwok ylnjai
maaih a? /Yinggwok ge/
3. Yauh mouh jyuyuhk maaih a?
/ngauhyuhk/
Are there oranges for sale
[to sell] (here)? or
(Do you) have oranges for
sale? /apples?
Sorry, they're all sold out.
Would apples be OK?
Comment: ge can substitute for
The structure modif
modifier + Noun. See #1 and 4Z above.
1. Deuimhjyuh, maaihsaai laak.
Meihgwok ge hou mhhou a?
I'm sorry, they're all
sold out. Would American
ones be all right?
2. Deuimhjyuh, maaihsaai laak.
Yinggwok ge hou mhhou a?
3. Deuimhjyuh, maaihsaai laak.
Ngauhyuhk hou mhhou a?
a noun in a follow sentence.
ier + ge substitutes for
9. Response Drill
Ex: 1. T: Neih yauh mouh
sahp man a?
/nod/
S: Yauh. Neih yiu
ahi
2. T: Neih yauh mouh
sahp man a?
/shake/
S: Mouh a. Deui-
mhjyuh laak.
1. Neih yauh mouh tohng a?
/shake/
2. Neih yauh mouh ylnjai a?
/shake/
3. Neih yauh mouh je a? /shake/
h. Neih yauh mouh go bun ngahn-
chin a? /nod/
5. Neih yauh mouh yih sahp man
a? /shake/
193
1. T: Do you have ten dollars?
S: Yes I do. You want it, huh.
2. T: Do you have $10?
S: No I don't, I'm sorry.
1. Mouh a. Deuimhjyuh laak.
2. Mouh a. Deuimhjyuh laak.
3. Mouh a. Deuimhjyuh laak.
4. Yauh. Neih yiu ah.
5. Mouh a. Deuimhjyuh laak.
LESSOR 8
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
6. Neih yauh mouh leuhng go bun 6. Yauh. Neih ylu ah'
ngahnchin a? /nod/
7. Neih yauh mouh yat da bejau 7. Yauh. Neih yiu ahl
a? /nod/
Comment: Mouh a . and Mouh laak . compared as follow sentences to
a yauh mouh ? question:
Mouh a . indicates simple negative 'Don't have any.'
Mouh laak . indicates that you used to have some, but
you don't have any any more.
10. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Nl go pihnggwo hou T:
pehng . /housihk/
S : Ni go pihnggwo yauh S :
pehng yauh housihk.
1. Nl go chaang hou gwai.
/mhhousihk/
2. Nx go blu hou pehng. /jeun/
5. Go di beng hou sai. /gwai/
k. Keuih gihn seutsaam hou
cheuhng . /daaih/
5. Nl tiuh kwahn hou fut.
/daaih/
6. Nl jung bat hou pehng. /leng/
This apple is cheap, /delicious/
This apple is both cheap and
delicious.
1. Nl go chaang yauh gwai yauh
mhhousihk.
2. Ni dl blu yauh pehng yauh
jeun.
3. Go dl beng yauh sai yauh
gwai.
k. Keuih gihn seutsaam yauh
cheuhng yauh daaih.
5. Ni tiuh kwahn yauh fut yauh
daaih .
6. Ni jung bat yauh pehng yauh
leng.
11. Transformation Drill
Ex: T: Keuih gihn yuhlau
hou leng.
S: Keuih gihn yuhlau
leng mhleng a?
1. Keuih go tiuh fu hou ngaam-
jeuk.
Those trousers of his fit
very well.
T: Her raincoat is pretty.
S: Is her raincoat pretty?
1. Keuih go tiuh fu ngaaro
mhngaamjeuk a?
19^
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 8
2. Sahp man ihgwai.
3. Nl di maht hou pehng.
k. Haak slk ge ihhaih gei leng.
5. Go di jyuyuhk gei housihk.
6. Go tiuh saidl.
7. Kl gihn baahk seutsaam daaihdl.
8. Keuih gihn saam hou leng.
9. Keuih go deui haaih hou jaak.
2. Sahp man gwai ihgwai a?
3. Ni di maht pehng ihpehng a?
k. Haak slk ge leng ihleng a?
5- Go di jyuyuhk hou ihhou
sihk a?
6. Go tiuh sai mhsai a?
7. Nl gihn baahk seutsaam daaih
mhdaaih a?
8. Keuih gihn saam leng mhleng
a?
9. Keuih go deui haaih jaak
mhjaak a?
12. Transformation Drill: Transform the cue sentence into a wa? question
sentence, following the pattern of the example.
Ex: T: Keuih sing Wohng. His name is Wong.
S: Keuih sing meyeh wa? You said his name was what?
1.
Wohng Saang seung maaih
tiuh fu.
1.
Wohng Saang seung maaih
meyeh wa?
2.
Leih Sluje jungyi ngoh.
2.
Leih Siuje jungyi bingo wa?
3.
Keuih maaih nl gihn.
She wants this one.
3.
Keuih maaih bin gihn wa?
which one does she want?
^.
Keuih seung oi go tiuh.
He wants to have that one.
^.
Keuih seung oi bin tiuh wa?
Which one does he want?
5.
Keuih sihk beng.
5.
Keuih sihk meyeh wa?
6.
Keuih jeuk gau houh.
6.
Keuih jeuk geido houh wa?
7.
Yihga daahp yat.
7.
Yihga daahp gei wa?
8.
Yihga saam dim bun.
8.
Yihga geidimjilng wa?
9.
Keuih maaih sei deui.
9.
Keuih maaih geido deui wa?
10.
Keuih yauh sahp man.
10.
Keuih yauh geido chin wa?
195
LESSON 8
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
13. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Ni gihn yuhlau
saidi.
This raincoat is a bit small.
S: Ni gihn yuhlau saidi,
yauh mouh daaihdl
ge fl6?
This raincoat is a bit small;
do you have any larger ones?
1.
Ni dl yu gwaidl.
1. Ni dl yu gwaidl, yauh mouh
pehngdl ge ne?
2.
Ni tiuh fu daaihdl.
2. Ni tiuh fu daaihdl, yauh
mouh saidi ge ne?
3.
Ni gihn laangsaam cheuhngdl.
3. Ni gihn laangsaam cheuhngdl,
yauh mouh dyundi ge ne?
+ k.
Ni gihn daisaam saidi.
(underwear)
1 t. Ni gihn daisaam saidi, yauh
mouh daaihdl ge ni?
5.
Ni tiuh fu jaak dl.
5. Ni tiuh fu jaak dl, yauh
mouh fut dl ge ne?
I 1 *. Response Drill
Ex: T: Neih oi bin gihn
siutsaam ni?
/baahk slk/
S: Ngoh oi baahk slk
go gihn.
1. Neih oi bin deui maht ne?
/haak slk/
2. Neih oi bin ba je ne? /daaih
3. Neih oi bin tiuh fu ne?
/cheuhngdl/
Neih oi bin baau ylnjai ne?
/saidi/
5. Neih oi bin jek gai ni?
/gwaidl/
V/hich shirt do you want?
/white color/
I want that (or the) white one.
1.
Ngoh
oi
haak slk go deui.
2.
Ngoh
oi
daaihdl go ba.
3.
Ngoh
oi
cheuhngdl go tiuh.
<t.
Ngoh
oi
saidi go baau.
5.
Ngoh
oi
gwaidl go jek.
196
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 8
15. Alteration Drill
Ex: T: Ngoh ngoi gihn
daaihdl ge.
S: Bei gihn daaihdl
ge ngoh lai
1. Ngoh ngoi tiuh futdl ge.
2. Ngoh ngoi deui jaakdl ge.
3. Ngoh ngoi ba lengdl ge.
h. Ngoh ngoi ji saidl ge.
5. Ngoh ngoi go pehngdl ge.
6. Ngoh ngoi gei gihn saidl ge.
7. Ngoh ngoi gei tiuh cheuhngdl
ge.
16. Response Drill
Ex: T: Ngoh seung maaih
leuhng tiuh taai.
S: Maaih bin leuhng
tiuh ne?
1. Ngoh seung maaih tiuh taai.
2. Ngoh seung maaih dl yuhnbat.
3. Ngoh seung maaih dl bou.
k. Ngoh seung oi saam deui
dyun maht.
I want to get three pairs
of socks.
I want a larger one.
Give me a larger one.
1. Bei tiuh futdl ge ngoh la!
2. Bei deui jaakdl ge ngoh lai
3. Bei ba lengdl ge ngoh lai
h. Bei ji saidl ge ngoh lai
5. Bei go pehngdl ge ngoh lai
6. Bei gei gihn saidl ge ngoh
lai
7. Bei gei tiuh cheuhngdl ge
ngoh lai
T: I want to buy two ties.
S: Which two do you want?
1. Maaih bin tiuh ne?
2. Maaih bin dl ne?
3. Maaih bin dl ne?
k. Oi bin saam deui ne?
CONVERSATIONS FOR LISTENING
(On tape. Listen to tape with book closed.)
197
LESSOT 8
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
V. SAY IT IN CANTONESE
A. In a store, the customer says:
1. These shoes are pretty —
do you have (are there?)
size eight for sale?
2. I don't like the black ones —
are there white ones
(do you have white ones)?
3. This sweater is a little
too wide — I want a smaller
one.
h. I'll take a dozen of these
socks.
5. This sweater is pretty, but
it doesn't fit — do you
have larger one?
6. These shoes are a bit ex-
pensive, do you have any
cheaper ones?
7. How much do these shorts
cost?
8. This one (sweater) is pretty
and fits well, but it's a
bit expensive~S30, OK?
B. And the clerk responds;
1. I'm sorry, size eight is
all sold out.
2. Yes, what size do you want?
3. This one is narrower — try
it.
k. Fine, what size do you wear?
5. Yes.
6. Yes, those are cheaper — do
you like them?
7. This one is $15.00 and that
one is $15.50 — which one
do you want?
8. OK.
Vocabulary Checklist for Lesson 8
1.
aamjeuk
adj:
fits well, well-fitting
2.
ah
ss:
sen. suf. with force of 'I suppose'
3.
baahk
adj:
white
u.
bin?
QW:
which?
5.
cheuhng
adj:
long (in length)
6.
cheuhngsaam
n:
cheongsaam
7.
da
m:
dozen
8.
daaih
adj:
large
9.
daaihdl
Ph:
a little larger
10.
daisaam
n:
underwear
11.
-dl
ad j.s:
attaches to adjectives to mean 'a little Adj ;
somewhat adj ; Adj — er.
198
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LKSSON 8
12.
do
bf :
13. dyun
adj:
Ik.
fut
adj:
15.
gauh
adj:
16.
-g e
bf :
17.
gei
adv:
18.
gwai
adj:
19.
haak
adj:
20.
hou
adv:
21.
hou
adj:
22.
Hou mhhou a?
Ph:
23.
houh
m:
2k.
houeihk
adj:
25. houyam
adj:
26.
jaak
adj:
27.
jeuk
v:
28.
jung
n:
29.
jungyi
auxV/v :
30.
laangsaam
n:
31.
leng
adj:
32.
Maaihsaai laak Ph:
33.
mhhaih gei
adv:
3k.
mhhaih hou
adv:
35.
mouh
v:
36.
ngaamjeuk
adj:
37.
pehng
adj:
38.
-saai
Vsuf :
39.
sai
adj:
40.
san
adj:
kl.
sik
(bf)n:
kz.
wah
v:
k3.
yauh
v:
much , many
short
wide
old (not new)
one(s) = (noun substitute)
rather, quite
expensive
black
very
good
OK? Is (that) all right?
number
good to eat; tasty
good to drink; tasty
narrow
wear; put on (clothes)
type
like, prefer; like to
sweater
pretty; good-looking; good, nice (for foods)
All sold out.
not very. . . , not. . . .
not very
not have, there isn't (aren't)
well fitting (for clothes), fits well (var.
of aamjeuk )
cheap
completely
small
new
color
say, opine
have, there is (are)
199
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
I. BASIC CONVERSATION
A. Buildup !
gungyahn
Qungyahn
■Si.
wan
Wan blnwai a?
Jeung Saaag
dihnwa
ting
tang dihnwa
giu
giu keuih teng dihnwa
Hhgoi neih giu Leih Taai
teng dihawi.
Gungyahn
Wan blnwii wa? Ngoh tang
nhehingcbo.
daaihsengdl
fthgoi daaihsengdl la.
J gang Saang
Leih Taai taai.
Qungyahn
heui gaai
i'o
heui jo gaai
Keuih heuijo gaai bo.
Qwaising wan keuih a?
Jeung Saang
Sing Jeung ge.
faanlaih
servant
Hello.
look for, search
Who are you calling?
telephone
listen, hear
talk [listen] on the
telephone
instruct, order, tell
ask her to come to the
phone
Please ask Mrs. Lee to come to
the phone.
Who did you say you were looking
for? I didn't hear,
louder voice
Please speak louder.
Mrs. Lee.
go out [go street]
Verb suffix, indicating
fulfillment of an
expectation,
has gone out, went out
She' 8 gone out.
Who is calling please?
My name is Cheung,
come back, return
200
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
L£S SON 9
geisih (geisi)
Keuih geisih faanlaih a?
Qnngyahn
aahpyih din
-lehng-
Waahkje aahpyih din lehng la.
sihk aan or aihk agaaa
yiu
Keuih yiu faanlaih sihk ngaan
g«.
aih
yauh aih
Yauh meyeh aih a?
Jeung Saang
da dihnwa
da dihnwa bei ngoh
giu keuih da dihnwa bei
ngoh
mhgoi neih giu keuih da
dihnwa bei Jeung Saaag la.
Qaa, keuih faanlaih, ahgdi
neih giu keuih da dihnwa
bei Jeung Saang la.
Qungyahn
neih ge dihnwa
geido houh?
neih ge dihnwa geido houh a?
Keuih ji ahji neih ge dihnwa
geido houh a?
when?
When will she be back?
12 o'clock
-and some odd. Added to a
nuaber phrase.
Probably a little after 12.
eat the midday aeal
going to, intend to
She's going to cone hoae for
lunch.
business, affair, matter
have something to attend
to; have errand, buaineaa
What ia it you want? (i.e..
What matter are you calling
about?)
make a phone call, to
telephone,
telephone me
tell her to phone me
please ask her to phone
Mr. Cheung.
Well, when she coses hoae,
please ask her to call Mr.
Cheung.
your telephone
what number?
what is your telephone
number?
Does she know your telephone
number?
201
LESSON 9 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Jeung Sianit
Keuih ahji ga.
Ngoh ge dihnwi haih chat
baat ...
Qangyahn
iS
ding ngoh
dang ngoh lo ji bit aia
Ding ngoh lo ji bat »in la.
(She return* with
Qungyahn
iii, giido houh wi?
?aan* Saaafi
lihng
Chat baat lahk lihng ngh giu.
Qungyahn
Chat baat lahk lihng ngh giu.
wah keuih ji
ngoh wah keuih ji
Hou, keuih fianlaih, ngoh wah
keuih ji la.
Jounic Saang
Hou, fthgoi.
She doesn't know.
My telephone number le 7 8 ...
fetch, go get
let ae i wait while I ...
let ae get a pen first.
Let ae get a pen first ...
a pent)
Hello, what nuaber did you say?
aero
786059
786059
tell her
I'll tell her
All right — when she cones back,
I'll tell her.
Fine; thanks.
B. Becapitulatioat
gar
Wei. Wan binwai a? Hello. Who are you calling?
Jeung Saang
fthgoi neih giu Leih Taai ting Please aak Mrs. Lee to ooae
dihnwi. to the phone.
Qungyahn
Win blnwii wa? Ngoh ting Who did you say you
ihchingche. fthgoi daaihaeng- wanted? I couldn't hear,
dl la* Please speak loader.
202
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 9
Jeung Saang
Leih Taaitiai.
Qungyahn
Keuih heuijo gaai bo.
Qwaising van keuih a?
Jeung Saang
Sing Jeung ge. Keuih geisih
faanlaih a?
Qungyahn
Waahkje sahpyih dim lehng la.
Keuih yiu faanlaih sink aan
ge. Yauh meyeh sih a?
Jeung Saang
Gam, Iceuih faanlaih, mhgoi
neih giu keuih da dihnwa
bei Jeung Saang la.
Qungyahn
Keuih ji ihji neih ge dihnwa
geido houh a?
Jeung Saang
Keuih ihji ga. Hgoh ge dihnwa
haih chat baat ...
Qungyahn
Dang ngoh lo ji bat sin la.
(She returns with
Gungyahn
Wei, geido houh ra?
Jenng Saang
Chat baat luhk lihng ngh gau.
Qungyahn
Chat baat luhk lihng ngh gau.
Hon, keuih faanlaih, ngoh
mh keuih ji la.
Mrs. Lee.
She's gone out. Who is calling
please?
My naae is Cheung. When will
she be back?
Probably a little after 12.
She's going to come home for
lunch. What is it you want?
Well, (when) she comes home,
please ask her to call Mr.
Cheung.
Does she know your telephone
number?
She doesn' t know. My tele-
phone number is 7 8 ...
Let me get a pen first*
a pen: )
Hello, what number did you
say?
786059
786059
All right — when she comes back,
I'll tell her.
203
LESSON 9
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Jeung Saang
Hou, mhgoi. Fine; thanks.
+ + + + + + + + + + + ++ +
Pronunciation Practice:
1. i as in si, chi, ji, dl, njC, sib, sih, houh.il
i as syllable final is a high front unrounded vowel-- [ i ].
Listen and repeat:
1. nl nl
2. si si .
3. sih sih .
k. sih sih
5. ji jl
2. Ik as in slk, sihk
ik is a two-part final composed of the high front unrounded vowel
i plus the velar stop consonant k. Before k the tongue position for
i approaches higher-mid front unrounded [ e ] , tenser and lower than
the American i in "sick," — [I], closer to the French e in ete,
'summer.* The tongue position of k following the front vowel is more
forward than that of k following the back vowels u, o, and a —
[Ik" 1 ].
Listen and repeat:
1. slk slk slk .
2. sihk sihk sihk . fa
3. i/ik contrasts
Note that in addition to the difference in tongue position for i
as a final and before k as described, there is also a length differ
ence. i before k is shorter than i as final — [l"k ] or [e "k ] , and
Ci: ].
Listen and repeat:
1. sih sih , sihk sihk .
2. sih sihk , sihk sih .
4. ing as in lihng . sing , pihnggwo . chtngcho
ing is a two-part final composed of the high front unrounded
vowel i and the velar nasal ng. The tongue position for i before ng
is similar to that of i before k — lowered from high front position.
The vowel is open before the nasal final.
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE L£SSON 9
Liaten and repeat:
1. sing sing #L , lihng lihng , ching ching ij| .
2. ching sing lihng . f| Jr± j£
3. lihng lihng ^ , pihng pihng ^ .
5. ing/eng contrasts
Listen and repeat:
1. lihng lihng ^ , pehng pehng ^ .
2 . pihng pihng pihnggwo . Ifc-Hfc
3. pihng pehng , pihng pehng
k. leng sing-fei£, sing leng4£-j&.
6. ing/ ik contrasts
Listen and repeat:
1. s£k s£k ^ 1 sing sing At .
2. sihk sihk ^ , sing sing
7. eu finals
A. eut, eun , and eui
Listen and repeat:
1. cheut, seut 'Y&.
2. deui, heui £
3. jeun, jeun ^
B. eung and euk
Listen and repeat:
1. Jeung cheuhng tf*-
2. seung, leuhng & <^
3. jeuk, jeuk
8. £ as in sing , sihk , si, se, sei, seung , saang , sahp , seui .
s is an initial consonant in Cantonese. Like the American s (as
in 'see'), the Cantonese s is voiceless. In terms of air flow the
American and Cantonese s sounds are the same — both are spirants, that
is to say, the air is forced through a narrow passage under friction,
producing a hissing sound. The tongue position for the Cantonese s
differs from that of the American s_. The friction points for the
Cantonese sound are the blade of the tongue (that part just back from
the tip) and the dental ridge. The flat surface of the blade of the
tongue comes close to the dental ridge (the tip of the tongue is at
205
rest, approximately near the base of the upper teeth) and air is forced
through the passage thus provided. For the American s, the friction
points are the tip of the tongue, not the blade, and the dental ridge.
For the American s the grooved tip of the tongue approaches the dental
ridge and air is forced through this passageway. For the Cantonese
sound the lips are rounded before a rounded vowel and spread before
an unrounded one.
1. Compare American and Cantonese s sounds:
American Cantonese
1. see see see si si si
2. sing sing sing sing sing sing
3. set set set se se se
4. say say say sei sei sei
5. son son son san san san
6. soot soot soot seut seut seut
2. Listen and repeat:
1.
si
, si
, si
2.
sih
, sih
i 1
3.
0
se
, se
, se
4.
sing
, sing
5.
seut
, seut
sih
sing
, seut
s/j/ch compared.
There are some similarities of tongue positioning among these
sounds. To make 8 the blade of the tongue approaches close to the
dental ridge at the point where the tongue touches the ridge to make
the J and ch sounds. The flat surface of the blade is the friction
point for all three sounds.
Listen and repeat:
1. ji £ , chi ,k , si .
2. jing 3- , ching $ , sing At .
3. je iS. , che ^- , se %. .
4. jai , chain flfc , sai &e .
206
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE lssson q
II. NOTES
1. bo = sentence suffix expressing definiteness, conviction.
Ex: Keuih cheutjo gaai laak. She's gone out. (change from
former condition)
Keuih cheutjo gaai bo. She's gone out, that's
definite.
(See BC)
2. -jo verb suffix indicating accomplishment of intended action.
This will be treated in detail in later lessons. At present
learn it in the set phrases you will be apt to need to say and com-
prehend over the telephone:
Ex: Keuih faanjo gung. He's gone x,o work.
[return- jo work]
Keuih heuijo gaai. She's gone out (from her own
house). [go-j6 street]
Keuih faanjo ngukkei. He's gone home.
[return-jo home]
(See BC and Drills 1.3, jjj 5, 6, 7 )
3. £e translated as possessive.
ge is suffixed to personal nouns and pronouns to show ownership,
'belonging to,' referred to in grammatical terms as the possessive.
ge operates as possessive in noun phrases both in head and modifier
structures:
a. In head structures:
ge combines with a preceding personal noun (or pronoun)
to form the head of a noun phrase.
Ex: 1. Go di „ , Those . N .
Go bun syu halh That book < 8 > Ware
Siuje ge . Miss Lee's.
2. Nl di ... These are
Nl bun haih n S° h S e - This one is mine *
3. Leih Sluje ge haih Miss Lee's is a new one.
san ge. are ones.
k. Ngoh ge haih gauh ge. Mine are old ones.
is an one.
In a head structure g_e cannot be omitted from the N-ge combination.
(See Drills 10, 11 )
207
LESSON 9
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
b. In modification structures:
ge combines with personal nouns (and pronouns) to form a
possessive modifier to a following noun head.
Sx: 1. Ngoh ge dihnwa haih
. . .houh.
My telephone number is....
Their girlfriends have gone
home.
I don't like Miss Lee's new
sweater.
2. Keuihdeih ge neuih
pahngyauh faanjo
ngukkei laak.
3. Ngoh mhjungyi Leih
Siuje ge san
laangsaam.
(See BC)
k. Re/Measure overlap.
ge may replace the measure in a modification structure.
Ex: 1. NgSn go neui mhhai
douh.
2. Ngoh di neui mhhai
douh.
My daughter is not here.
My daughters are not here.
3. Ngoh ge neui mhhai
douh.
My daughter(s) is (are) not
here.
5. Possessive modification without ge or Measure.
A few nouns accept modification by personal nouns and pronouns
directly. Pahngyauh , (ngVukkei, and gungyahn are the only nouns
of this type we have studied so far.
Ex: Ngoh pahngyauh My f riend/f riends
Leih Siuje (ng)ukkei Miss Lee's home
But even for these nouns, ge must be used with bingo ge , whose?
to differentiate from bin go , which (M)?
Ex: Bin go pahngyauh?
Bingo ge pahngyauh?
Compare :
bingo ge pahngyauh?
bin go pahngyauh?
Leih Taai gaau bingo
ge pahngyauh?
Leih Taai gaau bin go
pahngyauh?
Which friend?
Whose friend?
whose friend?
which friend?
Whose friend does Mrs. Lee
teach?
Which friend does Mrs. Lee
teach?
The nouns that accept direct modification by personal noun/
208
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE lesson 9
pronoun will be treated as exceptions and noted as such. As a rule
of thumb, such nouns must be of more than one syllable.
6. yiu. . Y» . ; seung. .Y. . differentiated.
yiu . .Y. . = definitely intend to ..Y..
seung.. Y.. = plan to ..Y.. (but maybe it won't happen)
In English yiu can be translated as 'going to' if the sentence
is one of future reference. Yiu contrasts with seung in such sen-
tences in that with seung the implication is that it's iffy whether
or not the action expressed by the following verb will actually
take place, but with yiu the person has definitely made up his mind
to do the action.
Ex: 1. Keuih wah ngoh ji She told me she was planning
keuih seung faan- to come home for lunch,
laih sihk aan.
2. Keuih wah ngoh ji She told me she was coming
keuih yiu faanlaih home for lunch,
sihk aan.
7. seung . .Y. . and jungyi . .Y. .differentiated.
seung = would like to ..Y..; think I'll ..Y..
jungyi = like (as a general statement)
Ex: Ngoh seung yam dl chah. I'd like some tea.
Ngoh seung sihk go I'd like an apple,
pihnggwo.
Ngoh hou jungyi yam chah. I like to drink tea.
I like tea.
The differentiation of meaning between jungyi and seung breaks
down with a meyeh question, where the jungyi pattern is used as a
polite way to ask what the addressee wishes. (The jungyi meyeh ?
question may also mean: What do you like?)
Ex: Neih seung yam dl What would you like to drink?
meyeh a?
Neih jungyi yam dl What would you like to drink?
meyeh a?
(See Drill 12 )
209
LESSON 9
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
8. Omission of yat in certain 'one o'clock' phrases.
The numeral yat is ordinarily omitted in the spoken language
before the time measure dim, 'o'clock,' when dim is followed by
gel , lehng or bun .
Ex: 1. dim gei jung = sometime after one o'clock
2. dim lehng (jung) = a little after one o'clock
3. dim bun = half past one
(See Drill 7 )
In all other phrases concerning one o'clock, yat cannot be omitted.
9. Omission of go jih in a time phrase.
go jih is frequently omitted in the spoken language as the final
element in a time phrase.
Ex: saam dim yat = J>: 05
saam dim saam = 3:15
saam dim sei = 3:20
Note in these abbreviated forms that the numeral following dim
is in construction with an unspoken go jih , not with go gwat . Thus
saam dim saam is 3:15, not 3:^5. X:30 is never stated as X dim luhk ,
but as X dim bun .
(See Drill 7 )
Although infrequent, X dim yih rather than (-) X dim leuhng
is the abbreviated form for X dim leuhng go jih .
210
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 9
III. DRILLS
1. Substitution Drill: Repeat the first sentence, then substitute at
directed.
1. fthgoi neih giu Leih Taai
teng dihnwa la.
Please call Mrs. Lee to the
telephone.
2. Hon Taai
1. fthgoi neih giu Leih Taai
teng dihnva la.
3. Hoh Siuje
Jeung Saang
5. Chahn Taai
2. fthgoi neih giu Hoh Taai
teng dihnwa la.
3. fthgoi neih giu Hoh Siuje
teng dihnwa la.
k. fthgoi neih giu Jeung Saang
teng dihnwa la.
5. fthgoi neih giu Chahn Taai
teng dihnwa la.
2. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Jeung Saang,
teng dihnwa.
T: Mr. Cheung, telephone!
S: fthgoi neih giu
Jeung Saang
teng dihnwa.
S: Please ask Mr. Cheung to come
to the phone.
1.
Chahn Saang, teng dihnwa.
1. fthgoi neih giu Chahn Saang
teng dihnwa.
2.
Leih Taai, teng dihnwa.
2. fthgoi neih giu Leih Taai
teng dihnwa.
3.
Hoh Siuje, teng dihnwa.
3. fthgoi neih giu Hoh siuje
teng dihnwa.
4.
Wohng Saang, teng dihnwa.
k. fthgoi neih giu Wohng Saang
teng dihnwa.
5.
Lauh Taai, teng dihnwa.
5. fthgoi neih giu Lauh Taai
teng dihnwa.
3. Expansion Drill: telephone talk;
♦ 1. cho
+ cho sin (line, thread )
♦ Daap cho sin
listen and repeat:
mistake , make a mistake
wrong line
Wrong number I [connected the
wrong line]
211
LESSON 9
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
2. dang
+ dang (yat)jahn (var: ( yat) jan )
Ahgoi neih dang yatjahn.
fthgoi neih dang yatjahn la.
+ 3. faan
♦ faan gung
faanjo gung
Keuih faanjo gung.
Keuih faanjo gung bo.
♦ k. cheut gaai
cheutjo gaai
Keuih cheutjo gaai.
Keuih cheutjo gaai bo.
+ 5. faan (ng)ukkei
faanjo (ng)ukkei
Keuih faanjo (ng)ukkei
Keuih faanjo (ng)ukkei bo.
♦ 6. faan hohk
faanjo hohk
Keuih faanjo hohk la.
+ 7. heui gaai
heuijo gaai
Keuih heuijo gaai.
Keuih heuijo gaai bo.
♦ 8. jot dalaih
dangjahn joi dalaih
Dangjahn joi dalaih la.
a
wait
wait awhile
Just a moment, please.
[Please wait awhile]
Just a moment, please I
go [return] to place you
habitually go to .
go [return] to work
has gone [ or went] to work
(S)He's gone to work.
I am sorry, but he's gone to
work.
go out [oat (to) street]
has gone [ or went] out
(S)He's gone out.
I'm sorry, but she's gone out.
go [return] home
has gone [ or went] home
(S)He'a gone home.
I'm sorry, but he's gone home.
go [return] to school
gone to school, left for school
He's gone to school.
go out [go (to) street]
has gone (or went) out
(S)He's gone out.
I'm sorry, but he's gone out.
call back (on the phone)
call back later
Call back later.
Repeat the final sentence of each of the above problem
sentences as a Listen and Repeat drill, students repeating
after the teacher.
b. Repeat, teacher giving the English of the final sentences,
students called on individually to give Cantonese equiva-
lents.
212
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 9
Conversation Drill: Carry on the suggested conversations following
the pattern of the example.
Ex: 1. T: Neih wan meyeh
a? /ji yuhn-
bat/
S: Ngoh wan ji yuhn-
bat.
2. T: Neih wan bingo a?
/Chahn Saang/
S: Ngoh wan Chahn
Saang.
T: What are you looking for?
/a pencil/
S: I'm looking for a pencil.
T: Who are you looking for?
/Mr. Chan/
S: I'm looking for Mr. Chan.
1.
Neih wan meyeh a? /baau
ylnjii/
1.
Ngoh
wan
baau ylnjai.
2.
Neih wan meyeh a? /ba je/
2.
Ngoh
wan
ba je.
3.
Neih wan bingo a? /Wohng Taai/
3.
Ngoh
wan
Wohng Taai.
4.
Neih wan bingo a? /Lauh Siuje/
if.
Ngoh
wan
Lauh Siuje.
5.
Neih wan meyeh a? /ji yuhnji-
bat/
5.
Ngoh
wan
ji yuhnjibat.
6.
Neih wan bingo a? /Jeung
Saang/
6.
Ngoh
wan
Jeung Saang.
a. Repeat as Conversation Drill,
thus:
1. T: /yuhnbat/
SI: Neih wan meyeh a?
S2: Ngoh wan ji yuhnbat.
2. T: /Chahn Saang/
SI: Neih wan bingo a?
S2: Ngoh wan Chahn Saang.
5. Conversation Drill
Ex: A: fthgoi neih giu
Wohng Saang teng
dihnwa la.
B: Keuih cheutjo gaai
bo. Gwaising wan
keuih a?
A: Sing Jeung ge.
1. A Uoh Taai
A: Please ask Mr. Wong to come
to the phone.
B: I'm sorry but he's gone out.
Who is calling please?
A: My name is Cheung*
1. A. fthgoi neih giu Hoh Taai
teng dihnwa la.
213
LESSON 9
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
B.
A Leih
2. A Jeung Saang
B.
A Man
3* A Chahn Sluje
B.
A.
Wohng
B. Keuih cheutjo gaai bo.
Gwaiaing wan keuih a?
A. Sing Leih ge.
2. A. fthgoi neih giu Jeung
Saang teng dinhwa la.
B. Keuih cheutjo gaai bo.
Qwaising wan keuih a?
A. Sing Man ge.
3. A. fthgoi neih giu Chahn _
Sluje teng dinhwa la.
B. Keuih cheutjo gaai bo.
Gwaising wan keuih a?
A. Sing Wdhng ge.
a. Continue, using actual names of students.
Comment: Blnwai ? . who ? (polite) may be substituted for
QwaisinK thus:
Gwaising wan keuih a?
Blnwai wan keuih a? Who is callin S her?
6. Translation & Conversation Drill
Sx: SI: fthgoi neih giu
Leih Saang teng
dihnwa la.
S2: Keuih heuijo gaai
bo.
1. A
T. Wrong number I
B
2. A
T. Just a moment, please.
B
3. A
SI: Please ask Mr. Lee to come to
the phone.
S2: I'm sorry, but he's gone out.
1. A. fthgoi neih giu Leih
Saang teng dihnwa la.
B. Daap cho sin.
2. A. fthgoi neih giu Leih
Saang teng dihnwa la.
B. fthgoi neih dang yatjan
IS.
3. A. fthgoi neih giu Leih
Saang teng dihnwa la.
21k
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 9
T. He' a gone to work.
B
k. A
T. He' 8 gone out.
B
5. A
T. He's gone home.
B
6. A
T. He's gone to school.
B
B. Keuih faanjo gung bo.
k. A. fthgoi neih giu Leih
Saang teng dihnwa la.
B. Keuih cheutjc- gaai bo.
or
Keuih heuijo gaai bo.
5. A. fthgoi neih giu Leih
Saang teng dihnwa la.
B. Keuih faanjo ngukkei bo.
6. A. fthgoi neih giu Leih
Saang teng dihnwa la.
B. Keuih faanjo hohk bo.
7. Expansion Drill:
Ex: T: chat dim
S: Yihga chat dim _
+ gamseuhngha la.
( approximately )
T: Nl tiuh dyunfu sahp
man.
S: Nl tiuh dyunfu sahp
man gamseuhngha la.
♦ 1. dim bun .
1:30 ( time expression )
2. luhk dim saam
six-fifteen
(short for luhk dim
saamgojih)
3* Nl gihn cheuhngsaam
yahngh man.
k. Nl tiuh cheuhngfu sahpluhk
T:
S:
T:
S:
5. Nl gihn laangsaam sa'ahsei man.
7 o'clock.
It's about 7 o'clock.
These shorts are $10.
These shorts are about $10.
1. Yihga dim bun gamseuhngha la.
It's about 1:30.
2. Yihga luhk dim saam
gamseuhngha la.
3. Nl gihn cheuhng saam yahngh
man gamseuhngha la.
k, Nl tiuh cheuhngfu sahpluhk
man gamseuhngha la.
5. Nl gihn laangsaam sa'ahsei
man gamseuhngha la.
215
LESSON 9 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Comments: a. gamseuhngha attaches to the end of a number ex-
pression, to make it an approximate number.
8. Expansion Drill
T: Mrs. Lee says this one is ten
dollars.
Ex: T: Leih Taai wah_nl
gihn sahp man.
S: Leih Taai wah ngoh S: Mrs. Lee told me this one is
ji nl gihn sahp man ten dollars.
1. Leih Saaag wah keuih sahp
dim faanlaih.
2. Keuih wah go go yahn haih
sing Wohng ge.
3. Chahn Taai wah keuih hohk
Gwongdungwi.
4. Hoh Siuje wah keuih go blu
hou pehng.
5. Keuih wah keuih sahpyih dim
yiu jau laak.
1. Leih Saang wah ngoh ji
keuih sahp dim faan-
laih.
2. Keuih wah ngoh ji go go
yahn haih sing Wohng ge.
3. Chahn Taai wah ngoh ji
keuih hohk Gwongdungwa.
4. Hoh Siuje wah ngoh ji keuih
go blu hou pehng.
5. Keuih wah ngoh ji keuih
sahpyih dim yiu jau laak.
Comment: wah (Person ji )«'tell someone' , is interchangeable with
gong (Person) teng . gong (Person) ii . and wah (Person)
Learn to recognize the alternate ways when you hear
them.
9. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Keuih sink faahn. T:
S: Qiu keuih sihk faahn S:
la I
1. Leih Taai, teng dihnwa.
Telephone for you, Mrs. Lee.
2. Keuih yihga faanlaih.
He's coming back now.
3. Keuih dang jahn joi da laih.
He is eating dinner.
Tell him to come to dinner!
(i.e. Dinner is on the
table-come eat.)
1. Giu Leih Taai teng dihnwa la!
Tell Mrs. Lee to come to
the phone.
2. Giu keuih yihga faanlaih la!
Tell him to come back
right now.
3. Giu keuih dang jahn joi
da laih la I
216
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 9
He'll call back in a
little while.
k, Keuih leuhng dim lain wan k.
ngoh.
She's coming to see me [lit:
look for me] at two o'clock.
( heui wan yahn = go see someone )
5. Keuih gaau ngoh gong Gwong- 5«
dungwa.
Tell him to call back in
a little while.
Giu keuih leuhng dim laih
wan ngoh la I
Tell her to come see me
at 2 o'clock.
Giu keuih gaau ngoh gong
Gwongdungwa la I
10. Response Drill
Ex: T: Nl bun syii haih^ T: Whose book is this? /I/
bingo ga ? /ngoh/
1.
f S: Haih ngoh ge. S: It'
(ge = possessive marker)
Go ba je haih bingo ga? 1.
/ngoh gungyahn/
's mine.
Haih ngoh gungyahn ge.
2.
Nl dl bat haih bingo ga?
Aeih Siuje/
2.
Haih
Leih Siuje ge.
3.
Go dl maht haih bingo ga?
/Wohng Saang/
3.
Haih
Wohng Saang ge.
«f.
Nl leuhng ji bejau haih bingo
ga? /ngoh pahngyauh/
k.
Haih
ngoh pahngyauh ge.
5.
Go saam go pihnggwo haih bingo
ga? /go go Yinggwokyahn/
5.
Haih
go go Yinggwokyahn ge.
11. Response Drill
Ex: T: Bin ji yuhnjibit
haih neih ga?
/haak slk/
S: Haakslk go ji.
1. Bin gihn seutsaam haih neih
pahngyauh ga? /cheuhngdl/
2. Bin ba je haih neih ga?
/daaihdl/
3. Bin bun syu haih neih ga?
/saidl/
i +. Bin gihn laangsaam haih neih
ga? /sa'ahsei houh/
217
T: Which ball point pen is yours?
S: That (or the ) black one.
1. Cheuhngdl go gihn.
2. Daaihdl go ba.
3. Saidl go bun.
1 t. Sa'ahsei houh go gihn.
LSSSOy 9 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
5. Bin deui haaih haih neih ga? 5. Baat houh go deui.
/baat houh/
6. Bin tiuh fu haih neih ga? 6. Dyun go tiuh.
/dyun/
12. Substitution Drill: Repeat the
directed.
1. Ngoh hou jungyi yam bejau.
I like to drink beer. =
I like beer.
J>. /seung/
l*. /meyeh/
5. /jungyi/
6. /gafe/
7. /ih jungyi/
8. /mhseung/
9. /seung mhseung/
10. /hou seung/
11. A°u jungyi/
first sentence, then substitute as
1. Ngoh hou jungyi yam bejau.
2. Keuih hou jungyi yam bejau.
He likes to drink beer.
3. Keuih seung yam bejau.
He'd like some beer.
k. Keuih seung yam meyeh a?
What would he like to
drink?
5. Keuih jungyi yam meyeh a?
What does he like ...?
or (Polite)
What does he want ...?
6. Keuih jungyi yam gafe.
He likes coffee.
7. Keuih mh jungyi yam gafe.
He does not like coffee.
8. Keuih mhseung yam gafe.
He does not want any
coffee.
9. Keuih seung mhseung yam gafe
a?
Would he like some coffee?
10. Keuih hou seung yam gafe.
He'd like yery much to
hare some coffee.
11. Keuih hou jungyi yam gafe.
He likes coffee.
2. A«uih/
IV. CONVERSATIONS FOR LISTENING
(On tape. Listen to tape with book closed.)
218
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 9
V. SAY IT IN CANTONilSE
A. On the telephone, you say:
1. Hello, who are you calling?
2. Mr. Chang is out — may I take
a message [lit: What is
your business?]
3. What did you say your name
was? Please speak louder.
Mrs. Ma has gone to work.
5. May I speak to Mr. Lee?
6. Please ask Miss Ho to come
to the phone.
7. My phone number is .
•8. Hello, what number did you
say?
9. When is Mr. Lau coming home?
10. When he comes back I'll tell
him.
B. And the other person responds:
1. Please ask Mr. Chang to
come to the phone.
2. My name is Wong. Please
ask Mr. Chang to call
me when he gets back.
3. My name is .
My phone number is
k. Will she be home for lunch?
5. He '8 gone home.
6. You have the wrong number.
7. Just a minute, let me get
a pen.
8. .
9. I don't know. Do you have a
message?
10. Thank you.
Vocabulary Checklist for Lesson 9
1.
aan (var: ngaan)
bf :
2.
cheut gaai
VO:
3.
cho
n/v:
k.
Daaihsengdl
Ph:
5.
dang yatjan
(also dang yatjahn)
Ph:
6.
Daap cho sint
Ph:
7.
da
v:
8.
dihnwa
VO:
9.
dang
v:
10.
dang Person Verb
v:
11.
dihnwa
n:
12.
dim bun
TW:
noon, midday
go out (from one's own house)
mistake, make a mistake
Speak louderl
wait awhile
Wrong number! [caught-mistake-line]
hit
make a telephone call
wait
allow, let Person do something ; wait
while Person does something .
telephone
i:30 o'clock
219
LESSON 9 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
V I
Ik. faan gung
VO:
13. faan hohk
VO:
16. faanlaih
v:
17. faan (ng) ukkei
VO:
l8. gamseuhngha
Ph:
19. ge
bf :
20. geido houh?
Ph:
21. geisi? or geisih?
QW:
22. giu
v:
23. gong Person ji
Ph:
24. gong Person teng
Ph:
25. gungyahn
n:
VO:
27. -16
Vsuf:
28. joi dalaih
Ph:
29. lehng
nu:
30. lihng
nu:
31. lo
v:
32 . ngaan
bf :
33- ngukkei or ukkei
PW:
34. sih
v:
35. sihk (ng)aan
VO:
36. sin
adv/se :
37. sin
n:
38. teng
v:
39. teng dihnwa
VO:
40. ukkei or ngukkei
PW:
4l. wah ngoh ji
Ph:
42. wah yahn teng
Ph:
43. wah yahn ji
Ph:
44. wan
v:
45. wan yahn
VO:
return (to/from a place you habitually
go to)
go [return] to work
to to school
come back, return (here)
go [return] home
approximately
mark of the possessive, joins with pre-
ceding personal noun (or pronoun) to
form possessive.
what number?
when?
instruct, tell, order, call
tell someone
tell someone
servant , laborer
go out (from one's own house)
verb suf. indicating accomplishment of
the action
call back (on the phone)
•and a little bit* in a number phrase
zero
fetch, to go get (something)
noon, midday
home
business, affair, matter
eat lunch
first
line, thread
hear, listen to
talk [listen] on the telephone
home
tell me
tell someone
tell someone
look for, search
look someone up
220
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 9
46. heui/laih wan yahn
47. Weil
48. (Yauh) meyeh Bih a?
49. yauh sih
50. yiu
Ph.: come/go see someone
ex: Hellol (Telephone greeting)
Ph: What is it you want? (i.e., (on the phone)
May I take a message?)
VO: have something to attend to; have errand,
business
auxV: going to, intend to
221
LESSON 10
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
I. BASIC COHVERSATIOH
A. Buildup ;
yauhhaak
blndouh?
til
Yauhhaak
hai blndouh a?
jaudia
Mahnwih Jaudia
Mahnwih Jaudia hai blndouh a?
Chang mahn . ..?
Cheng nahn, Mahnwah Jaudia
hai blndouh a?
Bnndeihyahn
bundeihyahn
-bihn
go bihn
hai go bihn
Nii
Net -hai go bihn.
taidou
Yauhhaak
taiahdou
tourist
where?
location verb, variously
translated, 'is located.'
where is (it)?
hotel
Mandarin Hotel
Where is the Mandarin Hotel?
May I ask ...? polite for a
used in asking questions,
equivalent to English:
Could you please tell
ae ...?
Could you please tell ae where
the Mandarin Hotel is?
a native, person belonging
to a place by ancestry
and upbringing.
side
over there, on that side
(it) is over there
there! an exclaaatioa
accoapanying pointing out
something to soaebody.
There} — over there.
see [look successfully »
see]
look, but don't see; don't
see.
222
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON 10
Deuihiyjyuh, ngoh taiihdou.
Go biha blndouh a?
Bundeihyahn
deuimihn
aahtaah
aihtauh deuialha
Tinning Mahtauh
Hai Tinning Mahtauh deuiaihn.
Tauhhaak
gingsl
yiuh aouh gungsl a?
nljogan, (rar: jogan)
Nljogan yiuh aouh gungsl a?
Bundeihyahn
Tauh.
gaaa
Na - go biha yiuh gaaa.
agahnhohng
go gaaa ngahahohag
gaakleih
Hai go gaan agahnhohng gaakleih.
Tauhhaak
A I Taidou laakl fthgoi.
Excuse as, I don't see it. 0»«r
there where?
opposite, facing
pier, wharf
opposite the pier
Star Ferry Pier
It's opposite the Star Ferry
Pier.
departaent store
is there a departaent store?
hereabouts, close by
Is there a departaent store
near here?
Tes, there is.
Measure for buildings
There's one oyer there.
bank
that bank
next to, adjacent
Next to the bank.
Oh, I see itl Thanks.
B. Recapitulation ;
Tauhhaak
Cheng aahn, Mahawah Jiudia Could you please tell ae where
hai blndouh a? the Mandarin Hotel is?
Bundeihyahn
Net — hai go biha. There t — oyer there.
Tauhhaak
Deuiahjyuh, agin taiihdou. Excuse ae, I don't see it.
do biha blndouh a? Orer there where?
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LESSON 10
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Bundeihyahn
Hai Tlnslng Mahtanh deuimihn.
It's opposite the Star Ferry
Pier.
Yauhhaak
Nljogan yauh mouh gangs I a?
Is there a department store
near here?
Oh, I see it I
Yes, there is. There's one
oyer there.
the hank.
It's next to
Thanks.
II. NOTES
A. Culture Notee: Restaurants :
In this lesson we introduce two of the many names for different
types of restaurants: chaansat , and chahlauh . Chaansat is the generic
term for a restaurant serving Western food. (Western in contrast
to Chinese, that is.) chahlauh is the word for Cantonese teahouse,
mentioned in the notes for Lesson 5. In the teahouse you select what
you want to eat from trays of hot snacks that are circulated up and
down the aisles of the restaurant by vendor-girls. You don't have
to order, just point. Very convenient for beginning language students.
Of other names for restaurants, chaanteng refers to restaurants
serving Western food, ( chaansat is the generic term, chaanteng is
more elegant, used more frequently in restaurant names. 3x: Meih
Sam Chaanteng haih gaan chaansat . 'Maxim's Restaurant is a restaurant
serving Western food.)
B. Structure Notes
1. Placewords .
Placeword is a name given to expressions which can, as the
final element in the sentence, follow the location verb hai . Place-
words can occupy the positions of subject, object, and modifier.
22k
Restaurants serving Chinese food are called jauga, jaulauh ,
faahndim . choigwun , and faahngwun .
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 10
There are several different kinds of placewords:
1. Geographic names:
Heunggong = Hong Kong
Keuih yihga hai Heunggong. = He is in Hong Kong now.
Geographic names may also function as ordinary nouns,
though this is not their most common use.
Ex: Bingo wah yauh Who says there are two Hong
leuhng go Kongs?
Heunggong a?
2. Locatives
Locatives are pronouns of place, whose meanings derive
from position in relation to another element:
Ex: nldouh = 'here' [near-place]
in relationship to the speaker =
near the speaker
godouh = 'there' [distant-place]
in relationship to the speaker =
distant from the speaker
deuimihn = opposite, facing [facing-face]
in relationship to speaker or other
place element: facing the point of
reference.
Keuih hai nldouh. He is here.
Keuih hai godouh. He is there.
Keuih hai deuimihn. He is facing (this way).
(See BC and Drill 6 )
Locatives may be preceded by placeword nouns in modifi-
cation-head structure.
Ex: Keuih hai gaakleih. He is next door.
[adjacent]
Keuih hai ngahnhohng He is next door to the
gaakleih. bank.
(See BC and Drill 7 )
3. Some ordinary nouns double as placewords.
Ex: chahlauh = teahouse
a. as an ordinary noun:
Go pan chahlauh That teahouse is very
hou gwai. expensive.
225
LESSON 10 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
b. as a placeword:
Wohng Saang hai Mr. Wong is at the tea-
chahlauh. house.
(See Drill 2 )
k. Nouns and pronouns which are not placewords (cannot
follow hai as final element in sentence) form place-
word phrases by suffixing a locative or the boundword
-douh 'place.'
Ex: Bun syu hai ngoh The book is (here) by me.
(nl)douh.
Bun syu hai Leih The book is at Mr. Lee's.
Saang douh.
Bun syu hai toi The book is (there) on
(go) douh. the table.
2. -douh , -syu = placeword formants
-douh 'place,' is a boundform, left-bound to the verb hai ,
or to one of the specifiers nl /go/bln , or to a noun or pronoun to
form a place phrase.
Ex: 1. Wdhng Taai hai mhhai Is Mrs. Wong at home? or
douh a? here? or there? [i.e.,
at the place where the
listener is]
Hai douh. (She) is here.
Mhhai douh. She's not here.
2. Keuih hai nldouh. She's at this place.
3. Keuih hai ngoh douh. She's at my place, (here
by me.)
-syu . 'place,' is another boundword of place, which can be
substituted for -douh everywhere. In Hong Kong -douh seems favored
by most speakers, but -syu is occasionally heard also.
3. hai = location verb, requiring placeword object.
a. hai occurs: (1) as the only verb in the sentence, and
(2) as one verb in a series of verbal expressions.
(1) as the only verb in the sentence:
aff: Keuih hai Meihgwok. He's in America.
neg: Keuih mhhai Meihgwok. He isn't in America.
q: Keuih hai mhhai Is he in America?
Meihgwok a?
(See BC and Drills 1, 2. 3. k )
226
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON 10
(2) as one verb in a series of verbal expressions:
aff: Keuih hai ukkei dang She's waiting (or waited)
ngoh. for me at home.
neg: Keuih mhhai ukkei She's not waiting ( or
dang ngoh. didn't wait) for me at home.
q: Keuih haih mhhaih Is she waiting (or did she
hai ukkei dang neih a? wait) for you at home?
(See Drill j?)
b. Translation of hai into English
When hai is the only verb in the sentence, it translates into
English as the appropriate tense and person of the verb 'be,' with
in/on/ at/ added as necessary, according to the requirements of
English grammar.
Ex: 1. Keuih hai meihgwok. He is/was in America.
2. Keuih hai ukkei. He is/was (at) home.
3. Keuih hai sejihlauh. He is/was at the office.
k. Keuih hai godouh. He is/was there.
When hai is one verb in a series of verbs, it translates into
English as a preposition — 'at,' 'on,' or 'in.'
Ex: Keuih hai Meihgwok He waited/is waiting for
dang ngoh. me in America.
k. Placeword .yauh Noun sentence type.
The Placeword yauh Noun sentence is a form of SVO sentence, with
yauh as 'there is,' 'there are,' 'there exists.'
Ex: aff: 1. Gaakleih yauh (gaan) Next door there is a bank,
ngahnhohng.
neg: 2. Gaakleih mouh There's no bank next door,
ngahnhohng.
q: 3- Gaakleih^yauh mouh Is there a bank next door?
ngahnhohng a?
(See BC and Drills 11, 12, 1? )
5. Pivotal constructions: PW yauh SVO
The PW yauh N sentence can be expanded to PW yauh SVO , with the S
of the SVO standing as the object of the first verb (yauh) and the
subject of the verb which follows it. Such a construction, in which
the object of V^ is the subject of V.,, we call a pivotal construction.
Ex: Gaakleih yauh yahn 6ihk Next door there are people
faahn. ( or there is someone)
eating dinner.
(See Drill 14)
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LESSON 10
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
6. -dou = verb suffix, indicating successful accomplishment of action
of the verb.
a. Verbs which take the suffix -dou include the following;
Verb
tai
wan
look
V-dou
taidou
search, look for wandou
maaih buy
raaaihdou
see [look successfully]
find [search success-
fully]
buy [i.e. after over-
coming obstacles]
b. Illustrative examples:
A. Tai mhtaidou go gaan
ngahnhohng a?
B. Taidou.
C. Taimhdou.
A. Ne, hai go gaan jaudim
gaakleih.
C. A, yihga taidou laak.
c. Verb forms of V-dou :
aff: taidou
neg: taimhdou (or mhtaidou)
q: tai mhtaidou? (or tai mhtaidakdou? )
Of the negative forms V-mhd6u is more common, though
mhtaidou also is said. Both question forms are common.
(See BC and Drill 13 )
A: Do you see that bank?
B: Yes, I see it.
C: No, I don't see it.
A: There — next to the hotel.
C: Oh, now I see it.
228
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 10
III. DRILLS
1. Expansion Drill: Students point nearby for nldouh . away for godouh .
Ex: T: /Ngoh/Neih/Keuih/ T: I, you, he.
+ S: Ngoh hai nldouh . S: I'm here ;
+ Neih hai godouh .
Keuih hai bindouh a?
1. /ngohdeih/neihdeih/keuihdeih/
2. /Chahn Saang/Chahn Taai/Chahn
sluje/
3. /tiuh fu/gihn seutsaam/
deui haaih/
k. /jiyihnbat/ji yuhnjlbat/
bun syu/
5. /dl pihnggwo/dl chaang/di jiu/
you're there ;
where's she?
1. Ngohdeih hai nldouh;
neihdeih hai godouh;
keuihdeih hai blndouh a?
2. Chahn Saang hai nldouh;
Chahn Taai hai godouh;
Chahn Sluje hai blndouh a?
3. Tiuh fu hai nldouh;
gihn seutsaam hai godouh;
deui haaih hai blndouh a?
*t. Ji yuhnbat hai nldouh;
ji yuhnjlbat hai godouh;
bun syu hai blndouh a?
5. Dl pihnggwo hai nldouh;
dl chaang hai godouh;
dl jlu hai blndouh a?
2. Conversation Drill: Carry on the suggested conversations
following the pattern of the example.
Ex: T: /jaudim/
Si: Keuih hai bxndouh a?
S2: Keuih hai jaudim.
1. /ngahnhohng/
+ 2. /chaansat/
(Western restaurant)
+ 3. /chahlauh/
( teahouse )
k. /jaudim/
+ 5. /sejihlauh/
Uffice)
hotel
Where is (or was) he? /hotel/
He is (or was) at the hotel.
1. Si: Keuih hai blndouh a?
S2: Keuih hai ngahnhohng.
2. SI: Keuih hai blndouh a?
S2: Keuih hai chaansat.
3. SI: Keuih hai blndouh a?
S2: Keuih hai chahlauh.
k. SI: Keuih hai blndouh a?
S2- Keuih hai jaudim.
5» SI: Keuih hai blndouh a?
S2: Keuih hai sejihlauh,
229
LESSOT 10 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
6. /gungsl/ 6. SI: Keuih hai blndouh a?
S2: Keuih hai gungsl.
+ 7. /touhsyugwun/ 7. SI: Keuih hai blndouh a?
( library ) g2 . R , uih ^ touh8yugwin>
3. Expansion Drill:
Ex: T: Chahn Taai ahhai '.
ngukkei.
/chaansat/
S: Chahn Taai mhhai t
ngukkei, hai
chaansat.
1. Keuih ahhai touhsyugwun.
/gungsl/
Re's not at the library,
/department store/
2. Leih Saang mhhai gungsl.
/jaudim/
3. Leih Siuje ahhai chaansat.
/sejihlauh/
'f. Chahn Saang mhhai sejihlauh.
/chaansat/
+ 3. Mahnwah Jaudim ahhai Daaih
Donh Jung . /Tlnslng Mahtauh
deuimihn/
The Mandarin Hotel is not on
Queen's Road Central ,
/opposite the Star Ferry/
+ 6. do che jaahm ahhai deuimihn.
+ /ni bihn/ '
The bus stop is not across
the street, /this side/
♦ 7. Meihgwok Ngahnhohng ahhai ni
bihn. /deuimihn/
The Bank of America is not on
this side.
♦ 8. Keuih gaan aguk mhhai Heunggong
ni bihn. /Qauluhng go bihn/
His house is not here on the
Hong Kong side, /there on the
Kowloon side/
: Mrs. Chan is not at hoae.
: Mrs. Chan is not at home,
she's at the restaurant.
1. Keuih ahhai touhayugwun,
hai gungsl.
He's not at the library,
he '8 at the department
store.
2. Leih Saang mhhai gungsl,
hai jaudim.
3. Leih Siuje ahhai chaansat,
hai sejihlauh.
k. Chahn Saang ahhai sejihlauh,
hai chaansat.
5. Mahnwah Jaudim^ mhhai Daaih
Douh Jung, hai Tlnslng
Mahtauh deuimihn.
6. Go che jaaha mhhai deuimihn,
hai ni bihn.
The car stop is not across
the street, it's on this
aide.
7. Meihgwok Ngahnhohng mhhai
ni bihn, hai deuimihn.
The Bank of America is
not on this side, it's in
front.
8* K'uih gaan nguk ahhai Heung-
gong ni bihn, hai Qauluhng
go bihn.
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 10
9. Heunggong chaansat mhhai go 9* Heunggong chaansat mhhai
bihn. /nl bihn/ gobihn, hai nl blhn.
10. Tlnslng Mahtauh mhhai gaakleih. 10. Tlnslng Mahtauh mhhai
/deuimibn/ gaakleih, hai deuimihn.
11. Meihgwok Jaudim mhhai (nl) 11. Meihgwok Jaudim ihhai
jogan. ( Jungwaahn/ (nl) jogan, hai Jungwaahn.
The American Hotel is not
hereabouts. /Central District/
12. Go gaan gungsl mbhai nl jogan. 12. Go gaan gungsl mhhai nl
/Daaih Doub Jung/ jogan, hai Daaih Douh
Jung.
Comments: (1) Meihgwok Jaudim, 'American Hotel' is the Hong Kong
Hilton, also called ' Heiyihdeuhn Jaudim '
(2) (ng)uk 'house,' is not the one you live in.
ngukkei . 'home,' 'house one lives in'
k. Alteration Drill
Ex: T: Wohng Saang hai
mhhai ukkei a?
S: Wohng Saang haih
mhhaib hai ukkei a?
1. Keuih hai mhhai sejihlaub a?
2. Chihn Siuje ba je hai mhhai
nldouh a?
Is Miss Chan's umbrella
here?
3. Hob Taai gihn laangsaam hai
mhhai neih ukkei a?
Is Mrs. Ho's sweater at
your house?
Comment: a location question
hai mbhai Placewor
T: Is Mr. Wong at home?
S: Is Mr. Wong at home?
1. Keuih haih mhhaih hai
sejihlauh a?
2. Chabn Sluje ba je haih
mhhaih hai nldouh a?
3. Hob Taai gihn laangsaam
haih mhhaih hai neih
ukkei a?
the choice type may be either
or haih mhhaih hai Placeword?
5. Substitution Drill: Repeat first sentence, then substitute as
directed.
1. Meihgwok Jaudim hai blndoub a? 1. Meihgwok Jaudim hai blndouh
Where is the American Hotel? a?
2. /Mabnwah Jaudim/ 2. Mahnwah Jaudim hai blndoub
a?
231
LESSON 10 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
3. /Meihgwok Ngahnhohng/
k. /Daaih Douh Jung/
5. /Neih ge sejihlauh/
+ 6. /Dakfuh Douh Jung/
Pes Voeux Road Central
7. /Tlnslng Mahtauh/
3. Meihgwok Ngah.nb.6hng hai
blndouh a?
Daaih Douh Jung hai blndouh
a?
5. Neih ge sejihlauh hai blndouh
a?
6. Dakfuh Douh Jung hai blndouh
a?
7. Tlnslng Mahtauh hai blndouh
a?
6. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Lauh siuje hai nldouh.T: Miss Lau is (or was) here.
S: Wohng Siuje wah ngoh S: Miss Wong told me Miss Lau
ji Lauh Sluje hai
nldouh.
was here.
1.
Lauh Siuje hai godouh.
1.
Wohng Siuje wah ngoh ji
Lauh Siuje hai godouh.
2.
Lauh Siuje hai nl bihn.
2.
Wohng Siuje wah ngoh ji
Lauh Siuje hai nl bihn.
3.
Lauh Siuje hai go bihn.
3.
Wohng Siuje wah ngoh ji
Lauh Siuje hai go bihn.
k.
Lauh Siuje hai deuimihn.
Wohng Siuje wah ngoh ji
Lauh Siuje hai deuimihn.
5.
Lauh Siuje hai gaakleih.
5.
Wohng Siuje wah ngoh ji
Lauh Siuje hai gaakleih.
6.
Lauh Siuje hai nljogan.
6.
Wohng Siuje^wah ngoh ^i.
Lauh Siuje hai nl jogan.
+ 7.
Lauh Siuje hai ouhnhau.
Miss Lauh is at the door,
(doorway)
7.
Wohng Siuje wah ngoh ji
Lauh Siuje hai muhnhau.
7. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Gaan ngahnhdhng T: The bank is on the opposite
hai deuimihn. side, /bus stop/
/che jaahm/
S: Gaan ngahnhohng hai S: The bank is opposite the bus
che jaahm deuimihn. stop.
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 10
1. Gaan gungsl hai deuimihn. 1.
/jaudim/
2. Gaan jaudim hai deuimihn. 2.
/gungsl/
3. Gaan ngahnhohng hai nl jogan. 3.
/che jaahm/
The bank is near here.
Go che jaahm hai nljogan. 1 t.
/ngahnhohng/
The bus stop is nearby, /bank/
5. Gaan gungsl hai gaakleih. 5*
/chaansat/
The department store is next
door, /restaurant/
6. Gaan chaansat hai gaakleih. 6.
/touhsyugwun/
7. NgSh ge sejihlauh hai nlbihn. 7.
/jaudim/
My office is on this side
of the 6treet. /hotel/
Gaan gungsl hai jaudim
deuimihn.
Gaan jaudim hai gungsl
deuimihn.
Gaan ngahnhohng hai che
jaahm nl jogan.
The bank is near the bus
stop, here.
Go che jaahm hai ngahnhohng
nl jogan.
The bus stop is near the
bank.
Gaan gungsl hai chaansat
gaakleih.
The department store is
next the restaurant.
Gaan chaansat hai tousyugwun
gaakleih.
Ngoh ge sejihlauh hai jaudim
nl bihn.
My office is this side
of the street, on the side
where the hotel is.
Comment on #7:
#7:
chah-
gung-
lauh
sl
#1
jau-
dim
sejih-
lauh
ngahn-
hohng
Ngoh ge sejihlauh hai jaudim nl bihn. Ngoh ,
sejihlauh . and jaudim are all on the same side
of the street. Above, in refering to the dept.
store, speaker would say: Gungsl hai chahlauh
go bihn . The dept. store is on that side (away
from me) where the teahouse is.
8. Response Drill
Ex: T: Meihgwok Jaudim
hai bindouh a?
/Daaih Douh Jung/
S: Meihgwok Jaudim hai
Daaih Douh Jung.
T: Where's the Hilton Hotel?
S: The Hilton Hotel is on Queen's
Koad Central.
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LESSON 10
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
1. Neih ge_sejihlauh hai blndouh
a? /Dakfuh Douh Jung/
2. Meihgwok Jaudim hai blndouh a?
/Daaih Douh Jung/
3. Daaih Douh Jung hai blndouh a?
/Heunggong ni bihn/
on the Hongkong side
♦ k. Mahnwah Jaudim hai blnbihn a?
/deuimihn/ ( which side ?)
3. Tlnslng Mahtauh hai blndouh a?
/go bihn/
6. Go che jaahra hai blndouh a?
/ngahnhohng deuimihn/
7. Touhsyugwun hai blndouh a?
/gaakleih/
1. NgSh ge sejihlauh hai Dakfuh
Douh Jung.
2. Meihgwok Jaudim hai Daaih
Douh Jung.
3. Daaih Douh Jung hai
Heunggong ni bihn.
k. Mahnwah Jaudim hai deuimihn.
5. Tlnslng Mahtauh hai go bihn.
6. Qo che jaahm hai ngahnhohng
deuimihn.
7. Touhsyugwun hai gaakleih.
Comment: People in Hongkong identify places as being 'on the
Hongkong side' or 'on the Kowloon side'. Kowloon and Hong-
kong are on opposite sides of the Hongkong Harbour.
Heunggong ni bihn ' on the Hongkong side ' [Hongkong this
side] is said from the standpoint of a person who is on
the Hongkong side. To him the Kowloon side would be
Gauluhng go bihn 'on the Kowloon side' [Kowloon that side].
9. Combining Drill
Ex: T: Keuih hai Meihgwok
Jaudim.
Keuih dang ngoh.
S: Keuih hai Meihgwok
Jaudim dang ngoh.
1. Keuih hai muhnhau.
Keuih dang pahngyauh.
2. Keuih hai Tlnslng Mahtauh.
Keuih dang pahngyauh.
3. Jeung Saang hai Yahtbun.
Jaung Saang gaau Yahtaahn.
k. Ngoh hai Heunggong.
Ngoh hohk Gwongdungwa.
♦5. Keuih hai Meihgwok Ngahnhohng
Keuih lo chin .
He withdraws money .
23k
T: He is (or was) at the American
Hotel.
He is (or was) waiting
( or He waited) for me.
S: He is (or was) waiting, (or
He waited) for me at the
American Hotel.
1. Keuih hai muhnhau dang
pahngyauh.
2. Keuih hai Tlnslng Mahtauh
dang pahngyauh.
3. Jeung Saang hai Yahtbun
gaau Yahtaahn.
k, Ngoh hai Heunggong hohk
Gwongdungwa.
3. Keuih hai Meihgwok Ngahn-
hohng lo ohin.
He's at the Bank of
America withdrawing money.
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 10
6. Cheuhn Taai hai che jaahm.
Cheuhn Taai dang che.
Mrs. Cheun is waiting for
the bus. [vehicle]
7. Wohng Siuje hai Junggwok
Chahlauh.
Wohng Siuje aihk faahn.
6. Cheuhn Taai hai che jaahm
dang che.
7. Wohng Siuje hai Junggwok
Chahlauh aihk faahn.
10. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Neih ba je hai
godouh . /Lauh
Taai/
T: Your umbrella ia over there.
/Mrs. Lau/
S: Neih ba ^e hai Lauh S: Your umbrella is there by Mrs.
• * Lau.
Taai godouh
1. Ji yuhnbat hai nldouh. /ngoh/
2. Qihn yuhlau hai godouh*
/Wohng Taai/
3. Ngoh baau ylnjai hai nldouh.
A«ih Siang/
k. Tiuh kwahn hai nldouh. /ngoh/
5. Qihn saaa hai godouh. /keuih/
1* Ji yuhnbat hai ngoh nldouh.
2. Gihn yuhlau hai Wohng Taai
godouh.
3. Ngoh baau ylnjai hai Leih
Saang nldouh.
't. Tiuh kwahn hai ngoh nldouh.
5. Gihn saam hai keuih godouh.
Comment: Nouns and pronouns which do not in themselves have any
reference to place, can function in placeword ex-
pressions when joined to a following locative.
11. Conversation Exercise
Ex: A: Nldouh jogan yauh
mouh chaansat a?
B: Yauh. Deuimihn yauh
gaan.
1. A ?
B. Yauh. Go bihn
2. A ?
B. Yauh. Gaakleih
3. A ?
A: Is there a western restaurant
around here?
B: Yes. There's one across the
street.
1. A. Nldouh jogan yauh mouh
chaansat a?
B. Yauh. Go bihn yauh gaan.
2. A. Nldouh jogan yauh mouh
chaansat a?
B. Yauh. Gaakleih yauh gaan.
3. A. Nldouh jogan yauh mouh
chaansat a?
235
LESSOR 10
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
B. Yauh. Dak Fuh Douh Jung ...
k. A ?
B. Yauh. Daaih Douh Jung ...
5. A ?
B. Yauh. Ngahnhohng gaakleih.
6. A ?
B. Yauh. Go gaan gungsl
deuimihn ...
B. Yauh. Dak Fuh Douh Jung
yauh gaan.
k. A. Nldouh jogan yauh mouh
chaanaat a?
B. Yauh. Daaih Douh Jung
yauh gaan.
5. A. Nldouh jogan yauh mouh
chaanaat a?
B. Yauh. Ngahnhohng gaakleih
yauh gaan.
6. A. Nldouh jogan yauh mouh
chaanaat a?
B. Yauh. Go gaan gungsl
deuimihn yauh gaan.
12. Substitution Drill: Repeat the first sentence then substitute as
directed.
1. Cheng mahn, nldouh jogan yauh
mouh gungsl a?
Could you please tell me,
is there a department store
around here?
2. /che jaahm/
3. /jaudim/
h. /chaanaat/
5. /ngahnhohng/
1. Nldouh jogan yauh mouh
gungsl a?
2. Cheng mahn, nl jogan yauh
mouh che jaahm a?
3. Cheng mahn, nldouh jogan
yauh mouh jaudim a?
k. Cheng mahn, nl jogan yauh
mouh chaanaat a?
5. Cheng mahn, nldouh jogan
yauh mouh ngahnhohng a?
13. Conversation Drill
Ex: T: /deuimihn/
+ SI: Neih tai mhtaidou
T: opposite
SI: Can you see what there ia
opposite us?
deuimihn yauh
meyeh a?
T: /jaudim/ T: hotel
S2: Deuimihn yauh gaan S2: Opposite us there's a hotel, or
jaudim.
There's a hotel across the
street.
236
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 10
1. /gaakleih/
/gungsl/
2. /godouh/
/chaansat/
3. /deuimihn/
/che jaaha/
1*. /gaakleih/
/ngahnhohng/
6./n£ bihn/
/jiudia/
1. A. Neih tai ahtaidou gaak-
leih yauh meyeh a?
B. Gaakleih yauh gaan
gungsl.
2. A. Neih tai ahtaidou godouh
yauh meyeh a?
B. Godouh yauh gaan chaansat.
3. A. Neih tai ahtaidou deui-
mihn yauh meyeh a?
B. Deuimihn yauh go che
jaaha.
k. A. Neih tai ahtaidou gaak-
leih yauh meyeh a?
B. Gaakleih yauh gaan
ngahnhohng.
5» A. Neih tai ahtaidou nlbihn
yauh meyeh a?
B. Nl bihn yauh gaan jaudia.
1^. Alteration Drill
Ex: T: Go jo yahn da dihn-
wa. /godouh/
S: Godouh yauh go
yahn da dihnwa.
1. Go go yahn wan neih.
/muhnhau godouh/
2. Go wai elnsaanj dang che.
/che jaaha godouh/
3. Go go Yinggwokyahn eihk chaan.
/chaansat godouh/
♦ *K Go go Meihgwokyahn tai syu .
/sejihlauh godouh/ ([ read -
book ] , read )
That American is reading.
5. Go go yahn maaih chaang.
/muhnhau/
6. Go go yahn da dihnwa,
/go bihn/
T: That aan is aaking a phone
call/there/
S: Over there there's a man
making a phone call.
1. Muhnhau godouh yauh go yahn
wan neih.
There's a man at the door
looking for you.
2. Che jaahm godouh yauh wai
slnsaang dang che.
3. Chaansat godouh yauh go
Yinggwokyahn sihk chaan.
k. Sejihlauh godouh yauh go
Meihgwokyahn tai syu.
5. Muhnhau yauh go yahn maaih
chaang.
6. Go bihn yauh go yahn da
dihnwa.
237
LESSON 10 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Comment:
Compare:
Note that in the left hand column sentences above, of
the etructure: Noun Phrase Verb Phrase , the nouns are
go go yahn = that person.
In the right hand column sentences, of the structure:
Placeword yauh Noun Phrase Verb Phrase , the nouns are
un-specific:
go yahn = 'a person'.
This is characteristic of the Placeword
yauh
structure.
(1) Go go yahn^hai go bihn
da dihnwa.
(2) Go bihn yauh go yahn da
dihnwa.
That man is making a
phone call over there.
Over there, there's some-
one making a phone call*
IV. CONVERSATIONS FOR LISTENING
(On tape. Refer to wordlist below as you listen.)
Unfamiliar terms, in order of occurrence:
1) yatjan = dangyatjahn = ' in a little while'
2) wan mhdou = can't find it, search but not successful
V. SAY IT IN CANTONESE
A. You ask a pedestrian:
1. Could you please tell me
where the Star Ferry is?
2. Could you please tell me
where the Hilton Hotel is?
3. Is there a car stop around
here?
h. Where is the Bank of America?
C. You ask a friend:
1. Where is your umbrella?
2. Where is your office?
3. Can you make out (see
successfully) what that is
across the street?
B. And he responds:
1. There! (pointing) It's
over there.
2. There 1 It's across the
street.
3. Yes, there's one opposite
the library.
k. The Bank of America is in
Central District.
D. And he replies:
1. It's here,
2. It's on Des Voeux Road
Central.
3. Across the street there's
a tea-house.
238
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 10
*t. Who is over there waiting
for you?
5. Where is Mr. Wong's office?
6. Is Mr. Wong in his office now?
7. There's a man over there
making a phone call —
do you know him?
k. It's my wife.
5. It's next to my office.
6. No, he's at home.
7. Yes, he's my student.
Vocabulary Checklist for Lesson 10
1.
uinDinn .
PW-
Jr n •
?
-hi hn
bf :
side
-1
hT nHniih*?
uxuuuuu •
QW:
where?
4.
hund^i h vahn
n:
a native of the place under discussion
c
n /PW •
w^stPY*Ti at vl ft restaurant
6.
chahlauh
n/PW:
Cantonese style tea-house
7.
che
n:
vehicle: car, bus, or tram
8.
che jaahm
n/PW:
car stop (bus or tram stop)
9.
cheng mahn
Ph:
'May I ask...?'
10.
Daaih Douh Jung
PW:
Queen's Road Central
11.
Datcfuh Douh Jung
PW:
Des Veoux Road Central
12.
deuimihn
PW:
opposite side
13.
-dou
vs :
verb suffix indicating successful accomplish-
ment of the action of the verb.
14.
gaan
m:
M. for buildings
15.
gaakleih
PW:
next door
16.
godouh
PW:
there
17.
go bihn
PW:
over there, on that side
18.
gungsl
n/PW:
department store; office (of a commercial
company)
19.
hai
v:
location verb, translated as: is in/at/on
20.
Heunggong
PW:
Hong Kong
21.
jaahm
n:
station, stop (as train station, bus stop)
22.
jaudim
n/PW:
hotel
23.
jogan
PW:
nearby, hereabouts
24.
Jungwaahn
PW:
Central District
239
LESSON 10 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
25. lo chin VO:
26. mahtauh n/PW:
27. Mahnwah Jaudim PW:
28. mahn v:
29. Meihgwok Jaudim PW:
30. Meihgwok Ngahnhohng PW:
31. muhnhau 11/PW:
32. Nel ex:
33. nlbihn PW:
34. nldouh PW:
35. nljogan PW:
36. ngahnhohng n/PW:
37. nguk (or uk) n/PW:
38. sejihlauh n/PW:
39. taimhdou VP:
40. taidou VP:
41. tai mhtaidou? VP:
42. tai syu VO:
43. Tlnslng Mahtauh PW:
44. touheyugwun n/PW:
^5. uk (var: nguk) n/PW:
46. yahnhaak n:
withdraw money (from bank)
pier
Mandarin Hotel
ask
•American Hotel,' (in HK, the Hong Kong
Hilton)
Bank of America
doorway
'There!' an exclamation used when pointing
out something to someone
this side
here
closeby, hereabouts
bank
house
office
can't see
see [look successfully]
can Cyou] see?
read (a book)
Star Ferry Pier
library
house
tourist
240
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 11
BASIC CONVERSATION
A. Buildup ;
(A brother and sister are sharing a taxi to work)
Salami
saimui
mhgeidak
daai
mhgeidak daai ohln
tia
Ngoh mhgeidak daai chin
ti>!
Aiyal Ngoh mhgeidak daai chin
tlat
ago
Ago
Ahganyiu — ngoh yauh.
younger sister
forgot, forget
carry, take or bring along
forgot to bring money
sentence suffix, indicating
taken by surprise
I forgot to bring my moneyl
Aiyal I forgot to bring ay
■oneyl
elder brother
Never mind — I have (some).
(He hands J3.00 to the driver)
jaaufaan
jaaufaan saam houh
dak laak
Jaaufaan saam houh dak laak.
slgei
mouhdak
Ngoh mouhdak jaau.
Sigei
saan ngaa
Neih yauh aouh saan ngan a?
Ago
Yauh, yauh.
give back change (give
change—return)
give back 30^ change
that will be all right
dive me 30j change, that'll
be OK.
driver, cab driver,
chauffeur
not have available
I don't have any change.
[don't have (money) avail-
able to give change]
small coins
Do you have any small coins?
Yes, I have.
241
LESSON 11 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Ahginjo
Til
Til Ahginjo ge?
A— hai douh.
nahl
Nah, nldouh chat houhjl.
(The two get out
Ago
yuhng
Neih yiu chin yuhng.
J«
-jyuh
jejyuh bei neih
Ngoh nldouh jejyuh bei neih
■In la,
Tiu geido a?
Salmui
Sahp man gau laak.
Ago
baak
baak nan
a
baak man ji
jeung
Jeung yat baak nan ji
dak
j»
Hgoh dak jeung yat baak man
ji ja.
cheunghoi
lose/loat (something),
'nowhere to be seen'
exclamation of distress
Eh? Disappeared?
Oh — they're here.
here I
Here, here's 70/f.
the taxi)
use
Tou'll need some money to use.
lend
temporarily, for a short
time
lend to you
I'll lend you some (of what I
have) here.
How much do you need?
Ten dollars will be enough.
hundred
hundred dollars
paper, here, paper money,
i.e. S bill
hundred dollar bill
measure for bank notes
a one-hundred-dollar bill
have only, only have
je" + a = ja
I only hare a hundred dollar
bill.
break (a large note for
ones of smaller de-
nomination)
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON n
Dang ngoh cbeunghdi bei neih
li.
I'll gat it changed and giro
you (the Money).
(They stop in at a bank to change the $100
bill* The elder brother addresses a teller:)
Ago
cheunghoi jeung yat baak man ji
tuhng ngoh
Abgoi neih tuhng ngoh cheunghoi
jeung yat baak man ji la.
Siuje
dak
Dak. Sahp jeung sahp man ji
hou mhhou a?
Ago
Hon aak.
split a hundred dollar bill
for ae, on ay behalf
Would you please change a
hundred dollar bill for me.
OK, sure
Sure. Are 10 ten's OK?
Fine.
B. Recapitulation !
Saimui
Aiyal Ngoh mhgeidak daai chin
tial
Rhganyiu — ngoh yauh.
(He hands $3.00 to
Jaaufaan saaa houh dak laak.
Slggi
Ngoh aouhdak jaau. Neih yauh
aouh eaan ngan a?
Ago
Yauh, yauh. Yil fchginjo ge?
A — hii douh. Nah, nldouh
chat hduhji.
(They get out of
Ago
Neih yiu chin yuhng. Ngoh nldouh
jejyuh bei neih sin la. Yiu
Aiyal I forgot to bring my
money!
Never mind— I have some,
the drirer)
Qire me 30/ change, that'll
be OK.
I don't hare any change. Do
you have any small coins?
Yes, I hare. Eh? Disappeared?
Oh, they're here. Here,
here's 70/.
the taxi)
You*ll need some money to use.
I'll lend you some. How much
2k}
LESSON 11 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
geido a?
Sahp man gau laak.
Saimui
Ago
Ngoh dak jeung yat baak man
jl ja. Dang ngoh oheunghdi
bei neih la.
(They stop in at a bank
bill. The elder brother
Ago
fthgoi neih tuhng ngoh oheunghoi
jeung yat baak nan ji la.
Slujo
Dak. Sahp jeung sahp man ji
hou ahhou a?
Ago
Hou aak.
do you need?
Ten dollars will be enough.
I only have a hundred dollar
bill. I'll get it changed
and give you (the money),
to change the $100
addresses a teller:)
Would you please change a
hundred dollar bill for me.
Sure. Are ten 10' s OK?
Fine.
. NOTES
1. sin, 'first,'
sin , 'first,' attaches to the end of a clause sentence, or a minor
sentence consisting of a timeword^ with the implication that something
else is to follow.
Ex: 1. Dang ngoh lo ji bat
sin la.
2. Ngoh nidouh jejyuh
bei neih sin la.
3. A: Dak meih a?
B: Meih — dangjahn sin
la.
1. Let rae get a pencil first —
(and then I can write
down the number.)
2. I'll lend you (some money)
first — (and then you can
get through the day.)
3. A: Ready yet?
B: Not yet — wait a minute
first— (then I'll be
ready. )
(See BC)
Students of Mandarin will recall that the Mandarin equivalent of sin ,
syan, occupies a different sentence position. In Mandarin syan comes be-
fore the verb, rather than coming at the end of the clause.
Ex: Deng wo syan na (yi) jr bi lai. Let me first get a pen.
2kk
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LKSS ON 11
2. Dak = OK, will do, all right
a. Forms:
aff: dak That's OK, that'll do, all right,
can do.
neg: mhdak That's not OK, that won't do,
can' t,
q: dak rahdak a? Will that be all right?
Ex: 1. Ngoh seung yihga 1. I'd like to eat now, OK?
sink faahn, dak
mhdak a?
2. Mhdak. Yiu dang yat- 2. Not OK. We have to wait awhile.
jahn sin.
3. Dak. Sihk faahn la. 3. Sure. Eatl
(See BC)
b. Dak joins with laak in the affirmative and meih in the negative
and question forms to form fixed phrases:
aff: dak laak. It's OK now (change from before)
It's ready.
neg: meih dak Not OK yet, it's not ready,
it's not right yet.
q: dak meih a? Is it ready yet? Is it OK yet?
Ex: 1. NgSh gihn cheuhng- Is my dress ready yet?
saam dak meih a?
2. Meih dak. Not OK yet.
3. Dak laak. Neih It's ready. Try it onl
sihah sin la.
3. Dak ♦ quantity phrase = have only, get only, obtain only:
dak in this sense has a quantity phrase as its object, with the
implication that the quantity is insufficient. It contrasts with
yauh, 'have,' which does not have the connotation of insufficiency.
1. Ngoh dak leuhng I have only two shirts.
gihn seutsaam.
2. Ngoh yauh leuhng I have two shirts.
gihn seutsaam.
(See BC and Drill 11 )
dak , as 'have insufficient amount,' is a defective verb — that
is, it does not have all three forms: affirmative, negative, and
question. It is not used in the negative form, and does not form the
choice question regularly:
2*+5
LESSON 11 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Forms:
aff: Dak_jeung yat baak Have only a $100 bill,
man jl.
neg: — — — —
q: Haih mhhaih dak Do you have only a $100 bill?
jeung yat baak
man jl a?
**. yauhdak + verb = 'have available to . .Y.,"have available for .Yring.'
dak used between the verb yauh (or its negative mouh ) and a
second verb, forms a verb phrase (VP) 'have (or not have) available
for .Yring.'
The basic meaning of dak in a yauhdak V is 'can.'
Ex: aff: yauhdak maaih have-can-sell, have for sale
neg: mouhdak maaih don't have-available for sale
q: yauh mouh dak maaih are there any available for
a? sale?
(See BC and Drills 7. 8 )
5. timl sentence suffix indicating that the speaker has been taken by
surprise.
txml adds the connotation that the situation expressed in the
sentence is different from what the speaker expected.
This timl perhaps is derived from tim , 'more,' 'in addition,'
which you encountered before in Lesson k, but differs both in im-
plication and in expressive intonation.
tim l expressing surprise is a stressed syllable in its sentence,
but tim , 'in addition' does not receive heavy sentence stress.
Further, tim, 'in addition' can be followed by another sentence
suffix, but timl, expressing surprise, cannot.
Ex: 1. Joi_dang ngoh gei 'Please wait for me a few
fanjung tim la . minutes more.'
2. fthgeidak timl I forgot itl (having just
realized it)
(See BC and Drill 3 )
2k6
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 11
6. -do and -siu phrases of indefinite amounts
a. -do 'large amount' and -siu 'small amount' combine with preceding
hou- and others to form phrases of indefinite amounts.
Ex: 1. houdo a lot, many, much
2. geido quite a lot
3. raouhgeido not very much
k. housiu very little, very few
5. seslu a little
6. siusiu just a little, just a few
b. These -do/-siu phrases can be used as modifier to a following
nominal construction or as head in a nominal construction.
Ex:
as modifier:
Ngoh yauh houdo chin,
as head:
Keuih dou yauh houdo.
I have a lot of money .
He has a lot too.
seslu and siusiu modify mass nouns only, directly preceding the
noun. As head structures they are used only in connection
with mass nouns.
Ex: 1. Bei seslu tohng ngoh
la.
2. Bei siusiu tohng
ngoh la.
3* Seslu hou la.
k. Siusiu hou la.
Please give me a little sugar.
Please give me just a tin; -
bit of sugar.
A little bit is fine.
(Someone asked how much sugar
you want in your coffee.)
Just a tiny bit is fine.
d. The following -do/ -siu phrases can modify individual and mass
nouns directly:
Ind/Mass Noun
-do/- siu
1. houdo
2. geido
3. mouhgeido
k. (QW) geido
5. housiu
~) seutaaam
V tohng
. . . . ?
(See Drills 11. 12 )
1. many shirts; much sugar
2. quite a few shirts; quite a
bit of sugar
3. not many shirts; not much
k. how many shirts?; how S m§cS
5. very few shirts; sugar?
very little sugar
Zk7
LESSON 11 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
e. The following can precede a Measure (+ Noun):
-do M N
houdS gihn seutsaam many[M] shirts
mouhgeido a * not many [hJ shirts
geido (& geido?) ■ » quite a few [m] shirts
7. cheung and cheunghoi 'to change money into smaller^en^m?iJa^Son' ts? ^
These both form VO phrases with a following money phrase.
^hating = change into (what you want) (followed by denomination wanted)
cheunghoi = change^ i.e., break (a big bill) (followed by denomination
held.)
2x: cheung sahp man ji = change into $10 bills
cheunghoi jeung sahp man jl = break a $10 bill
8. Sentence suffix ge
ge represents sentence suffix ge, 'that's the way it is'
plus rising intonation for uncertainty and doubt.
Ex: Yi-mhglnjS ge? Eh? (They're) lost?
(See BC)
2kb
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LL3S0N 11
DRILLS
1. Alteration Drill
Ex: 1. T: Nl go haih chaang T: This is an orange,
lain ge.
S: Nan — nidouh yauh S: Here — here's an orange,
go chaang.
1. Ni dl haih ngauhyuhk laih ge.
2. Nl ji haih heiseui laih ge.
3. Nl di haih tohng laih ge.
'f. Nl go haih pihnggwo laih ge.
5. Nl jeung haih sahp man ji
xaih ge.
+ 6. Nl go haih ngh houhji ngan
"laih ge. (ngan = coin
?. Nl go haih yat man ngan
laih ge.
1. Nan — nidouh yauh di ngauh-
yuhk.
2. Nan — nidouh yauh ji heiseui.
3. Nah — nidouh yauh di tohng.
k. Nan— -nidouh yauh go pihnggwo.
5. Nah — nidouh yauh jeung sahp
man ji.
6. Nah — nidouh yauh go ngh
houhji ngan.
7. Nah — nidouh yauh go yat man
ngan.
a. Repeat, in reverse, teacher cueing with yauh sentences,
students responding with haih sentences.
2. Substitution Drill
Ex: T: Bei ngh houhji^ T:
ngoh. /jaaufaan/
S: Jaaufaan ngh houhji S:
ngoh.
1. Bei sahp man ngoh. /je/
Give me ten dollars.
2. Bei ji bat ngoh. /lo/
3. Bei gihn seutsaam ngoh. /maaih/
Give me 50^. /give back change/
Give me back 50^ change.
^. Bei go dihnwa ngoh. /da/
Give me a phone call,
(also: Give rae a phone.)
+ 5. Bei jeung sahp man ji ngoh.
/ wuhn/
Give me a ten-dollar bill.
/Change (into) /
2^9
1. Je sahp man ngoh.
Lend me ten dollars.
2. Lo ji bat ngoh.
Bring me a pen(cil).
3. Maaih gihn seutsaam ngoh.
Buy me a shirt. (Buy a
shirt to give me.)
Da go dihnwa ngoh.
5. Wuhn jeung sahp man ji ngoh.
Change (this) into a ten-
dollar bill for me. (The
speakers is holding small
LESSON 11 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
change and bills that
he wants converted into a
larger bill.)
Comment: wuhn 'exchange,' 'change (into)' in reference to
money, is usually UBed when you have small denomina-
tions that you want to change for larger. When you
have a large bill you want to break into smaller
denominations you use the verb cheunghoi 'break
(a bill into smaller denominations) ' , *"change.'
(See BC). wuhn also means to exchange one currency
for another, as exchange HK money for US money.
a. Repeat the above drill as expansion drill thus:
T: Jaaufaan ngh houhji ngoh.
Give me back 50/ change.
S: fthgoi neih jaaufaan ngh houhji ngoh la.
Please give me back 50/ change.
3. Substitution Drill
Ex: T: Ahngaamjeuk bo. It doesn't fit, that's for sure.
S: Ahngaamjeuk tim! It doesn't fit, shucks!
(tim here carries the im-
plication that you are dis-
appointed. I like it, but
it doesn't fit - shucks.)
1. Maaihsaai bo. 1. Maaihsaai tim!
+ 2. fthhai douh bo. ((He's) not here.)2. fthhai douh tim! (douh=place)
3. Cheutjo gaai bo.
k. fthgau chin bo.
5. Teng mhdou bo.
I can't hear it.
6. Wan mhdou bo.
(I) can't find (it).
7. Damhdou bo.
I can't reach him by phone.
or
He can't be reached by phone,
(ambiguous as to whether
he has no phone or his phone
is busy.)
8. fthgeidak bo.
(I) forgot.
3. Cheutjo gaai tim!
k. Ahgau chin tim!
5. Teng mhdou tim!
6. Wan mhdou tim!
7. Damhdou tim!
8. fthgeidak tim!
250
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE lesson 11
a. Reverse roles, teacher cueing with sentences in right hand
column, students responding with those at the left.
k. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Yat baak man ji.
T: This is a SlOO bill.
S: fthgoi neih cheunghoi S: Please break this $100 bill
jeung yat baak for me.
man ji ngoh lal
1. /ngh houhji ngan/
2. /yat man ngan/
3. /sahp man ji/
k. /ngh man ji/
5. /ngh baak man ji/
6. /yat baak man ji/
1. fthgoi neih cheunghoi go
ngh houhji ngan ngoh lal
2. fthgoi neih cheunghoi go
yat man ngan ngoh lal
3. fthgoi neih cheunghoi_ jeung
sahp man ji ngoh lal
k. fthgoi neih cheunghoi jeung
ngh man ji ngoh lal
5. fthgoi neih cheunghoi^ jeung
ngh baak man ji ngoh lal
6. fthgoi neih cheunghoi jeung
yat baak man ji ngoh lal
a. Repeat, teacher writing visual cues (SlOO, 50^, etc.)
on the blackboard, students responding cheunghoi sentence.
T: Write: 1100
S: fthgoi neih cheunghoi jeung yat baak man ji ngoh lal
5. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Keuih yamsaai d£
heiseui.
I: He drank up all the soft
drinks.
S: Keuih yamsaai d£
heiseui. Gam,
ngoh mouhdak yam
tin.
1. Keuih yuhngsaai dx chin.
He used up all the money.
2. Keuih sihksaai d£ faahn.
S: He drank up all the soft
drinks. So I don't have
any [available to drink] ,
blast itl
1. Keuih yuhngsaai d£ chin.
Gam, ngoh mouhdak yuhng
tim.
2. Keuih sihksaai dl_ faahn.
Gam, ngoh mouhdak sihk tim.
251
LESSON 11 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
3. Keuih losaai dl chin. J>. Keuih losaai di chin.
Gam, ngoh mouhdak lo tin.
*+. Keuih yamaaai dl gafe. 4. Keuih yamaaai dl gafe.
Gam, ngoh mouhdak yam tim.
6. Expansion Drill
Ex: 1. T: Yinggwok yauh
Yahtbun bejau
maaih. /nod/
Meihgwok/
S: Meihgwok dou
yauhdak maaih.
2. T: Yinggwok yauh^
Yahtbun bejau
maaih. /shake/
Meihgwok/
a: Yinggwok yauh
yahtbun bejau
maaih , daahn-
haih Meihgwok
mouhdak maaih.
1. Ngoh yauh chin yuhng.
/nod/hgoh pahngyauh/
2. Keuih yauh chah yam.
/shake/ngoh/
3. Chaansat yauh chah yam.
/nod/chahlauh/
4. Keuih yauh yuhlau jeuk.
/shake/Leih Saang/
5. Heunggong yauh Jungmahn syu
maaih. /nod/Yahtbun/
In England there is Japanese
beer for sale. /nod/America/
In America also they have it
for sale. [America also have-
can-sell.]
England has Japanese beer for
sale. /shake/America/
England has Japanese beer for
sale but in America they
don't have it for sale.
[America not have-can-sell.]
1. Ngoh yauh chin yuhng, ngoh
pahngyauh dou yauhdak
yuhng.
2. Keuih yauh chah yam, daahn-
haih ngoh mouhdak yam.
3. Chaansat yauh chah yam,
chahlauh dou yauhdak yam.
k. Keuih yauh yuhlau jeuk,
daahnhaih Leih Saang mouh-
dak jeuk.
5. Heunggong yauh Jungmahn syu
maaih, Yahtbun dou yauh-
dak maaih.
252
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 11
7. Follow Drill
Ex: T: Ngoh seung hohk
Gwongdungwa.
S: Blndouh yauhdak
hohk a?
1.
Ngoh
seung hohk Gwokyuh.
2.
Ngoh
yiu da dihnwa.
3.
Ngoh
seung sihk faahn.
k.
Ngoh
seung yam gafe.
5.
Ngoh
seung maaih laangsaam.
/maaih/
6.
Ngoh
seung maaih chl. /maai!
T: I'm thinking of studying
Cantonese.
S: Where can one study (it)?
[Where have-can-study?]
1. Blndouh yauhdak hohk a?
2. Blndouh yauhdak da a?
3. Blndouh yauhdak sihk a?
k. Blndouh yauhdak yam a?
5. Blndouh yauhdak maaih a?
' 6. Blndouh yauhdak maaih a?
8. Alteration Drill
Ex: T: Go jung che, bin- T:
douh yauhdak
maaih a?
/Heunggong/
S: Go jung chi, Heung- S;
gong yauh mouhdak
maaih a?
1. Nl jung blu, blndouh yauhdak
maaih a? /Yahtbun/
2. Nl jung pihnggwo, blndouh
yauhdak maaih a? /Junggwok/
3. Nl jung gafe, blndouh yauhdak
yam a? /chaansat/
^. Nl jung beng, blndouh yauhdak
sihk a?/foahnwah Jaudim/
5. Nl jung bat, blndouh yauhdak
maaih a? /Heunggong/
That kind of car — where is it
available for sale?
/Hongkong/
That kind of car— is it for
sale in Hongkong? or
Can you buy that kind of car
in Hongkong?
1. Nl jung blu, Yahtbun yauh
mouhdak maaih a?
2. Nl jung pihnggwo, Junggwok
yauh mouhdak maaih a?
3. Nl jung gafe, chaansat
yauh mouhdak yam a?
k. Nl jung beng, Mahnwah Jaudim
yauh mouhdak sihk a?
5. Nl jung bat, Heunggong yauh
mouhdak maaih a?
253
LESSON 11
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
9. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Jaaufaan ngh houhji T:
bei ngSh la.
S: Jaaufaan ngh houhji S:
bei ngoh dak laak.
1. fthgoi neih wah keuih ji ngoh
mhfaanlaih sihk faahn la.
2. fthgoi neih giu keuih hai che
jaahm dang ngoh la.
3. Giu keuih hai jogan maaih la.
k. Daai yih baak man la.
5. Jejyuh baak lehng man bei
ngoh la.
6. Bei saanji ngoh la.
7. Lo bei keuih la.
8. Yuhng yuhnbat se la.
Give me back 50^
It'll be OK to give me back 50^.
(You can keep the rest)
[Give me back 50fl, then it
will be OK.]
1. fthgoi neih wah keuih ji ngoh
mhfaanlaih sihk faahn
dak laak. (i.e. you don't
need to do anything fur-
ther)
2. Giu keuih hai che jaahm
dang ngoh dak laak.
(i.e. doesn't need to come
all the way to the house)
3. Giu keuih hai jogan maaih
dak laak. (i.e. doesn't
have to go to town)
k. Daai yih baak man dak laak.
5. Jejyuh baak lehng man bei
ngoh dak laak.
6. Bei saanji ngoh dak laak.
7. Lo bei keuih dak laak.
8. Yuhng yuhnbat se dak laak.
10. Response Drill
Ex: 1. T: Neih gau mhgau chin maaih bejau a? /nod/
S: Gau. Ngoh ngaamngaam gau chin maaih.
2. T: Neih gau mhgau chin maaih haaih a? /shake/
S: Mhgau. Ngoh mhgau chin maaih.
1. Neih gau mhgau chin maaih
yuhnbat a? /nod/
2. Neih gau mhgau chin maaih
pxhnggwo a? /shake/
3. Neih gau mhgau chin maaih
ylnjai a? /nod/
k. Neih gau mhgau chin maaih
chaang a? /nod/
1. Gau. Ngoh ngaamngaam gau
chin maaih.
2. fthgau. Ngoh mhgau chin
maaih .
3« Gau. Ngoh ngaamngaam gau
chin maaih.
k. Gau. Ngoh ngaamngaam gau
chin maaih.
23k
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON n
5. Neih gau mhgau chin maaih 5. fthgau. Ngoh mhgau chin maaih.
seutsaam a? /shake/
6. Neih gau mhgau chin maaih 6. fthgau. Ngoh mhgau chin maaih.
haaih a? /shake/
11. Expansion & Substitution Drill
+ Ex: 1. T: Ngoh dak housiu T:
+ chin, /houdo/
( very little )
S: Ngoh dak housiu S:
chin , daahnhaih
keuih yauh
houdo.
2. T: Keuih yauh houdo T:
chin, /housiu
W
S: Keuih yauh houdo S:
chin, daahnhaih
ngoh dak housiu
ja.
1. Keuih yauh houdo chin.
+ /mouhgeido ja/
/not much/
2. Ngoh mouhgeido chin.
/geido ga/
/quite a lot/
3. Keuih yauh geido chin.
/sesiu ja/
^. Ngoh yauh sesiu chin,
/houdo ga/
/much, a lot/
I have a little money.
5. Keuih yauh houdo chin.
/housiu ja/
6. Ngoh yauh housiu chin,
/geido/
I have very little money.
/a lot/
I have very little money, but
he has a lot.
He has a lot money, /very
little/
He has a lot of money, but I
have very little.
1. Keuih yauh houdo chin,
daahnhaih ngoh mouhgeido
ja-
He has a lot of money,
but I don' t have much.
2. Ngoh mouhgeido^ chin^ daahn-
haih keuih yauh geido ga.
I don't have much money,
but he has quite a lot.
3. Keuih yauh geido chin, daahn-
haih ngoh dak sesiu ja.
k. Ngoh yauh sesiu chin, daahn-
haih keuih yauh houdo ga.
I have a little money,
but he has a lot.
5. Keuih yauh houdo chin, daahn-
haih ngoh dak housiu ja.
6. Ngoh yauh housiu chin, daahn-
haih keuih yauh geido ga.
255
LESSON 11
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
7. Keuih yauh geido chin.
/sesiu ja/
/just a little/
8. Ngoh yauh seslu chin.
/houdo ga/
9. Keuih yauh geido pahngyauh.
/mouhgeido ja/
/not many/
7. Keuih yauh geido chin, daahn-
haih ngoh dak sesiu ja.
8. Ngoh yauh sesiu chin, daahn-
haih keuih yauh houdo ga.
9. Keuih yauh geido pahngyauh,
daahnhaih ngoh dak mouh-
geido ja.
He has quite a few friends,
but I have not many.
10. Ngoh mouhgeido pahngyauh,
daahnhaih keuih yauh houdo.
11. Keuih yauh houdo pahngyauh,
daahnhaih ngoh dak housiu
Ja.
Comment: l) ja (pronounced [ja] is a fusion of j£ and a, and
implies 'not much,' 'merely.'
2) ga is a fusion of final ge, indicating matter-of-
fact statement, and final a, the sentence softener.
Here ga is pronounced [g*].
10. Ngoh mouhgeido pahngyauh.
/houdo/
/many, a lot/
11. Keuih yauh houdo pahngyauh.
/housiu ja/
/just a few/
12. Substitution Drill
Ex: T: Keuih sihk houdo
ngauhyuhk ga.
/geido ga/
S: Keuih sihk geido
ngauhyuhk ga.
T: He eats a lot of beef,
/quite a lot/
S: He eats quite a lot of beef.
1.
Keuih sihk geido ngauhyuhk
ga. /faahn/
1.
Keuih
sihk geido faahn ga.
2.
Keuih sihk geido faahn.
/jyuyuhk ga/
2.
Keuih
sihk geido jyuyuhk.
3.
Keuih sihk geido jyuyuhk ga.
/yam chah/
3.
Keuih
yam geido chah.
k.
Keuih yam geido chah.
/housiu ge ja/
^.
Keuih
yam housiu chah ge ja.
5.
Keuih yam housiu chah ge ja.
/be jau/
5.
Keuih
yam housiu bejau.
6.
Keuih yam housiu bejau.
/ngauhnaaih/
6.
Keuih
yam housiu ngauhnaaih.
7.
Keuih yam housiu ngauhnaaih
ge ja. /sihk faahn/
7.
Keuih
ja.
sihk housiu faahn ge
256
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 11
8. Keuih sihk housiu faahn ge ja. 8. Keuih sihk mouhgeido faahn.
/mouhgeido/
9. Keuih sihk mouhgeido faahn 9. Keuih lo mouhgeido chin ge
ge ja. /lo chin/ ja.
13. Substitution Drill:
Ex: T: Yi, ngoh jl^bat
mhginjo ge.
/yuhnbat/
1. Yi, ngoh go blu mhginjo ge.
/saam/
2. /daifu/
3. /kwahn/
*». /je/
♦ 5. /fu ngahngeng/
(M. + eyeglasses )
+6. /go ngahngengdoi/
( eyeglass case )
+7. /go saudoi/
((woman's) handbag )
8. /gihn daisaam/
S: Yi, ngoh jl yuhnbat mhginjo ge.
1. Yi.^ngoh gihn saam mhginjo
ge.
2. Yi, ngoh txuh daifu mhginjo
ge.
3. Yi, ngoh tiuh kwahn mhginjo
ge.
Yi, ngoh ba je mhginjo ge.
5. Yi, ngoh fu ngahngeng mhgin-
jo ge.
6. Yi, ngoh go ngahngengdoi
mhginjo ge.
7. Yi, ngoh go saudoi mhginjo
ge.
8. Yi, ngoh gihn daisaam
mhginjo ge.
I 1 !. Money Drill: For class practice: teacher writes on the blackboard.
Ex: T: 2
S: Bei leuhng go ngh
houhji ngan ngoh
lSi
1. 10
» 10
2. 1
$ 10 "
3. 1
« 100
^. 5
$ 10
T: 2 50^ coins
S: Please give me 2 50^ [5 dime]
coins.
1. Bei sahp_jeung sahp man ji
ngoh la I
2. Bei jeung sahp man ji ngoh
lSl
3. Bei jeung yat baak man ji
ngoh la I
Bei ngh jeung sahp man ji
ngoh la J
257
LESSON 11 CANTONE SE BASIC CPU RSE
5.
6.
7.
2
5
3
S 500
8. 10
9. 2
eg)
tl2£]
Loil
5. Bei leuhng jeung ngh baak
man ji ngoh lal
6. Bei ngh go ngh houhji ngan
ngoh lal
7. Bei saam go yat houhji ngan
ngoh lal
8. Bei sahp go yat man ngan
ngoh lal
9. Bei leuhng go ngh houhji
ngan ngoh lal
10. 10 (J-O^J 10 • B ® i f an P 8° y»t houhji ngan
^— ' ngoh lal
Comment: ji 'bill', and ngan 'coin', can be omitted from the
sentences above without changing meaning or emphasis.
15. Money Exchange Drill: For class practice. Teacher writes on
blackboard, or holds up actual or pretend money.
1.
Ex: T: 10
$ 10
SI: Nldouh yauh sahp
jeung sahp man
(ji).
S2: fthgoi neih wuhn
jeung yat baak
man (ji) ngoh lal
2. 10
122}
ft 522
($122)
$ 10 |
3. 5 1 » 100 | -» 1 | ft 500 1
$ 522
$ 10
ft 100
SI: Here's ten $10 bills.
S2: Please change into a $100
bill for me. [give me.]
1. A. Nldouh yauh ngh go yat
man (ngan).
fthgoi neih wuhn jeung
ngh man (ji) ngoh lal
2. A. Nldouh yauh sahp go yat
man (ngan).
fthgoi neih wuhn jeung
sahp man (ji) ngoh lal
3. A. Nldouh yauh ngh jeung yat
baak man (ji).
fthgoi neih_wuhn jeung
ngh baak man (ji) ngoh
lal
k. A. Nldouh yauh leuhng jeung
ngh man (ji).
fthgoi neih wuhn jeung
sahp man (ji) ngoh lal
258
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON n
5. 10
6.
1 Kl^) 5. A . Nldouh yauh sahp go yat
V / houhji (ngan).
fthgoi neih wuhn go yat
©man (ngan) ngoh la I
6. A. Nldouh yauh leuhng go ngh
houhji (ngan).
fthgoi neih wuhn go yat
man (ngan) ngoh la I
16. Money Change Drill: Teacher draws on board, or holds up real or
pretend money.
Ex: T: 1 $ 10 10 $ 122
SI: Nldouh yauh jeung SI: Here's a $10 bill,
sahp man (ji).
+ S2: fthgoi neih cheung S2: Please change (this) for me
sahp go yat man
(n^an) (bei)
ngoh lal
into 10 on-dollar coins.
1.
2.
3.
% 500 |
8 100 ] -»io
-oo
>10
k. 1 I 8 10 I 10
8 100
S 10
50*
n oo\
1. A. Nldouh yauh jjeung ngh
baak man ji.
B. fthgoi neih cheung ngh
jeung yat baak man ji
ngoh lal
2. A. Nldouh yauh jeung yat
baak man ji.
B. fthgoi neih cheung sahp
jeung sahp man ji ngoh
lal
3. A. Nldouh yauh jeung ngh
ouh ya
an ji.
man
B. fthgoi neih cheung sahp
go ngh houhji ngan
ngoh lal
1 t. A. Nldouh yauh jeung sahp
man ji.
B. fthgoi neih cheung sahp
go yat man ngan ngoh
lal
Comment: cheung 'change money into smaller denomination'
(followed by denomination desired)
259
LESSOS 11 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
17. Number Drill I: Classroom practice.
A. Teacher writes examples on board, calls them out, students
listen.
Example:
1. 10 1. sahp
2. 100 2. yat baak
+ 3. 1000 3. yat chin ( chin = thousand )
20 k. yihsahp
5. 200 5. yih baak
6. 2000 6. yih chin
B. Teacher says number in Cantonese, students write it down.
Teacher then writes figure on board. At end of section,
teacher points to numbers on board at random, students say
them.
1.
1+0
6.
700
11.
900
2.
80
7.
6000
12.
3000
3.
800
8.
500
13.
600
<+.
9000
9.
1+000
14.
5000
5.
300
10.
30
15.
100
(answers)
1.
seisahp
6.
chat baak
11.
gau baak
2.
baatsahp
7.
luhk chin
12.
saam chin
3.
baat baak
8.
ngh baak
13.
luhk baak
<+.
gau chin
9.
sei chin
Ik.
ngh chin
5.
saam baak
10.
saamsahp
15.
yat baak
18. Number Drill II: Numbers with final zeroes.
A: Teacher writes example numbers on board, calls them out.
Students listen.
Example :
1. 11 = sahpyat
2. 110 = baak yat or yat baak yatsahp
3. 1100 = chin yat or yat chin yat baak
h. 21 = yihsahpyat or yahyat
5. 210 - yih baak yat or yih baak yat sahp
260
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 11
6. 2100 = yih chin yat or yih chin yat baak
Comment: In numbers with a final zero (or zeroes), the Cantonese
favor not calling the measure of the last number,
It is of course predictable from the Measure pre-
ceding.
B. Teacher says number, students write it down (without looking
at book). Teacher then writes figure on board. At end of
section, teacher points to numbers on board at random,
students say the numbers.
1.
3^0
9.
880
17.
38
2.
680
10.
1+80
18.
280
3.
7500
11.
170
19.
85
k.
9900
12.
990
20.
1^0
5.
kkO
13.
52
21.
Ik
6.
78
Ik.
5^0
22.
l'tOO
7.
190
15.
180
23.
5900
8.
830
16.
710
2k.
460
19. Number Drill III: Numbers with internal zeroes.
A. Teacher writes the numberB on the board and calls them out,
pointing to them as he does so. Students listen.
Example:
1.
1
yat
2.
101
yat
baak lihng yat
3.
1,001
yat
chin lihng yat
k.
1,010
yat
chin lihng yatsahp
5.
k
sei
6.
kok
sei
baak lihng sei
7.
k, 00k
sei
chin lihng sei
8.
k,oko
sei
chin lihng seisahp
Comment: In saying a number, Cantonese marks the presence of
an internal zero (or zeroes) by lihng .
B. Teacher says number, students write it down; teacher then
writes figure on blackboard. At end of section, teacher
points to numbers on board at random, students say them.
1. 1018 3. 1101 5. 8008
2. 1029 k. 808 6. 8080
261
LESSON 11 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
7. 209
8. 2029
9. 2008
10. 2202
11. 508
12. 5008
13. 6708
Ik. 9009
15. 307
16. 708
17. 3303
18. 5804
19. 701
20. 7^06
21. 805
22. 908
IV. CONVERSATIONS FOR LISTENING
(On tape. Refer to the wordlist below as you listen to the tape.)
Unfamiliar terras, in order of occurrence:
1) oi = here: to have in your possession
2) garayaht = today
3) yatjan = dangyatjahn = ' in a little while'
V. SAY IT IN CANTONESE
A. You say to the person sitting
next to you:
1. I forgot to bring money!
2. Do you have enough money to
buy beer?
3. I don't have enough money to
buy a dozen bottles.
h. What the...? I can't find my
glasses.
5. Please break this $10 bill
for me.
6. How much is US$10 in Hong
Kong dollars?
7. How much is HK9100.00 in
American money?
8. Does Hong Kong have that
kind of car for sale?
9. You can't buy English beer
in Japan — can you buy
Japanese beer in England?
262
B. And he responds:
1. I'll lend you some — how
much do you need?
2. I have just enough to buy
six bottles, but I'd like
to buy a dozen.
3. You want some money, huh? —
I'll lend you $20, OK?
They're here by me.
5. OK. One five and five ones,
is that all right?
6. About $60.00.
7. About $16.60.
8. Sure, you can buy them in
H.K. (Hongkong-available-
sell)
9. I don't know, probably so.
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 11
10. I have very few sweaters, 10. Not sol You have quite a
but my younger sister has lot tool
a lot.
11. Keep the change 1 (Don't need 11. Thanks.
to give back.)
Vocabulary Checklist for Lesson 11
1.
ago
n:
elder brother
2.
baak
nu:
hundred
3.
cheung
V
change money into smaller denomination
^.
cheunghoi
v:
split, break up large banknote or coin to
for ones of lesser denomination.
5.
chin
nu:
thousand
o.
daai
V
carry
7.
daai. . .heui
V
take. . .along
Q
0.
daai. . . lain
v:
bring. . .along
9.
dak
V
all right, OK, will do
10.
-dak-
Dl
in yauhdak .Y. = available, can
11.
dak. . .
V
only have ...
12.
fu
m
M. for eyeglasses
13.
geido
Ph
quite a lot
Ik.
hai douh
Ph
(he, she, it, etc.) is here; is at (this)
15.
houdo
Ph
a lot
16.
housiu
Ph
very little
17.
jaau
V
give change
18.
jaaufaan
V
give back change
19.
je
v
lend, borrow
20.
je jyuh
V
lend or borrow temporarily
21.
jeung
n
: M. for banknotes
22.
ii
n
: banknote; paper
23.
-jyuh
Vsuf
temporarily, for a short time
2h.
mhgeidak
VP
: forget (not remember)
25.
mhgin jo
VP
lose, lost; 'nowhere to be seen'
26.
mouhdak .Y.
VP
: not have available for .Yting
27.
mouhgeido
Ph
: not much, not many
263
LESSON 11
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
28. Hah!
ex:
Herei
29. ngahngeng
n:
eyeglasses
30. ngahngengdoi
n:
eyeglasses case
31, ngan
n:
coin
32. saanngan
n:
small coins
33. saimui
n:
younger sister
3^. saudoi
n:
(woman's) handbag
35. slgei
n:
taxi driver
36. tim
es:
sen. suf . indicating speaker has been taken by
37. tuhng
38. wuhn
39. yauhdak
40. Yil
41. yuhng
coV:
v:
VP:
ex:
v:
surprise,
on behalf of, for
in ref. to money, change small denomination for
larger one (followed by denomination desired);
exchange one currency for another.
have available to .Y., have available for .Yling.
exclamation of distress • 'Oh-oh! 1
use; spend (money)
264
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON 12
I. BASIC CONVERSATION
A. Buildup :
(Two friends met at
China Taal
haul
heal blndouh a?
A, Wohng Taal, heui blndouh a?
Wohng Taal
Ngoh heul ngahnbohag lo chin.
Neih ne?
Chahn Taal
hohkhaauh
Ngoh heul hohkhaauh.
Wohng Taal
Heul godouh yiuh aeyeh aih a?
Chahn Taal
neul
ngoh go neul
JiP
heul Jip ngoh go neul
Ngoh heui Jip ngoh go neui.
Keuih yihga hai hohkhaauh dang
ngoh.
mahaa
ngoh aihaa
taaa
team ngoh aahma
daai keuih
Ngoh daai keuih heui taaa
ngoh aahma.
Wohng Taai
Jyuh
Neih aahma nil blndouh jyuh a?
265
the bus stop)
go
where are you going?
Ah, Hrs. Wong, where are you
going?
I'a going to the bank to get
some money. And you?
school
I'm going to school.
What Is it you're going there
to do?
daughter
ay daughter
meet, fetch, pick up (a
person)
go to get ay daughter
I'a going to get ay daughter.
She's at school now waiting
for me.
mother
my mother
Tisit
▼isit my mother
take/bring him along
I'm taking her to Tisit ay
mother.
lire
Where does your mother lire?
LESSON 12
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Chahn Taai
Gauluhng
Keuih hai Gauluhng jyuh.
(Mrs. Wong looks down the street
Wohng Tjjaj
lain
ga che
A, yauh ga che lain laak. Haih
mhhaih baat houh a?
tai ihchingcho
Ngoh tai ihchingcho.
Chahn Taai
fthhaih baat houh, haih saam
houh.
hauhbihn
Hauhbihn yauh ga baat houh.
Wohng Taai
mouh cho
A, mouh cho—
saam houh hauhbihn
ganjyuh
Saam houh hauhbihn ganjyuh
yauh ga baat hauh.
B. Recapitulation :
Chahn Taai
A, Wohng Taai, heui blndouh a?
Wohng Taai
Ngoh heui ngahnhohng lo chin.
Nelh ne?
Chahn Taai
Ngoh heui hohkhaauh.
Kowloon
She lives in Kowloon.
and sees a bus coming)
come
a car
Oh, there's a bus [car] coming.
Is it a Number 8?
not see clearly
I can* t see clearly.
It's not a Number 8, it's a
Number 3.
in back, behind
There's a Number 8 behind it.
right! correctl [not have
mistake]
Ah, that's right-
behind the Number 3
follow
Behind the Number 3, following
there is a Number 8.
Ah, Mrs. Wong, where are you
going?
I'm going to the bank to get
some money. And you?
I'm going to school.
266
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 12
Wohng Taai
Heui godouh yauh meySh sib a?
Chjhn Taai
Ngoh heui jip ngoh go neui.
Keuih yihga hai hohkhaauh
dang ngoh. Ngoh daai keuih
heui taam ngoh mahma.
Wohng Taai
Neih mahma hai blndouh jyuh a?
Chahn Taai
Keuih hai Gauluhng jyuh.
Wohng Taai
A , yauh ga che laih laak. Haih
mhhaih baat houh a? Ngoh tai
ahehingcho.
Chahn Taai
fthhaih baat houh, haih saam
houh. Hauhbihn yauh ga baat
houh.
Wohng Taai
A, aouh cho —
Saam houh hauhbihn ganjyuh yauh
ga baat houh.
What ia it you're going there
for?
I'm going to get my daughter.
She's at school now waiting
for me. I'm taking her to
▼isit my mother.
Where does your mother lire?
She lives in Kowloon.
Oh, there's a bus coming. Is
it a Number 8? I can't see
clearly.
It's not a Number 8, it's a
Number 3. There's a Number
8 behind it.
At, that's right-
Behind the Number 3,
following there's a Number 8.
II. NOTES
A. Culture Notes
1. Greetings .
In Lesson k we touched on the matter of differences in the
way Americans and Cantonese greet each other. One very common
form of greeting between Cantonese who run into each other on the
street is Heui blndouh a ? or Heui bin a ? "//here are you going?'
This isn't being no6ey, it's just a greeting form, just as in
English 'How are you?' is a greeting form and doesn't call for a
26?
LESSON 12 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
detailed description of your health. To answer Heui blndouh a ?,
you say where you're going, or, if you don't want to tell, simply
say Cheut gaai or Heui gaai 'I'm going out' (said a s you emerge
from your house) or Cheutlaih haahnghah 'I've come out for a walk'
(if you're already out).
Other greetings are Faan sung a ? (Going to work?' Cheut gaai a ?
'You're out?' Faan hohk a ? 'Going to school?' You can respond to
all of these by nodding you head, saying an A of assent, and
greeting the person by name: A, Hoh Taail
Around noontime or dinnertime if two acquaintances meet, a
common greeting form is Sihk faahn meih a ? 'Have you eaten yet?'
Responses are: Meih a, neih ne ? 'Not yet, and you?' and Sihk. jo
laak , 'I've eaten.'
2. Counting system of numbering the floors of a building .
The Chinese system of numbering floors of a building is the
same as the American system, but different from the British system.
The floor above the ground floor is called yih lau [two-storey]
in Cantonese, 'the second floor' in American English, and 'the
first floor' in British Snglish.
The British system of numbering floors is used in Hong Kong
when one speaks English. This, of course, means referring to the
floor above the ground floor as the first floor, the floor two
storeys up as the second floor, and so on.
Ex: Ngoh jyuh hai saam I live on the second floor,
lau. (British counting system)
I live on the third floor.
(American counting system)
(S ee Drill 2.8 )
B. Structure Notes
1. Sentence type: Subordinate clause-primary clause sentence.
In Cantonese sentences, subordinate clauses precede the
primary clause.
Ex: Keuih faanlaih, rahgoi When she comes back, please +311
neih giu keuih da her to phone Mrs. Cheung,
dihnwa bei Jeung
Taai la.
268
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LSSSON 12
The order is fixed. This contrasts with the situation in
the English counterpart, in which subordinate-primary clauses are
reversible:
Ex:
Subordinate
Primary
When she comes home
or Primary
please tell her to call Mrs.
Cheung.
Subordinate
Please tell her to call Mrs. Cheung
when she comes
home.
2. Sentence type: Multi-verb sentence.
The term multi-verb sentence refers to single-clause sentences
containing a series of verb phrases. Whereas English typically
expands a single clause sentence by retaining one principle verb
and adding on such adjuncts as prepositional phrases (with me),
participles (waiting for me), infinitive phrases (to fetch his
girlfriend), adverbial nouns of place (home), Chinese typically
expands a simple sentence into a series of verbal expressions,
so that an expanded single clause sentence in Chinese has the
shape: S + V(0) + V(0) (+ V(0)).
Ex: 1. Keuih hai hohkhaauh
dang ngoh.
2. Keuih je chin bei
ngoh.
3. Mhgoi neih gan ngoh
He's at school waiting for
me [at-school+await-me]
He lent me money.
[lend-money+give-me]
laih.
Keuih heui ngahn-
hohng lo chin.
5. Keuih sung ngoh faan
ngukkei.
6. Keuih seung maaih
gihn seutsaam.
7. Keuih heui tai hei.
8. Keuih heui Gauluhng
jip neuihpahngyauh.
9. Keuih jip keuih go
jai heui Gauluhng
tai hei.
269
Please come with me. Please
follow me. [follow-me+
come]
He's going to the bank to
get some money. [go-bank+
get-money]
He took me home. [deliver-me+
return-home]
He wants to buy a 6hirt.
[wish+buy-shirt]
He went to see a movie. [go+
see-movie]
He's going to Kowloon to fetch
his girlfriend.
He's fetching his son to take
him to Kowloon to see a movie,
[f etch-son+go-Kowloon+see-
movie]
lesson 12 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
3. Auxiliary verbs.
Auxiliary verbs cannot serve as the only verb in a sentence,
but require another verb as their object. The negative and
question forms attach to the auxiliary verb.
Ex: seung = be of a mind to..., want to..., think (I'll)...
aff: Ngoh seung sihk I think I'll eat dinner,
faahn.
neg: Ngoh mhseung sihk I don't think I'll eat.
faahn.
q: Seung mhseung sihk Do you want to have dinner?
faahn a?
k. Co-verbs.
There is a category of verb in Cantonese which cannot serve
as the only verb in a sentence, and which takes a noun as its
object. This category is given the name co-verb (companion verb).
A co-verb phrase precedes the verb it is companion to. Co-verbs
ordinarily translate into English as prepositions, and the co-verb
and its object as a prepositional phrase; but in Cantonese co-verbs
are verbs, since they can occur in the three basic verb forms:
affirmative, negative, and choice question.
Ex: Co-V + Noun ob.ject + Verb
aff: Gan sinsaang gong. Repeat after the teacher.
[Follow-teacher speak.]
neg: fthgan sinsaang gong. Don't repeat after the
teacher.
q: Gan mhgan Binsaang gong (Should we) repeat
a? after the teacher?
(See Drills 11. 12 )
5. Verb sequence: Aux V + Co-V + V
Auxiliary verb precedes Co-Verb phrase in a sentence in which
both occur:
Ex: Ngoh seung gan keuih I think I'll follow him.
heui.
6. tuhng 'with' (Co-V) compared with tuhng 'and* (Cj)
tuhng 'with' and tuhng 'and' both stand between two nouns
(N tuhng N) , but since otherwise they pattern differently in a
sentence, they are classed as different parts of speech.
2?0
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 12
tuhng 'with' may take negative and question forms as well as
the affirmative, and may be preceded by an auxiliary verb. It is
therefore a verb. But as it cannot stand as the only verb in a
sentence, and requires another verb following its noun object, it
is classed as a Co-Verb.
Ex: Ngoh mhseung tuhng
Leih Taai heui.
I don't want to go with Mrs.
Lee.
tuhng , 'and' does not take the negative and question forms,
therefore it cannot be called a verb. It cannot be preceded by an
auxiliary verb. It joins two nouns which then act as a compound
unit in subject or object position, tuhng. 'and' is classed as a
conjunction.
Ex: Leih Taai tuhng ngoh
heui. Man Saang
tuhng Mah Taai
mhheui.
Lauh Saang tuhng Lauh
Taaitaai mhseung
heui.
Mrs. Lee and I are going.
Mr. and Mrs. Ma aren't going.
Mr. and Mrs. Lau don't wish
to go.
I don' t know Miss Lau and her
mother.
Ngoh mhsik Lauh Siuje
tuhng keuih mahma.
(See Drills 12.5 and 6 )
7. ganjyuh , gan . 'to follow'
These two are alike in meaning, but different in use. ganjyuh
is a full verb, can serve as the only verb in a sentence, gan is
a co-verb, cannot serve as the only verb in a sentence. It is
limited to multi-verb sentences in which it precedes another verb.
phrase.
Ex: Mhgoi neih gan ngoh lain. Please follow me.
Mhgoi neih ganjyuh ngoh
laih.
Ganjyuh gS ga chi;
(-) Gan go ga chei
Gan (jyuh) go ga che
heui:
Please follow me.
Follow that carl
(doesn't occur)
Follow that carl
271
LESSON 12 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
In the Basic Conversation of this lesson ganjyuh is used as
the subject of a clause, the clause itself being predicate in the
larger topic: comment sentence:
Subject (topic) Predicate (Comment)
Subject Predicate
Saam houh hauhbihn ganjyuh yauh ga baat houh.
[Three-number behind following there is [M] eight-number]
•Behind the Number 3 there's a Number 8 following.'
(See Drills 6, 7 )
8. sung 'deliver (someone or something),' "take (someone/something) to
destination and leave him/it there.'
sung , 'deliver,' can be the only verb in a sentence, or it can
be the verb of a VO expression which is followed by heui or some
other verb indicating movement.
Ex: Ngoh sung neih. I'll see you to your desti-
nation.
Ngoh sung dl jaineui I took the children to visit
heui taam pahngyauh. friends.
Gaan gungsl sung dl The department store delivered
yeh laih. the goods (to speaker's
place) .
(See Drill 10 )
9. daai, 'to bring, take along'
daai , 'bring/take someone/something along* can serve as the
only verb in the sentence, usually with an impersonal object:
Ex: Keuih daai chin. He's brought money along.
daai can also serve as the verb of a VO expression which is
followed by heui or some other verb indicating movement.
Ex: Ngoh daai ngoh go I'm taking my daughter to
neui heui tai see the doctor,
ylsang.
(See BC)
10. jip = 'fetch (someone),' 'meet (someone) and take him someplace else.'
Ex: Ngoh heui Gauluhng I'm going to Kowloon to get
jip ngoh go neui. my daughter.
Ngoh jip ngoh go neui I'm meeting my daughter to
heui Gauluhng. take her to Kowloon.
(See BC)
2?2
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE lesson 12
Ordinarily, the grammatical object of jip is a personal noun
( jip yahn = go fetch someone) , but the grammatical object can be
a vehicle ( .jip che = meet the bus [car] and fetch someone away).
In such a case the vehicle is the grammatical object but a person
is the underlying object.
11. hai phrase in a multi-verb clause.
With most verbs a hai phrase precedes the other verb phrase,
but with verbs of thrust (put, place) it follows the other verb
phrase, and with verbs of station (live, sit, stand) it can precede
or follow the other verb phrase. In all cases hai has a placeword
object.
Ex: (before other V) Keuih hai chaan- He's eating (or he
sat sink faahn. ate) at the re-
staurant.
(after other V) Jai dl chah hai Put the tea here,
nldouh.
(before or after)Keuih hai Geu- He lives (or lived)
luhng jyuh. in Kowloon.
Keuih jyuh hai
Gauluhng.
(See Drill k )
12. Possessive modification with family names: ngoh man ma. 'my mother'
and others.
Some family names function irregularly with respect to posses-
sive modification, not using either the general possessive ge or
the individual measures go and dl between modifier and head noun.
In such cases the modifier precedes the noun directly. With other
family names either ge or go/dl is required in modification
structure; with still other family names filling the ge/go
position is optional.
(Examples are on following page)
273
LESSOH 12
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Ex:
modifier
go/dl/ge
or/—/
INoun
ngoh
\ "
mahma
mother
neih
bahba
my
father
slnsaang
your
Leih Taai
Mrs. Lee
•s
husband
Leih Saang
/ "
taai taai
Mr. Lee"
s
k wife
/ /go/dl/ge/
jai
sonVs)
k go/dl/ge/
neui
daughter (s)
>
(
dl/ge/
jaineui
children
go/dl/ge
mui
younger sister
/-/go/dl/ge
saimui
younger sister
/-/go/dl/ge
gaje
elder sister
/-/go/dl/ge/ sailou
younger brothel
/-/go/dl/ge/ ago
elder brother
Eng. equivalents
(See Drill 3 )
13. Chinese response to questions negatively phrased.
(You're not going, are you? type):
Negatively phrased questions in Cantonese are tricky from the
English speaking student's point of view, because where the English
answer would be 'No,' the Cantonese answers seem to be 'yes,' and
where the English answer is 'yes,' the Cantonese answer sounds
like 'no.'
Ex: 1. A. Neih ukkei mouh
dihnwa ah.
B. Haih a. Mouh
dihnwa.
2. A. Keuih mhfaanlaih
sihk aan ah.
B. Mouh cho. Mhfaan-
laih.
3. A. Neih ukkei mouh
dihnwa ah.
B. Rhhaih.^Yauh
dihnwa.
Your house doesn't have a
phone, does it.
That's right. There's no
phone.
(Idiomatic English answer:
No, it doesn't.)
He's not coming home for
lunch, is he.
That's right. He's not coming
home.
(Idiomatic English answer:
No, he's not.)
You don't have a phone at
your house, do you.
Not sol We do have one.
(Idiomatic English: Yes,
we do.)
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Lass ON 12
k. A. Keuih nihfaanlaih He's not coming home for lunch,
sihk aan ah. is he.
B. fthhaih. Keuih Not so. He is.
faanlaih. (Idiomatic English: Yes,
he is.)
(See Drill Ik )
275
LESSON 12 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
III. DRILLS
1. Question & Answer Drill
Ex: T: Heunggong.
A: Neih hai blndouh jyuh a?
B: Ngoh hai Heunggong jyuh.
1. Gauluhng.
2. Meihgwok.
3. Jungwaahn.
k. Hohkhaauh.
5. Heunggong.
1. A. Neih hai blndouh jyuh a?
B. Ngoh hai Gauluhng jyuh.
2. A. Neih hai blndouh jyuh a?
B. Ngoh hai Meihgwok jyuh.
3. A. Neih hai blndouh jyuh a?
B. Ngoh hai Jungwaahn jyuh.
k. A. Neih hai blndouh jyuh a?
B. Ngoh hai hohkhaauh jyuh.
5. A. Neih hai blndouh jyuh a?
B. Ngoh hai Heunggong jyuh.
2. Expansion Drill: Repeat after the teacher.
1.
a.
.1ai 1.
a.
son
b.
ngoh go jai
b.
my son
c.
Ngoh go jai heui
c.
My son is going
d.
Ngoh go jai heui Gauluhng.
d.
My son is going to
Kowloon.
e.
Ngoh go jai yihga heui
Gauluhng.
e.
My son is going to
Kowloon now.
2.
a.
jaineui 2.
a.
children (of a family),
sons and daughters
(of a family)
b.
dl jaineui
b.
the children
c.
daai dl jaineui
c.
bring/take the children
d.
daai dl jaineui heui
d.
take the children.
e.
daai dl jaineui heui Wohng
Taai douh.
e.
take the children to Mrs.
Wong's.
+
f.
Ngoh slnsaang daai dl jaineui
heui Wohng Taai douh.
f.
My husband is taking the
children to Mrs. Wong's
Note the new meaning for
sinsaang : 'husband.'
276
(Though sinsaang may
also mean 'teacher'
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LiiSSON 12
+ 3. a. jouh 3. a.
b. jouh meyeh b.
c. heui Gauluhng jouh meyeh a? c.
d. Keuih heui Gauluhng jouh d.
meyeh a?
e. Keuih heui Gauluhng taam e.
pahngyauh .
+ k. a. visaing k. a.
b. tai ylsang b.
c. heui tai ylsang c.
d. jip keuih go neui heui tai d.
ylsang.
e. Keuih jip keuih go neui heui e.
tai ylsang.
+ 5« ngoh taaitaai 5. »•
b. tuhng ngoh taaitaai b.
c. tuhng ngoh taaitaai heui c.
d. mhtuhng ngoh taaitaai heui d.
e. Wohng Taai mhtuhng ngoh e.
taaitaai heui.
+ 6. a. maaih yeh 6. a.
( yeh =
things, stuff )
b. heui maaih yeh b.
c. bingo heui maaih yeh a? c.
d. tuhng bingo heui maaih yeh a? d.
e. Neih tuhng bingo heui maaih e.
yeh a?
7. a. sih 7. a.
+ b. jouh sih b.
c. hai blndouh jouh sih a? c.
d. Neih hai blndouh jouh sih a? d.
e. Ngoh hai Jungwaahn jouh sih. e.
+ 8. a. douh 8. a.
the context usually
makes the meaning
clear. )
do
do what?
go to Kowloon to do what?
What is he going to
Kowloon to do?
He's going to Kowloon
to see a friend.
doctor
see a doctor
go to see a doctor
meet her daughter and go
to see the doctor.
She's meeting her daughter
to take her to the
doctor.
my wife
with my wife
go with my wife
not go with my wife
Mrs. Wong isn't going
with my wife.
buy things, do shopping
go shopping
who is going shopping?
go shopping with whom?
Who are you going shopping
with?
affairs, business
work , have a job
work where?
Where do you work?
I work in the Central
District.
road
277
LESSON 12
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
+ b. Neihdeun Douh
+ c. Neihdeun Douh ngh baak luhk-
sahpyih houh
( houh =
number )
d. Neihdeun Douh ngh baak luhk-
sahpyih houh saam lau
+ (lau =
floor , story of a building )
e, Ngoh jyuh hai Neihdeun Douh
ngh baak luhksahpyih houh
saam lau.
b. Nathan Road
c. Number 562 Nathan Road
d. 562 Nathan Road 3rd
floor (2nd floor British
counting system)
e. I live at 562 Nathan
Road, on the 3rd floor.
Comment: In Hongkong, when speaking English, the British
system of counting the floors of a building is
used: ground floor, 1st floor, 2d floor, etc.
In speaking Cantonese, the Chinese (which is also
the American) system is used: the ground floor
is called 1st floor the floor above the 1st floor
is called the 2d floor, etc.
3. Substitution Drill: Repeat the
then substitute as directed.
1. Ngoh slnsaang mhhai ngukkei.
My husband is not at home.
2. /ngoh go jai/
3. /ngoh go neui/
k. /ngoh ge jai/
5. /ngoh ge jaineui/
6. /ngoh ge neui/
7. /ngoh taaitaai/
+8. /ngoh bahba/
+ 9. /ngoh ge neuihpahngyauh/
10. /ngoh ge naahmpahngyauh/
t sentence after the techer,
1. Ngoh slnsaang mhhai ngukkei.
2. Ngoh go jai mhhai ukkei.
3. Ngoh go neui mhhai ukkei.
k. Ngoh ge jai mhhai ukkei.
5. Ngoh ge jaineui mhhai ukkei.
6. Ngoh ge neui mhhai ukkei.
7. Ngoh taaitaai mhhai ukkei.
8. Ngoh bahba mhhai ukkei.
My father is not at home.
9. Ngoh ^e neuihpahngyauh mhhai
ukkei.
My girl friend is not at
borne.
10. Ngoh ge naahmpahngyauh
mhhai ukkei.
My boy friend is not at
home.
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 12
1 f. Transformation Drill
Ex: T: Ngoh hai Heunggong
jyuh.
S : Ngoh jyuh hai Heung-
gong.
1. Ngoh mahma hai Gauluhng jyuh.
2. Neih hai blndouh jyuh a?
3. Ngoh neuihpahngyauh hai
Heunggong jyuh.
k. Keuih bahba hai Yinggwok jyuh.
5. Go go yahn hai douh jyuh.
T: I live in Hong Kong.
S: I live in Hong Kong.
1. Ngoh mahma jyuh hai Gau-
luhng.
2. Neih jyuh hai blndouh a?
3. Ngoh neuihpahngyauh jyuh
hai Heunggong.
k. Keuih bahba jyuh hai
Yinggwok.
5. Go go yahn jyuh hai douh.
5. Expansion Drill
JSx: T: Hoh Saang heui
Gauluhng.
S: Hoh Saang heui
Gauluhng jouh mat-
yeh a?
1. Ngoh heui hohkhaauh.
2. Ngoh slnsaang heui gaakleih.
T: Mr. Ho is going to Kowloon.
S: What's Mr. Ho going to Kowloon
to do? or
What's Mr. Ho going to Kow-
loon for?
1. Neih heui hohkhaauh jouh
matyeh a?
2. Neih slnsaang heui gaakleih
jouh matyeh a?
3. Keuih naahmpahngyauh heui
Dak Fu Douh Jung jouh
matyeh a?
k. Leih Saang neuihpahngyauh heui k. Leih Saang neuihpahngyauh
Jungwaahn. heui Jungwaahn jouh
matyeh a?
5. Neih mahma heui ngahnhohng
jouh matyeh a?
6. Neih bahba heui Heunggong
3. Keuih naahmpahngyauh heui Dak
Fu Douh Jung.
5. Ngoh mahma heui ngahnhohng.
Chaansat jouh matyeh a?
6. Ngoh bahba heui Heunggong
Chaansat.
Comment: Note that neuihpahngyauh and naahmpahngyauh accept
possessive modifiers with or without ge or go:
Ex: Leih Sluje"^ - ^naahmpahngyauh Miss Lee's boy-
?ge r friend
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LESSON 12
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
6. Transformation Drill
Ex: T: fthgoi neih ganjyuh T:
ngoh lain la.
S: fthhou ganjyuh ngoh S:
lain la.
1. fthgoi neih ganjyuh keuih heui
la.
Please follow him.
2. fthgoi neih ganjyuh ngoh gong
la.
Please repeat after me.
3. fthgoi neih ganjyuh go ga haak
chl heui la.
k. fthgoi neih ganjyuh go go yahn
heui la.
5. fthgoi neih ganjyuh ngoh laih la.
Please follow me.
Don't follow me, please.
1. fthhou ganjyuh keuih heui la.
2. fthhou ganjyuh ngoh gong la.
3. fthhou ganjyuh go ga haak
che heui la.
k. fthhou ganjyuh go go yahn
heui la.
5. fthhou ganjyuh ngoh laih la.
7. Hesponse Drill
Ex: T: fthgoi neih ganjyuh T: Please follow me.
ngoh heui la.
+ S: Sai mhsai gan neih 3: Should I follow you?
heui a?
[Should I following you, go?]
1.
fthgoi neih ganjyuh keuih
heui la.
1.
Sai mhsai gan keuih heui a?
2.
fthgoi neih ganjyuh Wohng Taai
heui la.
2.
Sai mhsai gan Wohng Taai
heui a?
3.
fthgoi neih ganjyuh go go Meih-
gwokyahn heui la.
3.
Sai mhsai gan go go Meihgwok-
yahn heui a?
4.
fthgoi neih ganjyuh ngoh mahma
heui la.
h.
Sai mhsai gan neih mahma
heui a?
5.
fthgoi neih ganjyuh ngoh pahng-
yauh laih la.
5-
Sai mhsai gan neih pahngyauh
laih a?
Comment: ganjyuh and gan both mean 'follow' and in some cases
may be used interchangeably; but gan cannot be used
as the only verb in a sentence, whereas ganjyuh can.
280
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 12
8. Substitution Drill: Repeat the first sentence after the teacher,
then substitute as directed.
1.
Ngoh heui Yinggwok.
I'm going to England.
1.
Ngoh heui Yinggwok.
2.
/ngoh go jai/
2.
Ngoh go jai heui Yinggwok.
•I
?•
/ touhsyugwun/
3.
Ngoh go jai heui touhsyu-
gwun.
i.
<+.
/keuih taaitaai/
Keuih taaitaai heui touhsyu-
gwun.
5.
/se jihlauh/
5.
Keuih taaitaai heui se jih-
lauh.
6.
/keuih sinsaang/
6.
Keuih sinsaang heui sejih-
lauh.
7.
/Meihgwok/
7.
Keuih sinsaang heui Meihgwok.
8.
/ngoh mahma/
8.
Ngoh mahma heui Meihgwok.
9. Conversation Exercise
Ex: A: H6h Saang heui A: Where is Mr. Ho going?
blndouh a?
B: Keuih heui Gauluhng. B: He's going to Kowloon.
A: Heui Gauluhng jouh A: What's he going to do there?
matyeh a?
B: Heui maaih yeh. B: He's going shopping.
A: A, heui maaih yeh. A: Oh, he's going shopping.
1. A. Wohng Siuje ? 1. A. Wohng Siuje heui blndouh
a?
B .Heunggong. B. Keuih heui Heunggong.
A ? A. Heui Heunggong jouh
me yeh a?
B taam pahngyauh. B. Heui taam pahngyauh.
A A. A, heui taam pahngyauh.
2. A. Neih taaitaai ? 2. A. Neih taaitaai heui
blndouh a?
B ngahnhohng. B. Keuih heui ngahnhohng.
A ..? A. Heui ngahnhohng jouh
meyeh a?
B lo chin. B. Heui lb chin.
A A. A, heui lo chin.
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LESSON 12
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
3. A. Neih ? 3. A. Neih heui bindouh a?
B Tlnslng Mahtauh. B. Ngoh heui Tlnslng Mahtauh.
A ? A. Heui Tlnslng Mahtauh
jouh meyeh a?
B jip ngoh ge jaineui. B. Heui jip ngoh ge jaineui.
A A. A, heui jip neih ge
jaineui.
Comment: To let the other person know you've been paying
attention in English, we have such phrases as 'I see'
and 'Is that so?'. On the telephone we signal we're
still listening by such phrases as 'unhuh' , 'yes',
'I see,' during pauses in the flow of speech from
the person at the other end of the phone. A favorite
way to signal such information in Cantonese is for
the listener to repeat the speaker's last sentence,
or a portion of it.
10. Question and Answer Drill
+ Ex: T: Neih sung neih go T:
neui heui bindouh
a? /bohkhaauh/
( Sung = deliver )
S: Ngoh sung ngoh go S:
neui heui hohkhaauh.
Where are you taking your
daughter? /school/
I'm taking my daughter to
school.
1. Neih sung neih go neui heui
bindouh a? /Tinsing Mahtauh/
2. Neih sung neih go neui heui
bindouh a? /Mahnwah Jaudim/
3. Neih sung neih go jai heui
bindouh a? /Chahn Ylsang
douh/
Neih sung neih go jai heui
bindouh a? /hohkhaauh/
5. Neih sung neih go jai heui
bindouh a? /faan honk/
6. Neih sung neih ge neuihpahng-
yauh heui bindouh a?
/faan gung/
7. Neih sung neih mahma heui bin- 7. Ngoh sung ngoh mahma faan
douh a? /faan ngukkei/ ngukkei.
Comment: sung ' deliver ,' s to accompany someone to a destination
and leave him there, contrasts with daai 'take
1. Ngoh sung ngoh go neui heui
Tlnslng Mahtauh.
2. Ngoh sung ngoh go neui heui
Mahnwah Jaudim.
3. Ngoh sung ngoh go jai heui
Chahn Ylsang douh.
I'm taking my son to Dr.
Chan's.
Ngoh sung ngoh go jai heui
hohkhaauh.
5. Ngoh sung ngoh go jai faan
hohk.
6. Ngoh sung ngoh ge neuih-
pahngyauh faan gung.
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 12
along, 'stake someone along with you and he stays
with you.
11. Response Drill
+ Ex: T: Neih tuhng bingo
heui maaih yen a?
/Wohng Sluje/
S: Ngoh tuhng Wohng
Sluje heui.
1. Neih tuhng bingo heui sihk
faahn a? /ngoh taaitaai/
2. Wohng Saang tuhng bingo heui
ngahnhohng a? /Wohng Taai/
3. Keuih tuhng bingo heui tai
ylsang a? /keuih slnsaang/
k. Jeung Sluje tuhng bingo heui
yam chah a? /keuih bahba/
5. Neih tuhng bingo laih a?
/ngoh mahma/
T: Who are you going shopping with ?
/Miss Wong/
S: I'm going with Hiss Wong.
1. Ngoh tuhng ngoh taaitaai
heui.
2. Wohng Saang tuhng Wohng Taai
heui.
3. Keuih tuhng keuih slnsaang
heui.
h. Jeung Sluje tuhng keuih
bahba heui.
3. Ngoh tuhng ngoh mahma laih.
Repeat, as Alteration Drill, thus:
T: Neih tuhng bingo heui maaih yen a? /Wohng Siuje/
Who are you going shopping with? /Miss Wong/
S: Neih tuhng mh tuhng Wohng Siuje heui maaih yeh a?
Are you going shopping with Miss Wong?
12. Transformation Drill
Ex: T: Ngoh tuhng keuih
heui tai ylsang.
S: Ngoh mhtuhng keuih
heui tai ylsang.
1. Keuih daai ngoh heui maaih
yeh.
2. Keuih jip ngoh heui hohkhaauh.
3. Keuih dang ngoh sihk faahn.
Ngoh sung keuih faan ukkei.
5. Ngoh jungyi tuhng keuih heui
gaai.
283
T: I'm going with him to the
doctor' s.
S : I'm not going with him to the
doctor' s.
1. Keuih mhdaai ngoh heui
maaih yeh.
2. Keuih mhjip ngoh heui
hohkhaauh.
3. Keuih mhdang ngoh sihk faahn.
h. Ngoh mhsung keuih faan ukkei.
5. Ngoh mhjungyi tuhng keuih
heui gaai.
LESSON 12
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
I like to go out with him.
6. Ngoh tuhng keuih dou jungyi
heui gaai.
We both like to go out.
7. Ngoh gan keuih heui Meihgwok.
8. Ngoh seung gan keuih heui
Yahtbun.
+ 9. Ngoh yiu daai keuih heui jouh
saam .
( jouh saam =
make clothes , have clothes
made )
I have to take her to have
clothes made .
10. Keuih tuhng ngoh heui maaih
saudoi.
I don't like to go out
with him.
6. Ngoh tuhng keuih dou rah jung-
yi heui gaai.
Neither one of us likes
to go out.
7. Ngoh rnhgan keuih heui
Meihgwok.
8. Ngoh mhseung gan keuih heui
Yahtbun.
9. Ngoh mhsai daai keuih heui
jouh saam.
I don't have to take her
to have clothes made.
10. Keuih mhtuhng ngoh heui
maaih saudoi.
13. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Keuih heui hohkhaauh. T:
/baat dim bun/
S: Keuih baat dim bun S:
heui hohkhaauh.
1. Keuih heui sihk faahn.
/tuhng ngoh/
2. Keuih heui chahlauh. /yam chah/
3. Keuih tuhng keuih slnsaang
heui Gauluhng. /mhtuhng/
k. Keuih daai keuih go jai heui
tai yisang. /daai mhdaai a?/
5. Keuih heui jip keuih slnsaang.
/sejihlauh/
6. Keuih gan mahma heui chaansat.
/yam chah/
7. Keuih sung neuihpahngyauh faan
Gkkei. /keuih ge/
8. Keuih hai chaansat dang ngoh.
/yihga/
He's going to school.
/8:30/
He's going to school at 8:30.
1. Keuih tuhng ngoh heui sihk
faahn.
2. Keuih heui chahlauh yam
chah.
3. Keuih mhtuhng keuih sinsang
heui Gauluhng.
k. Keuih daai mhdaai keuih go
jai heui tai yisang a?
5. Keuih heui sejihlauh jip
keuih slnsaang.
6. Keuih gan mahma heui chaan-
sat yam chah.
7. Keuih sung keuih ge neuih-
pahngyauh faan ukkei.
8. Keuih yihga hai chaansat
dang ngoh.
28k
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 12
14. Response Drill
Ex: 1. T: Keuih yam gafe ah. T:
S: Haih a, yam gafi. S:
2. T: Keuih mhslk^gong T:
Yingmahn ah.
S: Haih a, mhslk gong. S:
1. Keuih cheutjogaai ah.
She's gone out, hasn't she.
2. Neih ukkei mouh dihnwa ah.
3. Hoh Saang heui yam chah ah.
4. Chahn Siuje seung maaih haaih ah.
5. Neih sinsaang mhfaanlaih sihk
faahn ah.
6. Go go yahn hai Meihgwok Ngahn-
hohng jouh sih ah.
7. Keuihdeih heui Gauluhng maaih
yeh ah.
8. Neih mhjungyi yam bejau ah.
9. Keuih taaitaai heui jip keuih
go neui ah?
He's drinking coffee, isn't he.
That's right — drinking coffee.
She doesn't know how to speak
English, does she?
That's right; she doesn't.
1. Haih a, cheutjogaai.
That's right, gone out.
2. Haih a, mouh dihnwa.
3. Haih a, heui yam chah.
k. Haih a, seung maaih haaih.
5. Haih a, mhfaanlaih sihk
faahn.
6. Haih a, hai Meihgwok Ngahn-
hohng jouh sih.
7. Haih a, heui Gauluhng maaih
yeh.
8. Haih a, mhjungyi yam bejau.
9. Haih a, heui jip keuih go
neui.
15. Expansion Drill
1. Ngoh sejihlauh hauhbihn
yauh go che jaahm.
Behind my office there's
a car stop.
2. Chahn Siuje ukkei chihnbihn
yauh gaan ngahnhohng.
In front of Miss Chan's
house there's a bank.
3. HeunggSng Ngahnhohng hauh-
bihn yauh gaan jaudim.
k, Heunggong Chaansat hauhbihn
yauh gaan gungsl.
5. Junggwok Chahlauh chihnbihn
yauh miyeh a?
Comment: chihnbihn and hauhbihn literally mean 'front side' and
'back side' and are not specific as to whether the
positions designated are inside/outside the front/
back side. Only very rarely, though, is the meaning
unclear in context.
1. Hauhbihn yauh go che jaahm.
/Ngoh sejihlauh/
There's a car stop in back.
+ 2. Chihnbihn yauh gaan ngahnhohng.
/Chahn Siuje ukkei/
( in front ;
front side )
3. Hauhbihn yauh gaan jaudim.
/Heunggong Ngahnhohng/
k. Hauhbihn yauh gaan gungsl.
/Heunggong Chaansat/
5. Chihnbihn yauh me yeh a?
/Junggwok Chahlauh/
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LESSON 12
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
IV : CONVERSATIONS FOR LISTENING
(On tape. Refer to wordlist below as you listen.)
Unfamiliar terms, in order of occurrence:
1) bin? = blndouh?
2) Meyeh aih a? = What's the matter?
3) lSh = sen. suf. expressing sympathy
k) ngaamngaam = just now, just on the point of, just
5) Yauh meyeh sih a? = What's going on?
6) Mouh meyeh sih.= Nothing special.
7) ngaamngaam seung heui = just thinking of going
8) yatjan = in a little while
V. SAY IT IN CANTONESE
A. You say to the person sitting
next to you:
1. A, Mr. Lau, where are you
going?
2. I'm going to Kowloon to buy
something.
3. Where do you live?
k. I'm taking my daughter to see
the doctor.
5. Who are you going shopping
with?
6. You don't have a phone at
home, do you. (confident
that he doesn' t)
7. She doesn't drink alcoholic
beverages, does she.
(confident that she doesn't.
8. What are you going over to
Kowloon to do?
9. Where is the Number 8 car
stop?
10. I can't make out what bus
that is over there.
11. Your office is behind the
Mandarin Hotel, isn't it?
286
B. And he responds:
1. I'm going to work, how
about you?
2. I'm going to Kowloon too.
3. I live in the Central Dis-
trict.
4. Which doctor are you going
to?
5. I'm going with Miss Lee.
6. That's right, we don't have
one.
7. Not sol She does drink
alcoholic beverages.
8. I'm going to visit my
father.
9. It's in front of the bank.
10. Over there where?
11. No, it's in the vicinity
of the Central Market.
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LSSSON 12
12. I take my son to school at
eight.
13. Where are you going?
Ik. I'm going to Kowloon to
go shopping.
15. My boy friend is not going
shopping with me.
16. Should I follow you?
12. What time does your daughter
go?
13. I'm going to my girl friend's
house to meet her.
l*f. Is your boy friend going
with you?
15. He told me he wanted to go
with you.
16. Yes, please follow me.
Vocabulary Checklist for Lesson 12
1.
ban Da
n
iatner
2.
cninnbinn
r W
iront ^iront side J
3.
chingcho
adj
clear, vivid, clearly
k .
daai
V/coV
take/bring (someone/something) along
5.
douh
bf
road, restricted to use following named road
6.
ga
m
M. for vehicle
7.
gan
coV
follow, come behind
Q
8.
ganjyuh
T
follow, come behind
9.
Gauluhng
PW
Kowloon
LO.
hauhbihn
PW
back (back side); behind
11.
heui
V
go
12.
hohkhaauh
n/PW
school
13.
houh
m
number
Ik.
jai
n
son
15.
jaineui
n
children (of a family), sons and daughters
16.
dip
V
: meet, fetch, pick up (a person)
17.
jouh
V
do, work
18.
jouh saam
vo
: make clothes, have clothes made
19.
jouh sih
vo
: to work, have a job
20.
jyuh
V
: live
21.
laih
V
: come
22.
lau
0
: floor, storey of a building
23.
mahma
n
: mother
2k.
Mouh cho.
Ph
: That's right.
287
LESSOT 12 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
25 . naahmpahngyauh
n:
26. Neihdeun Douh
PW:
27. neui
n:
28. neuihpahngyauh
n:
29. sib
a:
30. slnsaang
n:
31 • sung
coV/V:
32. taaitaai
n:
33. taam
v:
3^. tai ylsang
vo:
35. tuhng
coV:
36. yeh
n:
37. ylsang
n:
boy-friend
Nathan Road
daughter
girl-friend
piece of business, affair, matter
husband
deliver
wife; married woman
to visit
see the doctor
with
things, stuff
doctor
288
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
L5SS0N 13
I. BASIC CONVERSATION
A. Buildup:
Haul blndouh a?
daaphaak
Daaphaak
gui
go tiuh gaai
■Sag
aayeh Bang
giujouh, or giu
giujouh aayah Mag a?
go tiuh gaai giujouh aayah
aang a?
Ngoh ahgoidak go tiuh gaai
giujouh Mjih aaag.
haahag
yatjibk
Naih yatjibk haahag aia.
dov
wah aaih ting
Dou gaasauhngha, ngoh wah
aaih ting,
yauh
jyua
Jyua yauh
Hal aldouh jyua yauh.
i'o
jyua jo
gwodl
Qwodl, jyua jo.
Whara to?
passangar
straat
that atraat
aaaa
what aaaa?
oallad, ba oallad
what' a its aaaa?
•hat's tba aaaa of that
straat?
I don't raaaabar tha aaaa of
tha atraat.
go; walk; drira
straight
Qo straight firat.
arrira
tall you
I'll tall you aa wa go along.
right
turn
tura right
Turn right hara.
laft
tura laft
a littla farthar on
Just a littla farthar on,
turn laft.
Haih ahhaih aldouh a?
Is this tha plaea?
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Daaphaak
fthhaih— gwodl tia.
gwo
gwo gei gian
jauh
Owe gei gun, jauh haih leak.
Don laakl
josiubihn or jobiha
Hai josaubihn go gian.
tihag
tihng oho
hoyih
Nldouh ahhoyih tihag che.
Daaphaak
(pointing to the
yahp-
yahpheui
Jyun yahpheui la.
wai
paak
yiuh wai paak che
yahpbihn
Yahpbihn yauh wai paak oho.
(Tho oar goes into
Daaphaak
Hou laak. Hai nldouh tihng
chi la.
fthgoi neih dang Jahn —
jauh
Ngoh jauh faanlaih.
Ho— atill farther,
paaa, cross by
pass a few buildings
clause connector t then; and
Pass a few buildings (aore)
and that* a it.
Arriwedl (i.e.: Here it isl)
left hand side, left side
It's that building oa the left.
stop
stop the car
be permitted, can
Tou can't stop here.
.reway: )
in
go in
Turn in (the driveway),
place; seat
park
there's a place to park
inside
Inside there's a place to park,
i driveway)
OK. Stop here.
Please wait—
immediately, soon
I'll be right back.
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LESSON 13
B. Recapitulation ;
Heui blndouh a?
Sjgei
Daaphaak
Ngoh ahgeidak go tiuh gaai
giujouh aeyeh aeng,
Neih yatjihk haahng oin.
Dou gaaseuhngha, ngoh wan neih
tang.
Hai nldouh jyun yauh.
GwodI, jyun jo.
glgei
Eaih ihhaih nldouh a?
Daaphaak
Abhaih— gwodl tia.
Gwo gei gaan, jauh haih laak.
Whera to?
I don' t reaeaber the name of
the street.
Go straight firat.
I'll tell you as we go along.
Turn right here*
Juat a little farther on, turn
left.
Is this the place?
No— still farther.
Pass a fee buildings aore and
that's it.
Here it isl
You area' t allowed to stop here.
Dou laakt
Sisii
Nldouh ahhoyih tihng che.
Daaphaak
(pointing to the driveway:)
Jyun yahpheui la. Turn in (the driveway).
Yahpbihn yauh wai paak che. Inside there's a place to
park*
(The car goes into the driveway:)
Daaphaak
Hon laak. Hai nldouh tihng che la. OK — stop here.
Ahgoi neih dang jahn— ngoh jauh Please wait— I'll be right
faanlaih. back.
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
II. NOTES
1. (yat) jihk 1 straight , ' ' straight -away"
In combination with following heui , the portion yat can be
omitted.
(Yat) jihk heui lal go straight.
In combination with following haahng, yat .jihk is preferred:
yat jihk haahng: go (or walk) straight
(See BC)
(yat) jihk may have the meaning 1 straight-away , ' 'without being
interrupted or diverted'
Ex: Nl ga che jihk heui Jung- This bus goes straight to the
waahn ea. Central District.
2. jauh = (1) then....
(2) immediately
a. jauh in a two-clause sentence = then ....
jauh connects subordinate clause and main clause in a sentence
of sequential relationship:
(When or After) A , then B .
As clause connector jauh comes in the second clause (the
main clause), following the subject of the clause (if any) and
preceding the verb.
Ex: 1. Gwo gei gaan, jauh (After we) pass a few buildings,
haih laak. then there it is.
2. Gwo gei fanjung, neih After a few minutes pass, you
jauh hoyih faan- can come back,
lain.
(See BC and Drill 10 )
b. jauh in a single clause sentence = 'right away, immediately'
In this jauh acts as an adverb, positioned immediately before
the verb it concerns:
Ex: Ngoh jauh faanlaih. I'll be right back.
Ngoh jauh tuhng keuih I'll be right back with him. or
faanlaih. I'll bring him right back.
Ngoh tuhng keuih jauh He and I will be right back,
faanlaih.
Ngoh saam dimjung jauh I'll be back at 3 o'clock,
faanlaih. (an early hour from the
speaker's point of view)
(See BC)
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON 13
3. hoyih = 'can,' in the sense of l) 'permitted to 1
2) 'willing and able,' 'can do a favor'
hoyih is an auxiliary verb, which takes another verb as its
object. The colloquial English equivalent is usually 'can,' but it
may have one of two different underlying meanings.
a. 'can' in the sense of 'permitted to'
Nidouh mhhoyih paak che. You can't park here.
[Here it is not allowed to
park]
(See BC and Drills 1. *Q
b. 'can' in the sense of 'can do a favor,' 'able and willing
to...' In the negative = 'willing but unable'
1. NgSh hoyih je yat baak I can lend you $100.
man (bei) neih.
2. Neih ho mhhoyih je yat Can you lend me $100?
baak man (bei) ngoh
a?
3. Deuiinhjyuh — ngoh mh- I'm sorry, I can't come get
hoyih laih jip you, I have some work (I
neih — yauh dl sih. have to attend to.)
k. tihng . 'stop' with hai phrases.
tihng, 'stop' is one of a group of verbs which a hai phrase
can either precede or follow. (See note on hai with verbs of station, p273. )
Hai nidouh tihng che la. Here stop. (i.e. Stop here.)
(See BC)
Tihng hai bindouh a? Stop where?
(See Drill 7 )
paak , 'park (a car)' also belongs to the group of verbs which
a hai phrase can either precede or follow. Abstracting a common
characteristic of this group of verbs, we say that they are 'standing
still' verbs, or verbs of station. The verbs for stand, sit, lie
down, stop, park an.l others are members of this group.
As for which comes first, the hai phrase or the other verb, it
goes according to the Chinese language characteristic of making what
you're talking about the subject of the sentence and putting it at
the beginning of the sentence. If you're concerned about 'where' you
put the hai phrase first; if you're most concerned about stopping,
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LESSON 13 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
you put that part first.
(See BC and Drill 7_)
5. Sentence suffix la for friendly advice or persuasion.
An imperative sentence with sentence suffix la at mid pitch on
the intonation scale adds the connotation of friendly advice or
persuasion.
Ex: fthhou faanjyun tauh la. Don't turn and go back =
Better not turn and go back.
(Said as friendly advice
rather than command)
(See Drill 12 )
6. jo and yauh , 'left' and 'right.'
jo and yauh are boundwords which may be bound to a preceding
verb to form a VO phrase, or to a following boundword of place to
become a PW , or to a following noun as a modifier.
Ex: VO: jyun jo turn left
PW: jobihn left side, left, to the left
mod+N: jo sau left hand
(See BC)
29k
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LKSSON 15
III. DRILLS
1. Expansion Drill
+ 1. a. faanjyuntauh
b. hai nldouh faanjyuntauh
c. hoylh hai nldouh faanjyuntauh
d. ihhoylh hai nldouh faanjyuntauh
1. a. turn (the car) around
and go back the other
way
b. turn around here and go
back
c. you may turn around and
go back here or
it is permitted to turn
around and go back from
here
d. it's not allowed to turn
around and go back here
e. May I turn around and go
back here?
e. Ho mhhoylh hai nldouh faan-
jyuntauh a?
Comment: faanjyuntauh [return- turn-head] is used when you
have overshot the place you intend to go and want
to direct the driver to turn the car around and
go back.
+ 2. a. tanhauh
b. tanhauh la
c. tanhauh la, godouh yauh
go wai
d. tanhauh la, godouh hauhbihn
yauh go wai
e. Tanhauh la, godouh hauhbihn
yauh go wai paak che.
+ 3. a. wlhng On Gungsl
2. a. back up . reverse (a car)
b. back up please
c. back up, there's a place
d. back up, behind us
there's a place
e. Back up, behind us there's
a place to park.
3. a. Wing On Company , (a
department store in
Hong Kong)
b. hai Wihng On Gungsl
c. hai Wlhng On Gungsl tihng che
d. ihgoi neih hai Wihng_Gn
Gungsl tihng che la
e. flhgoi neih hai Wihng 0n_
Gungsl gwodl tihng che la.
a. yahpheui
b. jyun yahpheui
c. ganjyuh jyun yahpheui.
b. at Wing On
c. stop the car at Wing On
d. please stop the car at
Wing On
e. Please stop the car a
little beyond Wing On.
a. enter, go in.
b. turn in (there)
[turn, go in]
c. follow (that car) in
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
d. ganjyuh go ga che jyun
yahpheui
e. ganjyuh go ga haak che jyun
yahpheui
f. Ganjyuh chihnbihn go ga haak
che jyun yahpheui.
5. a. yauh wai
b. yauh go wai
c. yauh go wai paak che
d. hauhbihn yauh go wai paak che
e. ga haak che hauhbihn yauh go
wai paak che
f. go ga haak che hauhbihn yauh
go wai paak che
g. NeJ Go ga haak che hauhbihn
yauh go wai paak che.
d. follow that car in
[follow that car, turn
in]
e. follow that black car in
[follow that black car
there turn in]
f. Follow that black car
ahead in. or
Turn where that black
car up there is.
[Follow that black car
over there, turn in.]
a. there is space
b. there is a space
c. there is a place to
park cars
d. in the back there is a
place to park cars
e. behind the black car
there is a parking
place
f. behind that black car
there is a parking
place
g. Therel Behind the black
car there is a parking
place.
2. Substitution Drill: Repeat the first sentence, then substitute
as directed.
1. Haaih, Yingman giujouh meyeh a? 1. Haaihj Yingman giujouh
How do you say "shoes" in meyeh a?
English?
2. /pihnggwo/ 2. Pihngjwo, Yingman giujouh
meyeh a?
3. /tohng/ t>. Tohngj Yingman giujouh
meyeh a?
k. /blu/ ^. Blu, Yingman giujouh meyeh
a?
5. /jung/ 5. Jung, Yingman giujouh meyeh
a?
6. /gai/ 6. Gai, Yingman giujouh miyeh
a?
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 13
7. /gaai/ 7. Gaai, Yingman giujouh meyeh
a?
Comment: giu may substitute for giujouh in all sentences above.
3. Response Drill
Ex: 1. T: Go gaan gungsl T: What's the name of that depart-
giu meyeh meng ment store? /Wing On Company/
a? /Wlhng Cn
Gungsl/
S: Giujouh Wlhng On S: It's called the Wing On Company.
Gungsl.
2. T: Go gaan gungsl T: What's the name of that depart-
giu meyeh meng ment store? /shake/
a? /shake/
S: Deuimhjyuh, ngoh S: Excuse me, I don't know what
it's called.
mhjidou giujouh
meyeh meng.
1. Gaakleih gaan chahlauh giu
meyeh meng a? /shake/
2. Jogan^go gaan ngahnhohng giu
meyeh meng a? /Meihgwok
Ngahnhohng/
3. Go bihn gaan jaudim giu meyeh
meng a? /Mahnwah Jaudim/
h. Daaih Douh Jung go gaan chaan-
sat giu meyeh meng a?
/shake/
5. Deuimihn go mahtauh giu meyeh
meng a? /Tlnsing Mahtauh/
6. Nl tiuh gaai giu meyeh meng a? 6. Giujouh Daaih Douh Jung.
/Daaih Douh Jung/
7. Go gaan gungsl giu meyeh meng
a? /shake/
a. Repeat: Omitting 'meng' in question and answer.
1. Deuimhjyuh, ngoh mhjidou
giujouh meyeh meng.
2. Giujouh Meihgwok Ngahnhohng.
3. Giujouh Mahnwah Jaudim.
k. Deuimhjyuh, ngoh mhjidou
giujouh meyeh meng.
5. Giujouh Tlnsing Mahtauh.
7. Deuimhjyuh, ngoh mhjidou
giujouh meyeh meng.
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
h. Alteration Drill
Ex: T: fthgoi neih_hai nldouh T:
tihng che la.
S: Ho mhhoylh hai nldouh S:
tihng che a?
1. fthgoi neih gwodl jyun jo la.
2. fthgoi neih jyun yahpheui la.
+ 3. fthgoi neih jyun yahp yauhsau -
bihn la.
( yauhsaubihn =
right hand side )
Please turn in on the right
hand side.
h. fthgoi neih hai nldouh jyun
yahp heui la.
5. fthgoi neih tanhauh la.
Please stop (the car) here.
May one stop here? or
Is it permitted to stop here?
1. Ho mhhoylh gwodl jyun jo a?
2. Ho mhhoylh jyun yahpheui a?
3. Ho mhhoylh jyun yahp
yauhsaubihn a?
k. Ho mhhoylh hai nldouh jyun
yahp heui a?
5. Ho mhhoylh tanhauh a?
5. Substitution Drill: Students gesture where appropriate. Repeat
first sentence, then substitute as directed.
1. Nldouh mhhoylh jyun yauh.
It's not allowed to turn
to the right here.
2. diuhtauh
( turn around (a car))
3. jyun yahpheui
h. tanhauh
5. yat jihk heui
6. jyun jo.
Comment: Compare word order of:
1. Nldouh mhhoylh jyun jo .
2. fthhoylh hai nldouh jyun jo .
3. Hai nldouh mhhoylh jyun jo .
1. Nldouh mhhoylh jyun yauh.
2. Nldouh mhhoyih diuhtauh.
3. Nldouh mhhoylh jyun yahpheui.
k. Nldouh mhhoylh tanhauh.
5. Nldouh mhhoylh yat jihk
heui.
6. Nldouh mhhoylh jyun jo.
You can't turn left
here.
These are interchangeable. Note absence of hai
before nldouh in first sentence. Omission of hai
before PW js permitted when _PW begins the sentence.
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON 13
6. Substitution Drill: Repeat the fir6
directed.
1. Yiu hai nldouh tanhauh.
(We) want to back up here, or
Back up here.
2. mhsai
3. diuhtauh
yiu
5. jyun yahpheui
6. hoyih
7. jyun yauh
8. hou mhhou
9. yatjihk heui
10. faanjyun tauh
t sentence, then substitute as
1. Yiu hai nldouh tanhauh.
2. Mhsai hai nldouh tanhauh.
3. Mhsai hai nldouh diuhtauh.
k. Yiu hai nldouh diuhtauh.
5. Yiu hai nldouh jyun yahpheui.
6. Hoylh hai nldouh jyun yahp-
heui.
7. Hoyih hai nldouh jyun yauh.
8. Hou mhhou hai nldouh jyun
yauh a?
Is it OK to turn right
here?
9. Hou mhhou hai nldouh yat-
jihk heui a?
10. Hou mhhou hai nldouh faan-
jyuntauh a?
7. Response Drill: Students gesture where appropriate.
Ex: T: Tlnslng Mahtauh T: Star Ferry
SI: Tihng hai blndouh a? SI: Where should I stop?
S2: Stop at the Star Ferry.
1.
2.
S2: Tihng hai Tlnslng
Mahtauh la.
1. Tihng hai blndouh a?
/Mahnwah Jaudim muhnhau/
2. Tihng hai blndouh a?
/Wihng On Gungsl deuimihn/
3. Tihnj hai blndouh a? 3.
/Meihgwok Ngahnhohng gaakleih/
Tihng hai blndouh a? k.
/Junggwok Chahlauh chihnbihn/
5. Tihng hai blndouh a? 5.
/touhsyugwun muhnhau/
6. Tihng hai blndouh a?
/Tinsing Mahtauh gwodl/
Tihng hai Mahnwah Jaudim
muhnhau la.
Tihng hai IVlhng Cn Gungsl
deuimihn la.
Tihng hai Meihgwok Ngahn-
hohng gaakleih la.
Tihng hai Junggwok Chah-
lauh chihnbihn la.
Tihng hai touhsyugwun
muhnhau la.
Tihng hai_Tlns!ng Mahtauh
gwodl la.
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
7. Tihng hai blndouh a? 7. Tihng hai Meihgwok Jaudim
/Meihgwok Jaudim yauhsaubihn/ yauhsaubihn la.
8. Tihng hai blndouh a? 8. Tihng hai ngahnhohng yauh-
/ngahnhohng yauhbihn/ bihn la.
( right side )
Comment: Tihng j 'stop* is one of a group of verbs which accepts
a hai phrase in either pre-verb position or post-
verb position.
Ex: A: Tihng hai blndouh a? j
Hai blndouh tihng a? J Where Should 1 st °P ?
B: Tihng hai Tlnslng Mahtauh la. ~) stop at the
Hai Tlnslng Mahtauh tihng la. ' Star F erry.
8. Substitution Drill: Repeat the fi
as directed.
1. Junggwok Chahlauh gwodl, jyun
yauh.
A little beyond the China
Teahouse, turn right.
2. jyun jo
3. che jaahm
*f. jyun yauh
5. Heunggong Chaansat
6. Mahnwah Jaudim
7. Dak Fuh Douh
8. hohkhaauh
9. Daaih Douh Jung
10. jyun jo
a. Do as expansion drill,
to, go to,' thus:
T: Junggwok Chahlauh
gwodl, jyun yauh.
S: Haahngdon Junggwok
Chahlauh gwodl,
jyun yauh.
300
sentence, then substitute
1. Junggwok chahlauh gwodl,
jyun yauh.
2. Junggwok Chahlauh gwodl,
jyun jo.
3. Che jaahm gwodl, jyun jo.
k. Che jaahm gwodl, jyun yauh.
5. Heunggong Chaansat gwodl,
jyun yauh.
6. Mahnwah Jaudim gwodl,
jyun yauh.
7. Dak Fuh Douh gwodl, jyun
yauh.
8. Hohkhaauh gwodl, jyun yauh.
9. Daaih Douh Jung gwodl, jyun
yauh.
10. Daaih Douh Jung gwodl, jyun
jo.
incorporating haahngdou 'walk
A little beyond the China
Teahouse, turn right.
Go a little beyond the China
Teahouse, and turn right.
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 13
Note that haahng is not limited to the meaning 'walk,* but
is used as a verb of locomotion for cars as well.
9. Expansion Drill: Students should
Ex: T: Wihng 5n Gungsl
gwodi, jyun jo.
S: Wihng On Gungsl
gwodi, jyun jo,
mhhaih jyun yauh.
1. Meihgwok Ngahnhohng gwodi,
jyun jo.
2. Che jaahm gwodi, jyun yauh.
3. Junggwok Chahlauh gwodi,
jyun yauh.
k. Heunggong Chaansat gwodi,
jyun jo.
5. Mahnwah Jaudim gwodi, jyun
yauh.
gesture to indicate directions.
T: Turn left a little beyond Wing
On Department Store.
S: Turn left a little beyond Wing
On Department Store; not
right.
1. Meihgwok Ngahnhohng gwodi,
jyun jo, mhhaih jyun yauh.
2. Che jaahm gwodi j jyun yauh,
mhhaih jyun jo.
3. Junggwok Chahlauh gwodi,
jyun yauh, mhhaih jyun jo.
Heunggong Chaansat gwodi,
jyun jo, mhhaih jyun yauh.
5. Mahnwah Jaudim gwodi, jyun
yauh, mhhaih jyun jo.
10. Substitution Drill: Repeat first
directed.
1. Gwo leuhng go che jaahm, jauh
haih laak.
Pass two bus stops, and
there you are.
2. yat tiuh gaai
3. eaara go che jaahm
h. leuhng gaan gungsl
5. leuhng tiuh gaai
6. yat gaan
7. gei gaan
sentence, then substitute as
1. Gwo leuhng go che jaahm,
jauh haih laak.
2. Gwo yat tiuh gaai, jauh
haih laak.
3. Gwo saam go che jaahm, jauh
haih laak.
k. Gwo leuhng gaan gungsl,
jauh haih laak.
5. Gwo leuhng tiuh gaai, jauh
haih laak.
6. Gwo yat gaan, jauh haih
laak.
7. Gwo gei gaan, jauh haih laak.
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LESSON 13 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
11. Response Drill
Ex: T: Keuih hai bin gaan
chahlauh a?
/gaakleih/
S: Keuih hai gaakleih
go gaan.
1. Keuih hai bin gaan ngahnhohng
a? /deuimihn/
2. Neih heui bin gaan gungsl a?
/chihnbihn/
3. Neih mahma hai bin gaan sejih-
lauh a? /yauhbihn/
Which teahouse is he in?
/next door, adjacent/
He's in the one next door.
1. Keuih hai deuimihn go gaan.
2. Ngoh heui chihnbihn go gaan.
*t. Neih seung heui bin gaan
chaansat a? /nl bihn/
3. Ngoh mahma hai yauhbihn go
gaan.
4. Ngoh seung heui nl bihn
go gaan.
5. Keuih hai bin gaan hohkhaauh a? 5. Keuih hai josaubihn go gaan.
/josaubihn/
Comment: Compare the structure and meaning above with one you
have studied previously:
1. Keuih hai gaakleih go gaan chahlauh.
He's at the teahouse next door, [next-door teahouse]
2. Keuih hai go gaan chahlauh gaakleih.
He's next door to the teahouse.
12. Transformation Drill: Affirmative to Negative.
Ex: T: Keuih heui Tlnslng T: He's going to the Star Ferry.
Hahtauh.
S: Keuih ihheui Tlnslng S: He's not going to the Star
Mahtauh. Ferry.
1.
Keuih jip ngoh heui tai
ylsang.
1.
Keuih mhjip ngoh heui tai
ylsang.
2.
Hai nldouh hoyih tanhauh.
2.
Hai nldouh mhhoyih tanhauh.
3.
Ngoh yauh sahp man.
3.
Ngoh mouh sahp man.
Ngoh gau chin maaih blu.
Ngoh mhgau chin maaih blu.
5.
Chahn Taai deui haaih gei leng.
5.
Chahn Taai deui haaih
mhhaih gei leng.
6.
Wohng Saang jungyi tuhng ngoh
bahba heui yam chah.
6.
'.Vohng Saang mhjungyi tuhng
ngoh bahba heui yam chah.
+ 7.
Sihk yln la:
7.
flhhou sihk yln lal
(friendly advice)
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CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 13
8. Wohng Taai tuhng ngoh mahma
hou jungyi jouh saam.
9. Ngoh taidou Leih Sluje hai
deuimihn gaan chahlauh.
10. Faanjyun tauh lal
8. Wohng Taai tuhng ngoh mahma
mhjungyi jouh saam.
9. Ngoh taimhdou Leih Sluje
hai deuimihn gaan chahlauh.
10. Rhhou faanjyun tauh la. or
fthsai faanjyun tauh la.
Comment: in #7 and #10 above note that the sentence suffix
on the negative sentences is la and not la. The mid-
pitched final la gives the imperative sentence a
connotation of friendly advice , contrasting to the high
pitch la, polite but more urgent.
13. Transformation Drill: Change the
question to a choice type ques-
the example.
Ex: T: Bin tiuh haih Dak
Fuh Douh Jung a?
S: Nl tiuh haih mhhaih
Dak Fuh Douh Jung
a?
1. Bin gaan haih Junggwok
Ngahnhohng a?
2. Bin gaan haih Wlhng Cn Gungsl
a?
3. Bin gaan haih Meihgwok Jaudim
a?
k. Bin tiuh haih Daaih Douh Jung
a?
5. Bin gaan haih Mahnwah Jaudim
a?
sentence from a question-word
ion, following the pattern of
T: Which street is Des Voeux
Central?
S: Is this Des Voeux Road Central?
1. Nl gaan haih mhhaih Jung-
gwok Ngahnhohng a?
2. Nl gaan haih mhhaih V/Ihng
On Gungsl a?
3. Nl gaan haih mhhaih Meih-
gwok Jaudim a?
k. Nl tiuh haih mhhaih Daaih
Douh Jung a?
3. Nl gaan haih mhhaih Mahnwah
Jaudim a?
Ik. Substitution Drill: Repeat the fi
directed.
1. Chihnbihn yauh mouh wai paak
che a?
Is there a place to park the
car in front?
2. /yahpbihn/
3. /deuimihn/
303
sentence, then substitute as
1. Chihnbihn yauh mouh wai paak
che a?
2. Yahpbihn yauh mouh wai
paak che a?
3. Deuimihn yauh mouh wai
paak che a?
LESSON 13 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
^ •
/ itit^ V\ Tt V\ a n /
/ muiiiiiiciu/
« •
riunriimu jauii moun wai paait
che a?
\> •
/tTQoH A ^ V» /
/ gelcLlVXcXIl/
2 -
(ia alf 1 A -i Vi vnnVi mnii Vi wai Ti q a lr
yJa.CLJ\±.*S ±11 j eLUIl D1UUU WcLX LJcLcln,
chl a?
O •
/ nijogan/
6
u •
NT i/ifffln vanVi mrMiVi urn~i naaV
HXjUgcxn j a mi iuuu.il WcLX pcLcltv
che a?
rj
/ 30011111/
J obihn yauh mouh wai paak
che a?
8.
/yauhbihn/
8.
Yauhbihn yauh mouh wai
paak che a?
15. Response Drill:
+ Ex: T: Neih slk mhsik
ia chl a?
/mhsik/
S: Ngoh mhsik ja che.
1. Bingo gaau neih ja che ga?
/Hoh Saang/
2. Heunggong yauh mouh hohkhaauh
gaau ja che ga?
/dak gei gaan. . .ge ja/
3. Neih hai blndouh hohk ja che
ga? /Gauluhng/
Nl tluh gaai ho mhhoyih hohk
ja che ga? /mhhoyih bo/++
Is this a street that you
can learn to drive on?
5. Neih jungyi ja bin gwok ge che 5. Ngoh jungyi ja Meihgwok che.
a? /Meihgwok che/
Which country's cars do you
like to drive?
6. Neih jung mh jungyi ja che a? 6. Ngoh mhhaih gei jungyi ja
/mhhaih gei jungyi ge ja/ che ge ja.
♦+ Access to some streets in Hong Kong is prohibited to learner
drivers.
Do you know how to drive?
[ drive car ] /not know how/
I don't know how to drive.
1. Hoh Saang gaau ngoh ja che
ge.
2. Heunggong dak gei gaan
hohkhaauh gaau ja che
ge ja.
3. Ngoh hai Gauluhng hohk ja
che ge.
k. Nl tiuh_gaai mhhoyih hohk
ja che bo.
30k
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
16. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: fthgoi neih, faaidl T:
15 i /Ja/
S: fthgoi neih ja faaidl S:
la!
1. fthgoi neih, maahndl lai /gong/
2. fthgoi neih, faaidl lai /haahng/
3. fthgoi neih, cheuhngdl lai
/jouh/
Longer please, (said to a
tailor)
k. fthgoi neih, dyundl lii /jouh/
5. fthgoi neih, pehngdl lai /maaih/
Cheaperl (said to shopkeeper)
6. fthgoi neih, daaihdl lai /jouh/
7. fthgoi neih, faaidl ill /se/
8. fthgoi neih, saidl lai /se/
9. fthgoi neih, futdl la. /jouh/
Wider please, (said to a
tailor)
10. fthgoi neih, jaakdl la. /jouh/
A bit narrower, please.
Faster please, /drive/
Please drive faster.
1. fthgoi neih gong maahndl la!
2. fthgoi neih haahng faaidl lai
3. fthgoi neih jouh cheuhngdl
lSi
Make it longer please.
k. fthgoi neih jouh dyundl lai
5. fthgoi neih maaih pehngdl la!
Sell it cheaper!
6. fthgoi neih jouh daaihdl la!
7. fthgoi neih se faaidl lai
8. fthgoi neih se saidl lai
9. fthgoi neih jouh futdl lai
Please make (it) a bit
wider.
10. fthgoi neih jouh jaakdl la!
Please make (it) a bit
narrower.
17. Classroom Conversation Drill: Teacher asks, students answer,
giving their actual Cantonese names. Students should learn to
react appropriately to the different questions.
1. Gwaising a? (polite) 1. Siu sing Surname , or
Ngoh sing .
2. Sing meyeh a? (ordinary) 2. Ngoh sing Surname.
3.
Gwaisin/?mihnfc a? (polite)
3.
Surname
Given
name
Tour family name and Riven
name?
k.
Meyeh meng a?
k.
Surname
Given
name.
5.
Neih giu meyeh meng a?
5.
Surname
Given
name
6.
Neih meyeh meng a?
6.
Surname
Given
name
Comment: The response to #*t meyeh meng a ? may be simply the
given name if the surname is not in question.
305
LBSSOH 15 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Comment: An expanded form of the responses to #3-6 is:
Ngoh sing giu(jouh)
IV. CONVERSATIONS FOR LISTENING
(On tape. Refer to wordlist below as you listen.)
Unfamiliar terms, in order of occurrence:
1) yatjan = in a little while
2) dlksi = taxi
3) gaaihau = intersection [street-mouth]
k) hou chlh = very likely most likely ...
5) Eil = mild exclamation
6) gwojo la = here: we've overshot it, we've passed it.
gwo = pass by
7) sai = drive
V. SAY IT IN CANTONESE
A. Say to the classmate next to
you:
1. Could you please tell me
which building is the
Wing On Company?
2. What's the name of this
street?
3. Is this Nathan Road?
k. Here it isl Please stop here,
(as if said to taxi-driver)
5. Is it OK to park here?
6. What street is your school
on?
7. Can you drive a car?
8. Turn right just beyond the
library.
306
B. And he responds:
1. It's that one on the right
hand side.
2. This is Queens Road Central.
3. No — Nathan Road is on the
Kowloon side.
h. It's not permitted to stop
here — a little further
down it's OK to stop.
5. No. Go in there to the
right — there's a place
inside to park.
6. I forget the name of the
street —
7. Yes, I can — do you want me
to teach you to drive?
8. You can't turn in to the
right on that street.
Should I stop here?
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LKSSON 13
9. Is that the Mandarin Hotel 9. No, that building is the
there on the right? Hilton Hotel.
Vocabulary Checklist for Lesson 13
1.
dan r>Vi aak
n :
2.
di uh tauh
VO J
turn (a car) around [reverse head]
j •
clou
v :
arrive
z*.
x nan j j nil voi un
turn (the car) around and cm bark rrptnrn- turn
head]
cr a a -4
6 ttttA
n :
fltreftt
c
0 .
b 1u v joun;
v 1
lb (^allcu f IB iiallltJU
7.
gwaisingmihng?
Ph:
what is your surname and given name? (polite)
8.
gwo
v:
pass by (a point) ; cross (a street) ; go over
to (a place)
9.
gwodi
rfl :
ceyona; a little iartner on
1U«
uwoai tin*
PVi •
uo iur^ner on , rveep going v saia 10 taxi ariver y
J- J- •
naanng
V I
go j walK f Ux lvc
noyin
auxV ;
Calif as \ x ) 05 permi 1 tea f aiioieu iO{ \t/ dg
willing to
ja che
VO t
to ux lvc a uai
jaun
n T7 •
tX<JL V ■
"1 mmp (\ ^ a +■ a T v «onn * a a r> 1 oiiqa rnnnpr tnr — +■ Vi *n •
and
15.
jihk
bf:
straight
16.
jS
bf :
left (direction)
17.
jobihn
PW:
left side
18.
josaubihn
PW:
lefthand side
19.
jyun
v:
turn
20.
la
ss:
ae sen. suf. to imperative sentence, gives
connotation of friendly advice
21.
meng
n:
name; given name
22.
paak (che)
v(o):
park a car
23.
tanhauh
v:
back (a car) up, move back
2k.
tihng
v: '
stop
25.
wii
n:
place, seat
26.
WlhngCn Gungsl
PW:
Wing On Department Store
27.
yahp
bf:
enter
307
LESSON 15
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
28. yahpbihn
29. yahpheui
30. yatjihk
31 . yauh
32. yauhbihn
33 . yauhsaubihn
PW: inside
v: go in; enter
adv: straight a) direction
b) without being diverted: straight-
away
bf: right (direction)
PW: right side
PW: right hand side
308
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LESSON Hf
I. BASIC CONVERSATION
A. Buildup I
(A Hong Kong native and a foreign friend
hare lunch in a Chinese restaurant:)
Bundeihyahn
fogei waiter
At Fogei t Waiter!
choipaai menu, bill of fare
ning carry
ningliih; ningheui bring; take
ning go choipaai liih la bring the food list pleaae
ning go choipaai liih bei please bring ae a aenu
ngoh la
taihah hare a look
bei ngoh taihah la pleaae let ae hare a look
fthgoi neih ning go choipaai Please bring ae a aenu to
liih bei ngoh taihah la. have a look at.
Fogei
Hou aak, Jauh liih. Yes sir; coaing right away,
ngoihgwokyiha foreigner
Nftoihgeokyihn
dia order (food from a list)
ehoi food, dishes
Ngoh ihalk dia choi ga. I don't know how to order food,
gaaiaiuh recomaend, introduce
fthgoi neih gaaisiuhhah la. Please make a recommendation.
Bundeihyahn
Qan, dang ngoh dia la. Wall then, I'll choose,
yuhjyu suckling pig
gwo verb-auffix: indicates
experience; to have done
something before,
neih not yet
sihkgwo aeih? have (yon) eaten (it)
before?
309
LESSOR Ik CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
question for aula: Vtrbtd
before, or not yet?
Neih sihkgwo ytihjyu aeih a? Hat* you ewer eaten roast
suckling pig?
Ngoihgwokyahn
Meih a. Mot yet.
yat chi dou aeih ••• not yet ewen ona tiaa
Tat chi dou aeih sihkgwo. I haven't eaten it even onca.
Bundeihyahn
hou aa? OK?
■a? sen* suf. which uakes a
question of the sentence
it is attached to.
Sihah la, hou aa? Let's try it, OK?
Wgoihgwokyahn
Hon a. Fine.
Bundeihyahn
ha shrlap
yikwaahk? ... or . . . ?
Neih jungyi sink ha yikwaahk Do you like to eat shriap, or
aihk yu ne? eat fish?
Mnoihitwokyahn
Sihdaahn la. As you wish, i.e.. Either one.
jungyi aihk ha like to eat shrlap
douhaih jungyi aihk ha really like to eat shriap
batgwo howeyer, but, although
Batgwo ngoh douhaih jungyi Although I really like shriap.
sihk ha. (i.e., I really like shriap
better.)
juhng still, in addition, also
(preoedes verbal expres-
sion)
juhng oi dl aeyeh a? also want soae what?
juhng seang oi dl aeyeh a? also want to hawe aoaa what?
310
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON Ik
Ngohdeih juhng seung oi dl What else do we want to bar*?
meyeh a?
Bundeihyahn
tong soup
Juhng seung oi go tong tin. In addition let's hare a soup
too.
(Later the local resident calls the waiter againt)
Bundeihyahn
-do- additional; another; more
(precedes Measure expres-
sion)
bei do ji bejau ngoh give me another bottle of
beer
-do leuhng ji bejau two more bottles of beer
Fogeil Bei do leuhng ji bejau Waiterl Please give us two
ngohdeih tim la. more bottles of beer.
Ngoihgwokyahn
mhcho good [not wrong]
Dl yuhjyu janhaih mhcho. The suckling pig is really good.
Bundeihyahn
dodl more
Sihk dodl la I Have some morel
Nfioihgwokyahn
dojeh thank you (for the gift)
Oau laak. Dojehsaai. I've had plenty. Thanks a lot.
Bundeihyahn
maaihdaan check please 1 [together-
list]
Fogeil Maaihdaan I Waiterl The check please 1
B. Recapitulation;
(A Hong Kong native and a foreign friend
have lunch in a Chinese restaurant:)
Bundeihyahja
A I Fogeil Waiterl
311
LESSON lk CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
flhgoi neih ning go choipaai Please bring me a menu to bare
lain bei agon taihah la. a look at.
Fogei
Hou aak, Jauh lain. Yea air, coming right away.
Hgoihgwokyahn
Ngoh mhslk dim choi ga. Ahgoi I don* t know how to order food,
neih gaaiaiuhhah la. Please make a recommendation.
Bundeihyahn
aim, dang ngoh dim la. Well then, I'll choose.
Neih aihkgwo yunjyu meih a? Have you aver eaten roast
suckling pig?
Ngoihgwokyaha
Meih a — yat chi dou meih Not yet — I've not eaten it
sihkgwo. even once.
Bundeihyahn
Sihih la, hou ma? Let's try it, OK?
Ngoihgwokyaha
Hou a. Fine.
Bundeihyahn
Neih jungyi aihk ha yikwaahk Do you prefer shrimp, or fiah?
aihk yu ne?
Ngoihgwokyaha
Sihdaahn la. As you wish, i.e.. Either one.
Batgwo ngoh douhaih jungyi Although I really like shrimp,
aihk hi. (i.e., I really like shrimp
better.)
Ngohdeih juhng seung oi dl What else do wa want to have?
aeyeb a?
Bundeihyahn
Juhng seung oi go ting tim. In addition, let's have a
soup, too.
(Later the Hong Kong native calls the waiter again:)
Fogeit Bei do leuhng ji Waiterl Please give us two
bejau ngohdeih tim la. more bottles of beer.
312
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON Ik
Ngoihgwokyahn
Dl yfihJyS Janhaih ahcho.
The suckling pig is really
good I
Bundeihyahn
Sibk d5dl lSl
Have some morel
Nfioihfiwokyahn
Qau laak. Dojehaaai.
I've had plenty. Thanks a lot*
Bundeihyahn
Fogeil Maaihdaan!
Waiter. The cheek please.
II. NOTES
A. Culture notes
1. StyleB of cooking Chinese food .
Different areas of China have different styles of cooking and
different specialties, making use of the foods particular to each
area. For an interesting discussion of the hows and whats of
Chinese food, see How to Cook and Eat in Chinese , by Buwei Yang
Chao, (NY: John Day, 19^9)
2. choi . 'a dish (of food),' 'food'.
The Chinese style of informal eating is for each person to
have a bowl of rice (if it's in the South — in the North they eat
bread more) for himself, and for there to be several dishes on the
table which are communal property for everyone to eat from. The
eater uses his chopsticks or a spoon to take food from the center
dishes. The center dishes are called choi .
A choi can be a fish dish, a meat dish, or a vegetable dish,
choi is also the general term for 'vegetable. 1 Finally, choi may
mean 'cooking style,' or 'food,' as in Seuhnghoi choi , 'Shanghai
cooking,' 'Shanghai food'; Jungchoi 'Chinese cooking,' 'Chinese
food.'
(In this book we use the term Jungchoi as the general term
for Chinese food. There is another term sometimes used having
the same meaning: Tohngchoi = Chinese food.)
313
LESSON Ik CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
3. choipaai and choidaan , 'menu'
choipaai , 'menu,' 'bill of fare,' is the list you choose from
in a restaurant.
choidaan , 'menu' is the written-down account of a particular
meal.
B. Structure Notes:
1. directional verb compounds. Ex: nlnglaih, 'bring (something) here;
and ningheui, 'take (something) there'
a. Directional verbs use -laih and -heui as suffixes to indicate
direction towards and away from the speaker (or other point
of reference).
Ex: ning carry
ninglaih carry towards the speaker — i.e., bring here
ningheui carry away from the speaker — i.e., take there
We give the directional verb plus the heui/laih suffix
the name directional verb compound.
b. The noun object of a directional verb compound comes between
the verb and the suffix. In the absence of a noun object, the
verb and suffix come together, since a pronoun object is not
stated:
Ex: A: Ning ji bejau laih Please bring a bottle of beer,
la.
B: Hou, jauh ninglaih. Right — bringing it right away.
(See BC and Drills 1.?, 10 )
c. Another way of forming sentences with directional verb compounds
is to put the logical object of the verb into subject position.
Ex: Dl beja yihging ning- The beer (I've) already
laih laak. brought.
2. gwo 'pass,' used as verb suffix
gwo , a verb with the basic meaning 'pass,' 'pass by,' 'pass
through,' is used as a verb suffix indicating 'have passed through
(experienced)' the action expressed by the verb.
Ex: sihkgwo , 'pass through the experience of eating,'
'have eaten,' 'ate.'
(See BC and Drills 7. 8, 9. 13 )
31k
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON lk
3. meih 'not yet.'
The negative meih 'not yet' precedes the verb in a negative
sentence. In a choice question, it follows the verb:
Ex: 1. Meih sihkgwo. (I) haven't had the experience
of eating (it).
2. Sihkgwo meih? Have (you) had the experience
of eating (this)?
(See BC and Drills 3. 8, 9. 13 )
meih 'not yet,' indicates that the action expressed by the
verb is one which the speaker contemplates doing — 'I haven't eaten
it y^t,' (but I'd like to.)
*t. meyeh , ( matyeh ) as mass noun.
meyeh functions as a mass noun, in taking the mass measure dl:
Ex: dl meyeh? Some what?
Sihk dx meyeh a? What will you have to eat?
[eat-a little-what?]
3. . .., yikwaahk. = ' , or ?'
yikwaahk 'or' can be called an interrogative conjunction. It
connects two verb phrases, indicating: or which one?
Ex: Neih jungyi sihk ha,_ Which do you prefer, to eat
yikwaahk sihk yu ne? shrimp, or to eat fish? or
Do you want shrimp, or would
you rather have fish?
(See BC and Drills 2, 3 )
The English possibility of:
A: Do you want coffee or tea?
B: No thanks.
is not covered by yiKwaahk . In Chinese you would have to rephrase
the sentence to say something like 'Would you like something to
drink? We have coffee and tea.'
6. douhaih 'really'
In the following sentence taken from the Basic Conversation,
Batgwo ngoh douhaih Although I really like shrimp,
jungyi sihk ha.
douhaih is said with very light stress, and has very little
content meaning. It serves as an intonation marker, lightening an other-
wise blunt statement. The same function is served by 'really' in
the English translation. The situation is: you'd rather have shrimp
than fish but you don't want to insist upon it.
315
LESSOff Ik CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
7. sentence suffix ma ?
ma ? is an interrogative sentence suffix which makes a question
of the affirmative or negative sentence it attaches to. It is not
used with a sentence which is already in question form — i.e., it
is not used with choice-type and question-word questions.
(See BC)
8. sentence suffix a
In the Basic Conversation there is the following exchange:
A: Sihah la, hou ma? Let's try it, OK?
B: Hou a. Fine.
The raised intonation on the final a expresses liveliness.
(See BC)
9. .juhng 'still,* 'in addition,' 'also'
juhng is an adverb which positions before a verb.
Ex: 1. Juhng seung oi dl Also think you want some what?
meyeh a? i.e. What else would you
like to have?
2. Juhng seung oi dl We also think we want some soup
t6ng tim. too.
(See BC and Drills 6.11 )
10. do 'additional;' 'more'
do with the above meanings is bound to a following number-
measure phrase. '<Vhen the number is yat 'one,' the number part may
be omitted. Before mass nouns the measure dl follows do, with
the number yat omitted.
Ex: 1. do (yat)di another bottle, one more bottle,
an additional bottle
2. do leuhng go two more, an additional two
3. do (yat) dl tong more soup, additional soup
(See BC and Drils 1.3. 1.**. 5. 10 )
11. batgwo however, but, although
batgwo is a conjunction joining two clauses. Its sentence
position is first word in the second clause.
Ex: Yu tuhng ha dou h6u Fish and shrimp are both good —
housihk, batgwo but I really prefer shrimp,
ngoh douhaih
jungyi sihk ha.
316
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON Ik
III. DRILLS
1. Expansion Drill
♦ 1. a. Wun
b. Wun tong.
c. Yam win tong.
d. Yam wun tong la.
e. Yam do wun tong la.
f. Yam dodl tong la.
Comment: In this group of sentences
Measure, wun may also be
saam jek wun . '3 bowls.'
bowls . ' )
+ 2. a. Bui
b. Bui chah
c. Bei bui chah
ngoh la.
d. fthgoi neih bei bui chah
ngoh la.
a. bowl
b. bowl of soup
c. have a bowl of soup
d. Please have a bowl of soup.
e. Have another bowl of soup.
f. Have some more soup.
wun , 'bowl' is used as a
used as a Noun, as in
(also saam go wun . '3
cupful
a cup of tea
Please give me a cup of tea.
a.
b.
c.
d. Please give me a cup of tea.
+ 3. a.
b.
c. Ning
d. Ning do
Bui .
Jek bui.
jek bui laih.
jek bui laih.
e. Ning do leuhng jek bui laih.
f. Ning do leuhng jek bui laih
tim.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
+ k. a.
Baahk faahn.
b. Wun baahk faahn. b.
c. Bei wun baahk faahn ngoh. d.
d. Bei do wun baahk faahn ngoh. d.
e. fthgoi neih _e.
bei do wun baahk faahn ngoh la.
+ 5« a* Chaau mihn a.
b. Sink chaau mihn b.
c. Jungyi sink chaau mihn c.
d. Jungyi sihk cha.au mihn d.
♦ yikwaahk tong mihn a?
cup
a cup
Bring a cup.
Bring another cup.
Bring two more cups.
Bring two more cups too.
white rice ,
(i.e. plain boiled or
steamed rice)
a bowl of rice.
Give me a bowl of rice.
Give me another bowl of rice.
Please
give me another bowl of rice.
fried noodles
eat fried noodles
like to eat fried noodles
like to eat fried noodles or
soup noodles ?
317
LESfSOB lh CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
e. Neih jungyi sihk chaau mihn e. Would you like to eat fried
yikwaahk tong mihn a? noodles or aoup noodles?
2. Transformation Drill
Ex: T: Neih yam matyeh a? T:
/chah/gafe/
S: Neih yam chah yik- S:
waahk gafe ne?
1. Neih yam matyeh a?
/heiseui/be jau/
2. Neih oi matyeh a?
/ j yuyuhk/ngauhyuhk/
3. Neih heui bxndouh a?
/Jungwaahn/Gauluhng/
k. Neih van bingo a?
/Hoh Saang/Hoh Taai/
+ 5. Neih Jungyi blndl a?
/chaau faahn/ chaau mihn/
( chaau f aabn =
fried rice )
6. Neih jungyi bind! a?
+ /Seuhnghol choi/Gwongdung
choi/
( /Shanghai food/Cantonese
food/)
7. Neih jungyi bind! a?
/Jung choi/Saichaan/
( 7chinese food/Western food/ )
What will you have to drink?
/tea/coffee/
Would you like tea, or coffee?
(i.e., Which would you like,
tea or coffee?)
1. Neih yam heiseui yikwaahk
be jau a?
2. Neihoi jyuyuhk yikwaahk
ngauhyuhk a?
3. Neih heui Jungwaahn yikwaahk
Gauluhng a?
k. Neih wan Hoh Saang yikwaahk
Hoh Taai a?
5. Neih jungyi chaau faahn
yikwaahk chaau mihn a?
Would you prefer fried
rice, or fried noodles?
6. Neih jungyi Seuhnghol choi
yikwaahk Gwongdung choi ne?
Would you prefer Shanghai
food or Cantonese food?
7. Neih jungji Jung choi yik-
waahk Saichaan ne?
Would you prefer Chinese
food, or Western food?
318
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Ik
3. Response Drill
Ex: T: /chaau faahn/ chaau
mihn/
T: /fried rice/fried noodles/
SI: Neih jungyi sihk chaau SI: Do you want to have fried rice,
faahn yihwaahk sihk or fried noodles,
chaau mihn a?
S2: Sihdaahn la . Chaau
faahn tuhng chaau
mihn dou dak.
!• /jyuyuhk/ngauhyuhk/
2. /Jungchoi/Saichaan/
3. /Seuhnghoi choi/Gwc-ngdung
choi/
k. /ngauhnaaih/heiseui/
5. /chah/gafe/
S2: Either one. Fried rice and fried
noodles are both fine.
1. SI: Neih jungyi sihk jyuyuhk
yikwaahk ngauhyuhk a?
S2: Sihdaahn la. Jyuyuhk tuhng
ngauhyuhk dou dak.
2. SI: Neih jungyi sihk Jiingchoi
yikwaahk Saichaan a?
S2: Sihdaahn la. Jungchoi tuhng
Saichaan dou dak.
3. SI: Neih jungyi sihk Seuhnghoi
choi yikwaahk Gwongdung
choi a?
S2: Sihdaahn la. Seuhnghoi choi
tuhng Gwongdung choi dou
dak.
k. SI: Neih jungyi yam ngauhnaaih
yikwaahk heiseui a?
S2: Sihdaahn la. Ngauhnaaih
tuhng heiseui dou dak.
5. SI: Neih jungyi yam chah
yikwaahk gafe a?
S2: Sihdaahn la. Chah tuhng
gafe dou dak.
k. Expension Drill
Ex: T: /ji bejau/
S: Bei ji bejau ngoh la.
1. /ji heiseui/
+ 2. /jek_gang/
( a spoon )
3. /bui chah/
k. /bui gafe/
5. /go chaau mihn/
6. /go chaau faahn/
: /a bottle of beer/
: Give me a bottle of beer.
1. Bei ji heiseui ngoh la.
2. Bei jek gang ngoh la.
Please give me a spoon.
3. Bei bui chah ngoh la.
1 f. Bei bui gafe ngoh la.
5. Bei go chaau mihn ngoh la.
6. Bei go chaau faahn ngoh la.
319
LESSON ]A CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
7. /go tong mihn/ 7. Bei go tong mihn ngoh la.
8. /wun baahk faahn/ 8. Bei wun baahk faahn ngoh la.
9. /wun tong mihn/ 9. Bei wun tong mihn ngoh la.
10. /tiuh kwahn/ 10. Bei tiuh kwahn ngoh la.
11. /jek jiu/ 11. Bei jek jlu ngoh la.
Comment: The sentences in the right hand column are appropriate
said by a diner in a restaurant to a waiter.
Note that tong mihn may be either go tong mihn . 'an
order of soup noodles' (see #7) or wun tong mihn .
•a bowl of soup noodles' (see #9).
5. Expansion Drill: Expand the sentences by adding do .
Give me a pack of cigarettes.
Ex: 1. T: Bei baau ylnjai T:
ngoh lal
S: Bei do baau yln- S:
jai ngoh lai
2. T: Bei_leuhng gihn T:
seutsaam ngoh
lal
Give me another pack of
cigarettes.
Give me two shirts.
S: Bei do leuhng gihn S: Give me two more shirts,
seutsaam ngoh lai
+ 1. Bei deui faaiji ngoh lal
( chopsticks )
1. Bei do deui faaiji ngoh lal
Please give me another
pair of chopsticks.
2. Bei go tong ngoh lai 2. Bei do go tong ngoh lai
3. Bei ba je ngoh lai 3. Bei do ba je ngoh lai
1+. Bei jek gang ngoh lal ^. Bei do jek gang ngoh lal
5. Bei leuhng baau yln jai ngoh lal 5. Bei do leuhng baau yln jai
ngoh lal
6. Substitution Drill: Repeat the first sentence after the teacher,
then substitute as directed.
1. Juhng seung yiu dl meyeh ne? 1. Juhng seung yiu dl meyeh
What else" do you want? ne?
2. /yam/ 2. Juhng seung yam dl meyeh ne?
3. /sihk/ 3. Juhng Beung sihk dl meyeh
ne?
320
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON ik
«*. /oi/
5. /si/
6. /lo/
7. /maaih/
1 f. Juhng seung oi dl raeyeh ne?
5. Juhng seung si dl meyeh ne?
What else would you like
to try? (in restaurant,
ordering food)
6. Juhng seung lo dl meyeh ne?
What else do you want to
get?
7. Juhng seung maaih dl meyeh
ne?
7. Response Drill
Ex: T: Neih jeukgwo nl jung T: Have you worn this kind of
yuhlau meih a?
/nod/
raincoat before? /nod/
S: Jeukgwo.
Yes.
T: Neih jeukgwo go deui T: Have you worn that pair of
haaih meih a?
/shake/
shoes yet?
S: Meih. S:
No
, not yet
1.
Neih sihkgwo ha meih a?
/shake/
1.
Meih.
2.
Neih yamgwo nl jung bejau
meih a? /nod/
2.
Yamgwo.
3.
Neih laihgwo Heunggong meih
a? /shake/
3.
Meih.
k.
Neih heuigwo Meihgwok meih
a? /nod/
k.
Heuigwo.
5.
Neih jyuhgwo Gauluhng meih a?
/shake/
5.
Meih.
6.
Neih yuhnggwo faaiji meih a?
/shake/
6.
Meih.
7.
Neih yamgwo nl dl tSng meih
a? /shake/
7.
Meih.
+ 8.
Neih jouhgwo nl dl yeh meih a?
/nod/
8.
Jouhgwo.
Have you done this kind of work
before?
( .1 ouh yeh =
do chores ; have a job )
321
LESSON 14 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
8. Transformation Drill
Ex: T: Ngoh sihkgwo chaau
mihn.
S: Ngoh meih sihkgwo chaau
mihn.
1.
Ngoh
jagwo che .
2.
Ngoh
heuigwo Meihgwok.
3.
Ngoh
jyuhgwo Gauluhng.
k.
Ngoh
yamgwo nl jung bejau.
5.
Ngoh
yuhnggwo faaijl.
+ 6.
Ngoh
laihgwo nl gaan jauga.
( Chinese style restaurant )
I've eaten fried noodles before.
I've never eaten fried noodles
before.
1. Ngoh meih jagwo che.
2. Ngoh meih heuigwo Meihgwok.
3. Ngoh meih jyuhgwo Gauluhng.
k. Ngoh meih yamgwo nl jung
bejau.
5. Ngoh meih yuhnggwo faaijl.
6. Ngoh meih laihgwo nl gaan
jauga.
9. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Ngoh meih sihkgwo ha.
S: Ngoh meih sihkgwo ha,
neih sihkgwo meih a?
1. Ngoh meih sihkgwo yuhjyu.
2. Ngoh meih yamgwo nl jung tdng.
3. Ngoh meih sihkgwo go jung
ylnjai.
k. Ngoh meih heuigwo go gaan
jauga.
3. Ngoh meih dimgwo nl jung choi.
I've never eaten prawns.
I've never eaten prawns; have
you?
1. Ngoh meih sihkgwo yuhjyu.
Neih sihkgwo meih a?
2. Ngoh meih yamgwo nl jung
tong. Neih yamgwo meih a?
3. Ngoh meih sihkgwo go jung
ylnjai. Neih sihkgwo
meih a?
k, Ngoh meih heuigwo go gaan
jauga. Neih heuigwo
meih a?
5. Ngoh meih dimgwo nl jung
choi. Neih dimgwo meih a?
322
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON Ik
10. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: fthgoi neih ning ji Please bring a bottle of beer,
bejau lain.
S: fthgoi neih ning do ji Please bring another bottle of
bejau lain.
beer.
X •
fthgoi neih ning
lain.
deui faaiji
i
j. .
faaiji laih.
do
uO
d6ui.
2.
fthgoi neih ning
jek gang laih.
2.
fthgoi neih ning
laih.
do
jek gang
3.
fthgoi neih ning
jek bui laih.
3.
fthgoi neih ning
laih.
do
jek bui
+ 4.
fthgoi neih ning
/small bowl/
go wuajai laih.
k.
fthgoi neih ning
jai laih.
do
go wun-
+ 5.
fthgoi neih ning jek seui bui
lain, /water glass/
5.
fthgoi neih ning
bui laih.
do
jek seui
a. Repeat, teacher giving cue only, students responding with
sentences in left hand column, thus:
T: ji bejau
S: fthgoi neih ning ji bejau laih.
11. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Neih sihksaai dl ha
meih a?
S: Sihksaai laak, ngoh
juhng seung yiu dl
tim.
1. Neih sihksaai dl yu meih a?
2. Neih sihksaai dl c ha.au faahn
meih a?
3. Neih yam saai dl chah meih a?
*+. Neih yuhngsaai di chin meih a?
3. Neih sihksaai dl chaau mihn
meih a?
6. Neih yamsaai dl tong meih a?
Have you eaten up all the
shrimp
I've eaten (them all) up, and
I still want some more,
[in addition, want to have
some more]
1. Sihksaai laak, ngoh juhng
seung yiu dl tim.
2. Sihksaai laak, ngoh juhng
seung yiu dl tim.
3. Yam saai laak, ngoh juhng
seung yiu dl tim.
k. Yuhngsaai laak, ngoh juhng
seung yiu dl tim.
3* Sihksaai laak, ngoh
juhng seung yiu dl tim.
6. Yamsaai laak, ngoh juhng
seung yiu dl tim.
323
LESSON Ik CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
12. Response Drill
Ex: T: Yu tuhng ha, neih T:
+ jungyi bin yeuhng
a? ( type, kind )
S: Yu tuhng ha, ngoh S:
leuhng yeuhng dou
jungyi.
1. Jungchoi tuhng Saichaan, neih
jungyi bin yeuhng a?
2. Gwongdung choi tuhng SeuhnghSi
choi, neih jungyi bin yeuhng
a?
3. Chaau mihn tuhng t6ng mihn,
neih jungyi bin yeuhng a?
k. Chaau faahn tuhng baahk faahn,
neih jungyi bin yeuhng a?
+ 5. Junggwok ohoi tuhng Yahtbun
choi . neih jungyi bin yeuhng
( Chinese food )
(J apanese food )
Which do you like better, fish
or prawns? [fish and prawns,
you like which kind more?]
Fish and prawns, I like both.
1. Jungchoi tuhng Saichaan,
ngoh leuhng yeuhng dou
jungyi.
2. Gwongdung choi tuhng Seuhng-
hoi choi, ngoh leuhng
yeuhng dou jungyi.
3. Chaau mihn tuhng tdng mihn,
ngoh leuhng yeuhng dou
jungyi.
k. Chaau faahn tuhng baahk
faahn, ngoh leuhng yeuhng
dou jungyi.
5. Junggwok choi tuhng Yahtbun
choi, ngoh leuhng yeuhng
dou jungyi.
13. Response Drill
Ex: T: Neih heuigwo geido
chi a?
5: Yat chi dou meih
heuigwo.
T: How many times have you been
there?
S: I've never been even once.
1.
Neih
laihgwo geido chi a?
1.
Yat
chi
dou meih laihgwo.
2.
Neih
yuhnggwo geido chi a?
2.
Ylt
chi
dou meih yuhnggwo.
3.
Neih
heuigwo geido chi a?
3.
Yat
chi
dou meih heuigwo.
k.
Neih
sihkgwo geido chi a?
k.
Ylt
chi
dou meih sihkgwo.
5.
Neih
faangwo SeuhnghSi geido
5.
Yat
chi
dou meih faangwo.
chi a?
32k
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON llf
l'f. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Keuih yauh leuhng
ga cbe.
S: Keuih yauh leuhng S
ga che, daahnhaih
ngoh yat ga dou
mouh.
T: He has two cars.
1. Go go hohkwaang yauh gei ji
yuhnjibat.
2. Keuih yauh leuhng go taaitaai.
3. Keuih yauh leuhng go saudoi.
if. Go go slgii yauh leuhng ga
che.
5. Keuih yauh leuhng go jai.
He has two cars, but I don't
even have one.
1. Go go hohksaang yauh gei jji
yuhnjibat, daahnhaih ngoh
yat ji dou mouh.
2. Keuih yauh leuhng go taai-
taai i daahnhaih ngoh yat
go dou mouh.
3. Keuih yauh leuhng go saudoi,
daahnhaih ngoh yat go dou
mouh.
k. Go go slgei yauh leuhng ga
che , daahnhaih ngoh yat
ga dou mouh.
5. Keuih yauh leuhng go jai,
daahnhaih ngoh yat go
dou mouh.
15. Transformation Drill
Ex: T: Sihk dodi la. T: Have some more.
S: fthhou sihk gam do a. S: Don't eat so much.
1.
J a maahndl la!
1.
fthhou ja gam maahn a.
2.
Dim dodi lai
2.
fthhou dim gam do a.
3.
Sihk dodi lai
3.
fthhou sihk gam do a.
If.
J a faaidl lit
if.
fthhou ja gam faai a.
5.
Haahng faaidl lai
5.
fthhou haahng gam faai a.
6.
Yam dodi lai
6.
fthhou yam gam do a.
7.
Jouh cheuhngdl lai
7.
fthhou jouh gam cheuhng a.
8.
Jouh dyundl la!
8.
fthhou jouh gam dyun a.
325
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
IV. CONVERSATIONS FOR LISTENING
(On tape. Refer to wordlist below as you listen.)
Unfamiliar terms, in order of occurrence:
1) ngaamngaam = just now
2) fong gung = leave work, get off from work
3) yihm guhk gai = salt-roasted chicken
k) gaailaan chaau ngauhyuhk = stir fried beef and broccoli
5) taai - too, excessively
6) sai yeuhng choi tong = watercress soup
7) giu = order, call for (without having to look at a listed
menu)
8) Yeuhngjau chaau faahn = Yangchow fried rice
9) Saiyeuhngchoi tong = watercress soup
10) faai = soon, almost, approaching (preceding a time ex-
pression)
11) yauh meng = famous
12) gu lou yuhk = sweet & sour pork
13) dou yiu sai ge = want both to be small portions
V. SAY IT IN CANTONESE
A. Say to the classmate sitting
next to you:
1. Have you eaten fried noodles
before?
2. Which do you like better,
fried noodles or fried rice?
3. (deciding on a restaurant:)
Which would you prefer—
Shanghai food or Cantonese
food?
k. I don't know how to order —
would you suggest some-
thing?
5. What else sfciall we have?
6. Waiter, would you please
bring tw/0 bottles of beer?
7. Waiter, piLease bring another
glass.
326
B. And he answers:
1. Yes, many times.
2. Fried rice.
3. Either one, I like both.
k. Let's have fried noodles
and a soup, OK?
5. Shall we have some beer?
6. Yes, sir, right away.
7. All right— shall I bring
another bottle of beer?
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LjjSSON 1^
8. Can you use chopsticks?
9. The soup noodles are not badi
10. Have some morel
11. Have you eaten in this
(Western style) restaurant
before?
12. Have you ever eaten roast
suckling pig?
13. Have you drunk up all your
beer?
Ik. Mr. Chan has 10 sons.
15. Don't eat so rauchl
8. No — please show me (intro-
duce) .
9. I think so too.
10. I've had enough, thanks.
11. No, I've never been here
even once.
12. Yes, several times.
13. Yes, and I think I'd like
some more.
1*+. Is that sol I don't even
have one.
15. Don't drink so muchi
Vocabulary Checklist for Lesson lk
1.
baahk faahn
n:
boiled or steamed rice [white rice]
2.
batgwo
cj:
however; but; although
3.
bui
n:
cup, glass
k.
bui
m:
M. for cup, glass
5.
chaau
v:
to toss-fry in small amt of oil, as in
scrambling eggs.
6.
chaau faahn
n:
fried rice
7.
chaau mihn
n:
fried noodles
8.
choi
n:
food; a particular food, a dish
9.
choipaai
n:
menu, bill of fare
10.
dim
v:
to order (food)
11.
do
bf :
additional, as modifier in Noun phrase
12.
dodl
adv:
more (in addition) (follows V)
13.
Dojeh.
Ph:
Thank you. (for a gift)
Ik.
Do jehsaai.
Ph:
Thank you very much.
15.
douhaih
adv:
always, really
16.
faaijl
n:
chopsticks
17.
fogei
n:
waiter in restaurant
18.
gaaisiuh
v:
recommend; introduce
19.
gang
n:
spoon
327
LESSON 14
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
20. -gwo Vsuf:
21. Gwongdung choi n:
22. ha n:
23. Hou ma? Ph:
24. jauga n/PW:
25. jek m:
26. jouh yeh vo:
27. juhng adv:
28. Jungchoi n:
29. Junggwok choi n:
30. ma? ss:
31. Maaihdaanl Ph:
32. meih adv:
33- mhcho Ph:
34. ngoihgwokyahn n:
35- ning v:
36. ning...heui v:
37- ning...laih v:
38. Saichaan n:
39. Seuhnghoi choi n:
kO. seui bui n:
41. Sihdaahn la. Ph:
42. taihah VP:
43. t6ng n:
kk. tong mihn n:
45. win m:
kG. wun n:
ky. wunjai n:
48. Yahtbun choi n:
49. yat chi dou meih... VP:
50. yat..U..d5u .^?Sj.Y. Ph:
51. yeh n:
52. yeuhng m:
indicates experience; to have done something
before
Cantonese food
shrimp
Is that OK?
Chinese style restaurant
M. for spoon
do chores; have a job
still, in addition, also (+ verb)
Chinese food
Chinese food
sen. suf. making a question of the sentence
it attaches to
The check please 1
negative, 'not yet*
good [not-wrong], 'not bad!'
f oreigner ( s)
carry (something)
take, carry off (something)
bring (something) .. .here
Western meal
Shanghai food
water glass
Sither one. No preference. As you wish,
(when offered a choice)
have a look
soup
soup noodles
M. a bowl of...
bowl
small bowl
Japanese food
not even once...
Not even one...; can't V. even one M .
work (as in .jouh yeh ) (with restricted use)
kind, type
328
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE LSSSON ik
53. yikwaahk...? cj: or?
5k. yuhjyu n: roast suckling pig
329
LESSON 15
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
I. BASIC CONVERSATION
A. Buildup ;
China Morning Post
Daaih Douh Jun
I 1
T L,
1
f H-W)
COfU 1
1 H<r /
m 1
1.
Dak Fuh Douh Jung
" m — 11 \r
Wihng
On
) si
Connaught Road
(Mr, long approaches another pedestrian
on the street in front of the South China
Morning Post building on Wyndham Street)
Wohng Saang
dla heui?
dia heui wihng On Gungsl a?
yauh
yauh nldouh
yauh nldouh dla heui wihng
On Gungal a?
Cheng aahn neih, yauh nldouh
dla heui Wihng On Qungsl a?
louhyahn
lohk
Louhyahn
how go?, how (do you) go
(to)?
how do you go to the Wing
Oa Coapany?
froa
froa here
how do you get to the Wing
On Coapany froa here?
Could you please tell ae how
to get to the Wing On
Company fron here?
pedestrian
down
330
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LjLSSON 15
lohkheui
haahng lohkheui
haahng lohkheui Daaih
Doub Jung
haahng lohkheui Daaih
Douh Jung sin
yihn( Ji)hauh
Haahng lohkheui Daaih Douh
Jung ain, yihnhauh jyun jo.
Wohng Saang
Jyun Jo.
Louhyahn
giaialh
Jungwaahn Gaaislh
haahngdou Jungwaahn Oaaislh
-dou
Gas, yatjihk haahngdou
Jungwaahn Gaaislh, jyun yauh.
gwojo gaaislh
Gwojo gaaislh, jauh haih Dak
Fun Douh Jung laak.
mahn yahn la
Heuidou godouh, joi nahn
yahn la.
(Mr. Wong arrives at Wing On and
Wohng Saanff
bouhfahn
go go bouhfahn
aaaih laangsaan go go
bouhfahn
331
go down [down go]
walk down (to)
go down to Queen's Road
Central
first go down to Queen's
Road Central
then, after that
First go down to Queen's Road
Central, then turn left.
Turn left.
food aarket
Central Market
walk to Central Market
verb suf . to verbs of
action indicates arrival
at goal.
Then, go straight till you get
to Central Market, and turn
right.
get past the aarket
When you get past the aarket,
you are on Des Voeux Road
Central,
ask soaeone
When you get there, ask again.
approaches a saleselerk: )
department (in a store)
that departaent
the sweater departaent
[the departaent that
sells sweaters]
LESSON 15
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Maaih laangsaaa go go bouh-
fahn hai blndouh a?
Sauhfoyuhn
sealing
sinhng saam lau
eheag
Cheng seuhng saam lau la.
Where la the sweater
department?
go up
go up to the third floor
(Chinese and American
style of counting; 2nd
floor British style of
counting)
invite; please
Please go up to the second
(or third) floor*
B. Recapitulation :
Wohng Saang
Cheng mahn neih, yauh aldouh Could you please tell me how
dim heui wihng On Gungsl a? to get to the Wing On
Company from here?
Louhyahn
Hiahng lohkheui Daaih Douh First go down to Queen's Road
Jung sin, ylhnhauh jyun jo. Central, then turn left.
Wohng Saang
Jyun jo. Turn left.
Louhyahn
aim. yatjihk haahagdou Then go straight till you get
Jungwaaha Qaaislh, jyun yauh. to Central Market, and turn
right.
Owojo gaaialh, jauh haih Dak When you get past the market.
Fun Douh Jung laak. you are at Des Voeux Road
Central.
Heuidou godouh, joi mahn yahn When you get there, ask again,
la.
(Mr. Wong gets to the store and asks a clerk:)
Wohng Saang
Maaih laangsaaa go go beuhfaha Where is the sweater
hai blndouh a? department?
332
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 15
Sauhfoyuhn
Cheng seuhng saaa lau la I Please go up to the second
floor.
II. NOTES
.1. Paired conjunctions :
...sin, yihnhauh (or yihn.jihauh ) . . . . = 'first..., then....'
This set of paired conjunctions connects two primary clauses in
a sentence of sequential relationship.
Ex: Haahng lohkheui Daaih Douh Go down to Queen's Road
Jung sin, yihnhauh Central first, then turn left,
jyun jo.
(See BC and Drills 10, 11 )
2. Directional verbs .
a. Examples of directional verbs are:
1. seuhng = up
2. lohk = down
3. yahp = in
'+. cheut = out
5. gwo = over, across
b. In Cantonese these words pattern as verbs. They can be preceded by
mh , and form a question on the VmhV pattern.
Ex: A: Neih lohk mhlohk a? Are you going down? (Said at
top of escalator)
B: fihlohk. No, I'm not going down.
c. These directional verbs can be followed by either a placeword
object, or one of the two directional suffixes, -laih and -heui ,
or both.
Ex: 1. Keuih seuhng saara lau. He went up to the 2nd floor.
2. Ngoh dou seuhngheui. I went up too.
3. Keuih seuhng(laih) He came up to the 2nd floor.
saam lau.
1 t. Keuih cheutheui Daaih He went out to Queen's Road
Douh Jung. Central.
(See Drills 13, 1*0
333
LESSON 15
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
d. The directional verbs may combine with a preceding verb of movement,
such as haahng 'walk,' jyun 'turn,' nlng 'carry.'
Ex: 1. Keuih haahng lohk- He walked down to the second
(heui) saam lau. floor.
2. Keuih jyun yahp(heui) He turned into Des Voeux Road
Dak Fuh Douh Jung. Central.
3. fthgoi neih ning Please bring it out.
cheutlaih.
(See Drill 12 )
3. deihha , lauhhah, hahbihn differentiated.
1. deihha simply means 'ground floor.'
2. lauhhah [floor-below] is a pronoun of place whose meaning derives
from position in relationship to another location. If you are on
the 3d floor lauhhah is a floor below the 3d floor. If you are
on the ground floor lauhhah is the basement.
3. hahbihn [below-side] is also a locative whose meaning derives from
position in relationship to another position. It can mean
•downstairs' in relation to upstairs, 'under' something, 'below'
something.
k. Two-part Verb forms: performance and achievement. Chinese verbs are
often in two parts, with the first part telling of the performance
and the second part telling of the achievement. For example:
tai + dou = look + successful = see
wan + dou = search + successful = find
heui + dou = go + arrive = reach (a place)
gwo + jo = pass + accomplish = get past (a place)
cheng + dou = invite + successful = invite (someone) and have
him accept
The second part of these two-part verbs we regard as suffix to the
first part.
5. -dou as verb suffix, indicates reaching the destination or goal.
Sx: 1. heuidou = arrive [go-arrive]
Keuih heuidou godouh,... When he got there,... or
When he gets there,...
2. duhkdou = read to [read-arrive]
Keuih duhkdou sa'ahsei He read to page 3k.
yihp.
(See BC and Drills 3,*0
33«*
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 15
6. -jo verb suffix = accomplish the performance: 'get/got it done'
Ex: GwojS Jungwaahn Gaaihslh, When you get past the Central
jyun jo. Market, turn left.
The -jo indicates that the action of the verb to which it is
attached is viewed from the standpoint of its being accomplished.
Ex: gwojo X = 'accomplish going past X*
(See BC and Drill 9 )
7. daih- = ordinal prefix.
a. daih- prefixed to a number makes it an ordinal number:
Ex: saam fo = 3 lessons
daih saam fo = the 3d lesson
(See Drill 3 )
b. daihyih- is ambiguous.
daihyih- . bound to a following measure, may mean •the second'
•the next'; or 'another, some others Only rarely is there any
mixup in an actual situation.
Ex: 1. daihyih ga che the second car
2. daihyih tiuh gaai the next street, the second
street, (i.e. the first one
after the place you're
talking about)
3. daihyih go gungyahn another servant
daihyih dl gungyahn other servants
In this lesson we practice only the first two meanings.
daihyih as 'other' you will meet in Lesson 16.
8. yauh (and hai ) as 'from ..??..'
yauh (or alternately, hai ) serves as 'from' in the PW phrase:
yauh .?«.. ♦ .Y??b.?f. movement. = go/come/etc. from
Though similar to co-verbs in having an object, yauh differs from
co-verbs in not normally being preceded by mh, but using the verb
haih between mh and itself.
Ex: fthhaih yauh aldouh cheut- Don't exit from here,
heui.
Occasionally you may hear someone say Hhyauh nldouh cheutheui or some
other phrase with mhyauh , but it is not common usage. Therefore we
class yauh (and hai used in this position) not as a co-verb but as a
preposition.
(See BC and Drill 6 )
335
LESSON 1*S
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
9. yihp 'page 1 and fo 'lesson' classed as measures.
Note that in the grammatical sense yihp and fo are measures,
inasmuch as they can follow numbers directly. From the point of
view of having substantive meaning, they are like nouns.
(See Drills 3.** )
10. cheng . . . = invite (someone to do something); Please .Y.
cheng basically means 'invite.' cheng + Verb is used as a polite
imperative:
Ex: Cheng seuhng saam lau. Please go up to the 3d floor
[invite you to go up]
(See BC)
As polite imperative it is only used affirmatively. To say
'Please don't.Y.' with cheng , the negative attaches to the following
verb.
Ex: Cheng mhseuhng saam lau. Please don't go up to the 3d
floor.
336
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 15
III. DRILLS
1. Substitution Drill: Repeat the
then substitute as directed.
1. Keuih hai douh dang neih.
He's waiting for you here.
2. /hauhbihn/
+ 3. /yahpbihn /
+ k. / deihha/
ground floor
+5. /seuhngbihn/
above t upstairs ; on top
[up-side]
+ 6. /hahbihn/
downstairs; below ; under
[down-side]
+ 7. /lauhseuhng/
upstairs [floor-above]
+ 8. /lauhhah/
downstairs [ floor [below]
9. /sei lau/
+10. / cheutbihn /
outside
first sentence after the teacher,
1. Keuih hai douh dang neih.
2. Keuih hai hauhbihn dang neih.
3. Keuih hai yahpbihn dang neih.
He's waiting for you
inside .
k. Keuih hai deihha dang neih.
He's waiting for you on
the ground floor.
5. Keuih hai seuhngbihn dang
neih.
He's waiting for you
upstairs.
6. Keuih hai hahbihn dang neih.
He's waiting for you
downstairs.
7. Keuih hai lauhseuhng dang
neih.
He's waiting for you
upstairs.
8. Keuih hai lauhhah dang neih.
He's waiting for you down-
stairs.
9. Keuih hai sei lau dang neih.
10. Keuih hai cheutbihn dang
neih.
2. Response Drill: Students gesture the directions.
Ex: 1. T: Mahnwah Jaudim
hai chihnbihn,
haih mhhaih a?
/hauhbihn/
S: fthhaih, hai hauh- S: No, it's in the back,
bihn.
2. T: Mahnwah Jaudim
hai chihnbihn,
haih mhhaih a?
/chihnbihn/
T: The Mandarin Hotel is in
front, isn't it?
/behind, in the back/
T: The Mandarin Hotel is in
front, isn't it?
/in front, ahead/
337
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
S: Haih. Hai chihn- S: That's right, it's in front,
bihn.
1. Meihgwok Ngahnhohng hai josau- 1. fthhaih, hai yauhsaubihn.
bihn, haih mhhaih a?
/yauhsaubihn/
2. Neih slnsaang (ge) sejihlauh 2. fthhaih, hai hauhbihn.
hai chihnbihn, haih mhhaih
a? /hauhbihn/
3. Wohng Saang hai cheutbihn, haih 3« Haih, hai cheutbihn.
mhhaih a? /cheutbihn/
k. Leih Taai hai yahpbihn, haih i +. fthhaih, hai chihnbihn.
mhhaih a? /chihnbihn/
5. Tlnslng Mahtauh hai yauhsaubihn, 5» Haih, hai yauhsaubihn.
haih mhhaih a? /yauhsaubihn/
6. Maaih haaih go go bouhfahn hai 6. fthhaih, hai deihha.
yih lau, haih mhhaih a?
/deihha/
7. Maaih syu go go bouhfahn hai ?. fthhaih, hai lauhhah.
lauhseuhng, haih mhhaih a?
/lauhhah/
Comment: Note (#2 above) that ge can be omitted in everyday
speech in modification structure before sejihlauh.
a. Repeat, students taking both parts, teacher
cueing thus:
1. /Mahnwah Jaudim/chihnbihn/hauhbihn/
or 2. /Mahnwah Jaudim/chihnbihn/
3. Expansion Drill
+ 1. a. Yihp
b. sei'ah yihp.
+ c. dunk sei'ah yihp
♦ d. duhkdou sei'ah yihp
♦ e. seuhngchi duhkdou sei'ah yihp
+ f. seuhngchi duhkdou daih sei'ah
yihp
( ordinal number marker .
-st , -nd . -rd , etc.)
g. Ngohdeih seuhngchi duhkdou
daih sei'ah yihp.
1. a. page
b. *t0 pages
c. read ko pages
d. read to page Uo
e. last time read to page
55
f. last time read to the
'tOth page.
Last time we read to
the koth page.
338
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 15
b. gei fo a?
c. daih gei fo a?
d. duhk daih gei fo a?
e. seuhngchi duhk daih gei fo a?
f. Ngohdeih seuhngchi duhk daih
gei fo a?
3. a. daih sahp yihp
♦ b. dahoi bun syu daih 6ahp yihp
c. dahoi bun syu daih sei'ah
saam yihp
d. Dahoi bun syu daih saam baak
sei'ah saam yihp.
2. a. lesson
b. how many lessons?
c. which 1 " th " 1 lesson?
d. read which lesson?
e. last time read which
lesson?
f. What lesson did we do
last time?
3. a. the 10th page
b. open your book to page 10
c. open your books to the
^3rd page (page kj>)
d. Open your books to page
3^3.
h. Response Drill
£x: 1. T: Ngohdeih seuhng- T:
chi duhkdou daih
gei yihp a? /ky
S: Duhkdou daih S:
sei'ahsaara yihp.
2. T: Ngohdeih seuhng- T:
chi duhk daih
gei fo a? /3/
S: Daih saam fo. S:
1. Ngohdeih seuhngchi duhkdou
daih gei yihp a? /86/
2. Ngohdeih seuhngchi duhk daih
gei fo a? /?/
3. Ngohdeih seuhngchi duhk daih
gei fo a? /15/
k. Ngohdeih seuhngchi duhkdou
daih gei yihp a? /25V
5. Ngohdeih seuhngchi duhk daih
gei fo a? /26/
What page did we get to last
time?
We got to page ^3.
What lesson did we do last
time?
We did lesson 3»
1. Duhkdou daih baatsahpluhk
yihp.
2. Daih chat fo.
3. Daih sahpngh fo.
Duhkdou daih yih baak ngh-
sahpsei yihp.
5. Daih yahluhk fo.
339
LESSON 15 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
5. Substitution Drill: Repeat the first sentence after the teacher,
then substitute as directed.
1. Saam lau yauh dl meyeh maaih 1. Saam lau yauh dl meyeh
a? maaih a?
What's for sale on the 2nd
floor? What do they have
(for sale) on the 2nd floor?
2. /sei lau/ 2 - Se i l» u yauh dl meyeh
maaih a?
3. /lauhhah/ 3. Lauhhah yauh dl meyeh maaih
a?
*f. /lauhseuhng/ ^. Lauhseuhng yauh dl meyeh
maaih a?
5. /yahpbihn/ 5. Yahpbihn yauh dl meyeh
maaih a?
6. /seuhngbihn/ 6. Seuhngbihn yauh dl meyeh
maaih a?
7. /hahbihn/ 7. Hahbihn yauh dl meyeh
maaih a?
Comment: Note in #1 and #2 above the absence of ordinalizing
prefix daih in connection with lau . 'floor, story'.
Compare: saam lau = the third floor.
daih saam fo = the third lesson.
daih is not used before numbers when modifying
lau.
6. Substitution Drill: Repeat the first sentence after the teacher,
then substitute as directed.
1. Yauh nldouh, dim heui Tin-
slng Mahtauh a?
How do you get to the Star
Ferry from here?
2. /Mahnwah Jaudim/
3. /Meihgwok NgahnhShng/
k. /Jungwaahn Gaaisih/
5. /Heungg&ng Chaansat/
1. Yauh nldouh, dim heui Tln-
slng Mahtauh a?
2. Yauh nldouh j dim heui
Mahnwah Jaudim a?
3. Yauh nldouh, dim heui
Meihgwok Ngahnhohng a?
k. Yauh nldouh, dim heui
Jungwaahn Gaaisih a?
5. Yauh nldouh, dim heui
Heunggong Chaansat a?
3^0
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 15
Comment: hai is used in place of yauh by some speakers, with
no difference in meaning.
Ex: Hai nldouh, dim heui How do you get to the
Tlnslng Mahtauh a? Star Ferry from here?
or Yauh nldouh, dim
heui Tlnslng Mahtauh
a?
7. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: /wihngOn Gungsl/
S: Cheng mahn neih,_dim
heui V/lhngCn Gung-
sl a?
1. /Junggwok Jauga/
2. /Jungwaahn Gaaisih/
3. /Tlnslng Mahtauh/
*t. /Gauluhng wihngCn Gungsl/
5. /Neihdeun Douh/
T: The WingOn Company
S: Can you please tell me how to
get to the WingOn Company?
1. Cheng mahn neih, dim heui
Junggwok Jauga a?
2. Cheng mahn neih, dim heui
Jungwaahn Gaaisih a?
3. Cheng mahn neih, dim heui
Tlnslng Mahtauh a?
k. Cheng mahn neih, dim heui
Gauluhng V/ihng Cn Gungsl
a?
5. Cheng mahn neih, dim heui
Neihdeun Douh a?
8. Alteration Drill
Ex: T: Gwo saam gaan,
jauh dou laak.
S: Gwo jo daih saam gaan,
jauh dou laak.
+1. Gwo saam go gaaihau , jauh
dou laak.
Pass three intersections
[ street-mouth ] , and there
it is.
2. Gwo yat gaan, jauh haih laak.
3. Gwo saam gaan, jauh jyun jo.
3M
T: Pass three buildings, then
(you) arrive, (i.e., It's
just 3 buildings away.)
S: When you've passed the third
building, then you're there.
1. Gwo jo daih saam go gaaihau,
jauh dou laak.
When you've paBsed the
third intersection, it's
right there.
2. Gwo jo daih yat gaan, jauh
haih laak.
3. Gwo jo daih saam gaan, jauh
jyun jo.
LESSON 15 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
k. Gwo eei go gaaihau, jauh Gwojo daih sei go gaaihau,
jyun yauh. jauh jyun yauh.
5. Gwo leuhng gaan, jauh taidou 5. G WO jjo daih yih gaan, jauh
laak. taidou laak.
6. Gwo saam go gaaihau, jauh tihng 6. Gwo jo daih saam go gaaihau,
la. jauh tihng la.
Comment: - jo may be added to rwq in left hand column, but not
subtracted from right hand. Instead of gwo jo on
right, haahngdou is permissable.
9. Alteration Drill
Ex: T: Gwo jo Meihgwok Jau- T: After you pass the Hilton,
dim, jauh jyun yauh. turn right.
S: Meihgwok Jaudim S: Beyond the Hilton, turn right,
gwodi, jyun yauh.
1.
Gwo jo Jungwaahn Gaaisih, jauh
1.
Jungwaahn Gaaisih gwodl,
jyun yauh.
jyun yauh.
2.
Gwo jo WlhngOn Gungsl, jauh
2.
WlhngOn Gungsl gwodX, jauh
haih laak.
haih laak.
3.
Gwojo Mahnwah Jaudim, jauh
3.
Mahnwah Jaudim gwodl, jyun
jyun jo.
JO.
k.
Gwojo Neihdeun Douh, jauh
k.
Neihdeun Douh gwodl, jauh
haih laak.
haih laak.
5.
Gwojo daih saam go gaaihau,
5.
Daih saam go gaaihau gwodl,
jauh jyun yauh.
jyun yauh.
10. Substitution Drill: Repeat the first sentence after the teacher,
then substitute as directed.
1. Hhgoi neih heui Jungwaahn sin,
yihnhauh heui Gauluhng.
Please go to the Central
District first, and after
that go to Kowloon.
2. /Meihgwok Ngahnhdhng/
/Jungwaahn Gaaisih/
3. /Mahnwah Jaudim/
/WlhngOn Gungsl/
1. Mhgoi neih heui Jungwaahn
sin, yihnhauh heui Gau-
luhng.
2. Mhgoi neih heui Meihgwok
Ngahnhohng sin, yihnhauh
heui Jungwaahn Gaaisih.
3. Mhgoi neih heui Mahnwah
Jaudim sin, yihnhauh heui
WihngCn Gungsl.
3^2
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 15
/Junggwok Jauga/
/Tlnslng Mahtauh/
5. /se jihlauh/faan ukkei/
if. Mhgoi neih heui Junggwok
Jauga sin. yihnhauh heui
Tlnslng Mahtauh.
5. fthgoi neih heui sejihlauh
sin, yihnhauh faan ukkei.
11. Expansion Drill
1. /heui maaih yeh/
/faan hohk/
2. /heui yam chah/faan gung/ 2.
3. /heui taam Wohng Taai/ 3.
/heui wan Leih Siuje/
^. /heui Jungwaahn Gaaislh/ ^.
/faan ukkei/
5. /yam bui chah/ 5-
/cheutheui muhnhau dang keuih/
♦+6. /wuhn saam/da dihnwa giu che/ 6,
/change clothes/phone for
a cab/
Ngoh seung heui maaih yeh
sin, yihnhauh faan hohk.
I think I'll go shopping
first, and after that go
to school.
Ngoh seung heui yam chah
sin, yihnhauh faan gung.
Ngoh seung heui taam Wohng
Taai sin, yihnhauh heui
wan Leih Sluje.
Ngoh seung heui Jungwaahn
Gaaislh sin, yihnhauh
faan ukkei.
Ngoh seung yam bui chah sin,
yihnhauh cheutheui muhnhau
dang keuih.
Ngoh seung wuhn saam sin,
yihnhauh da dihnwa giu
che.
I'll change clothes first,
and after that call for
a cab.
12. Expansion Drill
Ex: 1. I: /deihha/yih lau/
S: Ngoh yauh deihha
haahng seuhng
(heui) yih lau.
T:
S:
2. T: /saam lau/yih lau/ T:
S: Ngoh yauh saam S:
lau haahng lohk
(heui) yih lau.
1. /yih lau/deihha/
/ground floor/lst floor/
I walked from the ground floor
up to the 1st floor.
/2nd floor/lst floor/
I walked from the 2nd floor
down to the 1st floor.
1. Ngoh yauh yih lau haahng
lohk (heui) deihha.
3^3
LESSON 15 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
2.
/saam lau/ngh lau/
2.
Ngoh yauh saam lau haahng
seuhng (heui) ngh lau.
3.
/luhk lau/sei lau/
3.
Ngoh yauh luhk lau haahng
lohk (heui) sei lau.
k.
/chat lau/baat lau/
4.
Ngoh yauh chat lau haahng
seuhng (heui) baat lau.
5.
/baat lau/luhk lau/
5.
Ngoh yauh baat lau haahng
lohk (heui) luhk lau.
13. Expansion Drill: Students should g
Ex: T: Ngoh hai saam lau.
/sei lau/
3: Ngoh hai saam lau,
yihga seuhng sei lau.
1.
Ngoh
hai
yih lau. /saam lau/
2.
Ngoh
hai
saam lau. /yih lau/
3.
Ngoh
hai
deihha. /yih lau/
4.
Ngoh
hai
yih lau. /deihha/
5.
Ngoh
hai
deihha. /sei lau/
iture the directions.
I am on the 2nd floor.
/3rd floor/
I am on the 2nd floor, now
I'm going up to the 3rd
floor.
1. Ngoh hai yih lau, yihga
seuhng saam lau.
2. Ngoh hai saam lau, yihga
lohk yih lau.
3. Ngoh hai deihha, yihga
seuhng yih lau.
4. Ngoh hai yih lau, yihga lohk
deihha.
5. Ngoh hai deihha, yihga
seuhng sei lau.
1^. Expansion Drill
Ex: T: Ngoh hai^Dlkfuh
Douh Jung.
/Wihng On Gungsl/
S: Ngoh hai Dakfuh Douh
Jung, yihga ngoh
yahpheui wihng On
Gungsl dang neih.
1. Ngoh hai Dakfuh Douh Jung.
/Jungwaahn Gaaisih/
am at Des Voeux Road
Central. /Wing On Company/
' m at Des Voeux Road Central,
now I'm going into Wing On
Company to wait for you.
1. Ngoh hai Dakfuh Douh Jung,
yihga ngoh yahpheui
Jungwaahn Gaaisih dang
neih.
3hk
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 15
2. Ngoh hai Wihng On GSngsI.
/Dakfuh Douh Jung/
3. Ngoh hai Meihgwok Ngahnhohng.
/Daaih Douh Jung/
Ngoh hai Daaih Douh Jung.
/Meihgwok Ngahnhohng/
2. Ngoh hai Wihng On Gungsi,
yihga ngoh cheutheui
Dakfuh Douh Jung dang neih.
3. Ngoh hai Meihgwok Ngahnhohng,
yihga ngoh cheutheui Daaih
Douh Jung dang neih.
k. Ngoh hai Daaih Douh Jung,
yihga ngoh yahpheui Meih-
gwok Ngahnhohng dang neih
Response Drill: Do the right hand column of this drill first as a
Listen & Repeat drill, teacher writing picture on blackboard &
pointing to appropriate section as he speaks, students repeating
after him.
Jungwaahn-
Gaaisih
(saanggwo)
fruit
choi
jyuyuhk
ngauhyuhk
vu
■gai
ha j
. saam lau
>yih lau
lauhhah
1. Maaih gai go go bouhfahn hai
blndouh a?
1. Lauhhah josaubihn.
2. Maaih choi go go bouhfahn hai 2. Saam lau yauhsaubihn.
blndouh a?
3. Blndouh yauh pihnggwo tuhng
chaang maaih a?
Blndouh yauh jyuyuhk maaih a?
5. Maaih ha go go bouhfahn hai
blndouh a?
6. Blndouh yauh yu maaih a?
3. Saam lau josaubihn.
k. Yih lau josaubihn.
5« Lauhhah yauhsaubihn.
6. Lauhhah yauhsaubihn.
7. Blndouh yauh ngauhyuhk maaih a? 7. Yih lau yauhsaubihn.
Comment: Central Market has three floors, the lowest of which
is below the level of the street on the Queen's Road
3^5
LESSON 15 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Central 6ide. Thus lauhhah instead of deihha.
16. Response Drill
haaih
bou
fu
laangsaam
blu jung
bat
syu__
gang
bui
wun
seutsaam
maht
yuhlau
sei lau
t saam lau
yih lau
> deihha
Ex:
1. T: Maaih haaih
seuhng gei
lau a?
S: Seuhng sei lau
li.
2. T: Maaih je hai gei T:
lau a?
T: Vihat floor do I go up to
buy shoes?
S : Go up to the 3rd floor.
What floor do you buy umbrellas
on?
5: Hai deihha.
S: On
the ground floor.
1.
Maaih laangsaam seuhng gei
lau a?
1.
Seuhng sei lau la!
2.
Maaih bat seuhng gei lau a?
2.
Seuhng saam lau la!
3-
Maaih je hai gei lau a?
3-
Hai deihha.
k.
Maaih syu hai gei lau a?
k.
Hai saam lau.
5.
Maaih haaih seuhng gei lau a?
5.
Seuhng sei lau la!
6.
Maaih blu seuhng gei lau a?
6.
Seuhng saam lau la!
7-
Maaih seutsaam hai gei lau a?
7.
Hai deihha.
8.
Maaih bou hai gei lau a?
8.
Hai sei lau.
9.
Maaih bui hai gei lau a?
9.
Hai yih lau.
10.
Maaih fu seuhng gei lau a?
3^6
10.
Seuhng sei lau la!
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE lesson 15
11. Maaih maht hai gei lau a?
12. Maaih gang seuhng gei lau a?
13. Maaih wun seuhng gei lau a?
Ik, Maaih yuhlau hai gei lau a?
15. Maaih jung seuhng gei lau a?
11. Hai deihha.
12. Seuhng yih lau lal
13. Seuhng yih lau lal
1^. Hai deihha.
15. Seuhng saam lau lal
IV. CONVERSATIONS FOR LISTENING
(On tape. Refer to wordlist below as you listen.)
Unfamiliar terms, in order of occurrence:
1) yauh yuhng = useful
V. SAY IT IN CANTONESE
A. Say to the classmate sitting
next to you:
1. Where did we read to last
time?
2. v;hat lesson did we read last
time?
3. Could you please tell me how
to get to the Mandarin
Hotel?
k. How do you get to the Central
Market from here?
5. (in a dept store:) Where is
the umbrella department?
6. Where is the shoe department?
7. I'm going down to the ground
floor to buy a raincoat
I'll wait for you there, OK?
8. Turn left just beyond the
library.
9. What's for sale on the kth
floor?
10. Go up to the 3d floor first,
then go down to the 1st floor
3^7
. And he responds:
1. We read to page 300.
2. Lesson l't.
* Go straight, and when you
get to the 3d inter-
section, turn left. Go
two blocks and you'll
be there.
k. Turn left at the next inter-
section and it's two
blocks down.
5. On the ground floor.
6. Go up to the 1st floor.
7. Wait just a sec, and I'll
go with you.
8. You can't turn in there —
I'll stop at the inter-
section, OK?
9. Sweaters and shoes and
fabrics.
10. OK, want to come with me?
LESSON 13 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
11. Could you please tell me how
to get to the Wing On Company
from here?
12. When you get to Queens Road
Central, turn left.
13. Your father is waiting for
you upstairs.
Ik. My glasses are downstairs —
would you go down and get
them for me?
15. Your boy friend is outside
waiting for you.
11. From here you go straight,
after you pass the 2d
intersection, it's the
1st building on the right.
12. Thanks a lot.
13. What does he want, do you
know?
Ik. OK. Downstairs where?
15. Please ask him to come in.
Vocabulary Checklist for Lesson 15
1.
bouhfahn
n:
department (in a store)
2.
cheng. . .
v:
please (+ verb) ; invite
3.
cheut
v :
out
k.
cheutheui
v:
go out
5.
cheutlaih
v:
come out
6.
cheutbihn
PW:
outside, exterior
7.
da dihnwa giu che
VP:
phone for a cab
8.
dahoi
v:
open (as of a book)
9.
daih-
bf :
ordinal number marker: -st, -nd, -rd, -th.
10.
daihyat
Ph:
the first
11.
deihha
PW:
ground, ground floor
12.
-dou
Vsuf :
suffix to verbs of motion, indicating
arrival at goal
13.
duhk
v:
read
Ik.
duhkdou. . .
v:
read to...
15.
fo
m:
lesson
16.
gaaihau
n/PW:
street opening, i.e. intersection
17.
gaaislh
n/PW:
food market
18.
haahng
v:
walk; go
19.
hahbihn
PW:
below; under
20.
hai
prep:
from
3^8
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
LESSON 15
21. -heui Vsuf: attaches to verbs of motion, indicating
direction away from speaker
22. -jo Vsuf: verb suf. indicating 'accomplish the per-
formance'
cy» u ungwaann uasisin
PW •
i • ~ -L Cl -L 11
Vsuf :
direction towards the speaker
25- lauhhah
Pii:
[floor-below] downstairs
26. lauhseuhng
[floor-above] upstairs
27. lohk
v:
descend
28. lohkheui
v:
go down
29. louhyahn
n:
pedestrian
30. seuhng
v :
ascend
31. seuhngbihn
PW :
above ; on top
32. seuhngchi
TV :
last time
33. ...sin, yihnhauh...
PCj:
...first, then...
3^. wuhn saara
VO:
change clothes
35 . yahn
n:
someone
36. yauh
prep:
from
37. yihn(ji)hauh
Cj:
afterwards, then
38. yihp
m:
page
3^9
APPENDIX 1
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
tV. CONVERSATIONS FOR LISTENING
Lesson Two
1. At a party:
Man : Sluje gwaising a?
Woman: Ngoh sing Chihn. Sinsaang gwaiaing a?
Nan : Siusing Hon. Chihn aiuje haih mhhaih Gwongdungyahn a?
Woman: Hhhaih a. Ngoh haih Seuhnghoiyahn. Neih ne? Neih haih mhhaih
Meihgwokyahn a?
Nan : Haih a. Ngoh haih Meihgwokyahn.
2. At the first day of school, students are getting acquainted:
First student: Neih sing asyeh a?
Second student: Ngoh sing Wohng.
First student: Neih pahngyauh ne?
Second student: Keuih dou haih sing Wohng ge.
First student: Neih haih mhhaih Gwongdungyahn a?
Second student: Haih.
First student: Neih pahngyauh haih mhhaih dou haih Gwongdungyahn a?
Second student: Hhhaih a. Keuih haih Seuhnghoiyahn.
Lesson Three
The following conrersationa take place among
some uniTersity students between classes.
1. A: Leih Saang slk mhslk gong Tahtbunwa a?
B: Slk sesiu.
A: Gas, keuih slk ahslk gong Tingman ne?
B: Dou slk sesiu.
A: Bingo gaau keuih gong Tingman ge ne?
B: Haih Wohng Saang gaau keuih ge.
2. A: Neih slk mhalk gong Gwokyuh a?
B: Deuimhjyuh. Ngoh teng mhchingcho - ihgoi neih Joi gong yatchi.
A: Neih slk mhslk gong Gwokyuh a?
B: Slk sesiu je.
A: Gas, neih slk mhslk Tingmahn ne?
B: Slk gong, mhslk si. Neih ne?
A: Ngoh dou mhslk. 'Tat yih saas' dou mhslk gong.
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APPENDIX 1
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tV. CONVERSATIONS FOR LISTENING
Lesson Two
1. At a party:
Man : Sluje gwaising a?
Woman: Ngoh sing Chihn. Sinsaang gwaiaing a?
Nan : Siusing Hon. Chihn aiuje haih mhhaih Gwongdungyahn a?
Woman: Hhhaih a. Ngoh haih Seuhnghoiyahn. Neih ne? Neih haih mhhaih
Meihgwokyahn a?
Nan : Haih a. Ngoh haih Meihgwokyahn.
2. At the first day of school, students are getting acquainted:
First student: Neih sing asyeh a?
Second student: Ngoh sing Wohng.
First student: Neih pahngyauh ne?
Second student: Keuih dou haih sing Wohng ge.
First student: Neih haih mhhaih Gwongdungyahn a?
Second student: Haih.
First student: Neih pahngyauh haih mhhaih dou haih Gwongdungyahn a?
Second student: Hhhaih a. Keuih haih Seuhnghoiyahn.
Lesson Three
The following conrersationa take place among
some uniTersity students between classes.
1. A: Leih Saang slk mhslk gong Tahtbunwa a?
B: Slk sesiu.
A: Gas, keuih slk ahslk gong Tingman ne?
B: Dou slk sesiu.
A: Bingo gaau keuih gong Tingman ge ne?
B: Haih Wohng Saang gaau keuih ge.
2. A: Neih slk mhalk gong Gwokyuh a?
B: Deuimhjyuh. Ngoh teng mhchingcho - ihgoi neih Joi gong yatchi.
A: Neih slk mhslk gong Gwokyuh a?
B: Slk sesiu je.
A: Gas, neih slk mhslk Tingmahn ne?
B: Slk gong, mhslk si. Neih ne?
A: Ngoh dou mhslk. 'Tat yih saas' dou mhslk gong.
350
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
APPENDIX 1
3. A: Neih gaau bingo Gwongdungwa a?
B: Ngoh gaau Wohng Taai.
A: Keuih haih mhhaih Meihgwokyahn a?
B: Hhhaih. Keuih haih Yinggwokyahn.
A: Keuih elk mhslk se Jungmahn ne?
B: fthelk. Keuih hohk gong, daahnhaih mhhohk se.
A: Keuih hohk mhhohk Gwokyuh a?
B: Ngoh mhjidou a.
Lesaon Four
1. Han : Ngoh go blu oaahn sesiu. Neih go haih mhhaih a?
Woman: Hhhaih. Ngoh go haih jeun ge.
Han : Gam, yihga geidimjung a?
Woman: Yihga ngaarangaam sahpyih dim.
Han : Ngoh go blu yihga haih sahpyat dim daahp aahp.
Woman: Gam, neih go maahn leuhnggojih.
2. Woman: Yihga haih mhhaih baat dim saamgogwat a?
Han : Hhhaih. Ngoh go blu yihga haih baat dim daahp baat je.
Woman: Neih go blu jeun mhjeun a?
Han : Jeun. Hhfaai mhuaahn.
Woman: Gam, ngoh go faai yat go jih.
Han : Waahkje haih.
3. Woman: Joueahn, Wohng Saang. Neih ji rnhji yihga geidimjung a?
Han : A, jousahn, Chahn Siuje. Ngoh go blu yihga haih gau dim
daahp yat.
Woman: Neih go bTu haih mhhaih faai sesiu a?
Han : Waahkje haih. Ngoh rnhji.
Woman: Neih ji rnhji Leih Taai geidimjung hohk Gwongdungwa a?
Man : Ngoh jidou. Haih sahp dim bun.
Lesson Five
1. Two friends in a coffee shop deciding what to have for a mid-after-
noon tea:
A: Neih yam meyeh a?
B: Ngoh yam gafe. Neih ne?
351
APPENDIX 1
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
A: Ngoh yam chah. Sihk mhsihk bang a?
B: Hou aak.
A: Neih geidimjung yiu jiu a?
B: Sei dim.
A: Janhaih gam faai yiu jau me?
B: Haih a, janhaih.
2. A hostess is entertaining a new acquaintance at tea:
Hostess: Yam chah la.
Quest: Hou, mhgoi.
Hostess: Sihk beng la.
Quest: Hou aak, mhgoi.
Hostess: Sihk yln la.
Quest: Stu sihk. fthsai haakhei.
Hostess: Neih haakhei je.
3. At lunchtime Mrs. Wong instructs her serrant about the work for the
rest of the day:
Mrs. Wong: Ngoh tuhng Wohng Saang saaa dim bun yiu yam chah.
Serrant : Sihk mhaihk beng a?
Mrs. Wong: Seslu la.
Serrant : Qam, geidlmjung sihk faahn a?
Mrs. Wong: Baat dim la.
Serrant t Hou aak.
Lesson Six
1. In a department store:
Clerk: Jouaahn, seung maaih meyeh a?
Customer: Ngoh seung maaih tiuh fu. NX leuhng tiuh yiu geido chin a?
Clerk: Nl tiuh sahpbaat man, go tiuh yahyih man.
Customer: Qam, ngoh maaih ni tiuh la.
2. In a department store:
Customer: Nl gihn seutsaam haih mhhaih yahsei man a?
Clerk : Rhhaih. Haih yahgau man.
Customer: Qo gihn dou haih yahgau man, haih mhhaih ne?
Clerk : Haih. Neih haih mhhaih leuhng gihn dou maaih ne?
Customer: Mhhaih. Ngoh maaih nl gihn, mhmaaih go gihn.
352
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
APPENDIX 1
). Id a department store:
Clerk : Maaih meyeh a?
Customer: Ngoh seung maaih seutsaam. Ni gihn geido chin a?
Clerk : Nl gihn sahpyih nan je. Maaih geido gihn ne?
Cue toner: Bei yat gihn ngoh la.
Lesson Seven
The following conversations take
place between clerk and customer:
1. Clerk : Maaih meyeh a?
Customer: Ngoh seung maaih bejau. Qeido chin ji a?
Clerk : Qo baat ngahnchin. Oi geido ji a?
Customer: Oi leuhng Ji.
Clerk : Sai mhsai maaih ylnjai a?
Customer: Hou, bei baau ngoh la!
2. Customer: Nl dl bou geido chin mah a?
Clerk : lahsaam go bun. Neih yiu geido mah a?
Customer: Ngoh mhyiu laak. Qo di ne? Qeido chin mah a?
Clerk : Qo dl sahpsaam go bun ngahnchin mah. Neih maaih mhmaaih a?
Customer: Hou. Ngoh oi leuhng mah.
Clerk : Tahchat man leuhng mah la.
3. Clerk : Maaih meyeh a?
Customer: Ngoh senhng maaih dl ngauhyuhk. Dim maaih ne?
Clerk : Nl dl sei go baat ngahnchin gin. Qo dl chat go bun
ngahnchin gin.
Customer: Bei siam gin go di ngoh la.
Clerk : Siam gin yahyih go bun*
Customer: Ngoh dou seung oi leuhng gin nl di.
Clerk : Hou aak, gan go luhk ngihn chin la.
Lesson Eight
1. In a department store:
Clerk : Jousihn. Seung maaih meyeh a?
Customer: Tauh mouh baahk seutsaam a?
Clerk : Haih mhhaih neih jeuk ga?
353
APPENDIX 1 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Customer: Haih.
Clerk : Neih jeuk geido houh a?
Customer: Saamsahp luhk, waahkje saamsahp baat.
Clerk : Nl gihn haih saamsahpluhk.
Customer: Nl gihn ihgau daaih. Yauh mouh saamsahpbaat ge ne?
Clerk : Deuiihjyuh - saamsahpbaat ge maaihsaai laak.
2. In a department store:
Customer: Yauh mouh baahk haaih maaih a?
Clerk : Yauh. Neih jung ihjungyi nl deui ne?
Customer: Gei leng. Gei(do) chin deui a?
Clerk : Nl deui haih Meihgwok haaih. Chat'ahgau man deui.
Customer: Yauh mouh pehngdl ge ne?
Clerk : Yauh. Go deui haih Yahtbun haaih. Yahngh man deui je.
Customer: fthgoi neih bei deui Yahtbun ge ng6h la.
Clerk : Hou aak.
3. In a department store:
Customer: Yauh mouh maht a?
Clerk : Yauh. Nl dl neih jung mhjungyi ne?
Customer: Gei jungyi. Dim maaih a?
Clerk : Luhk go bun ngahnchln deui. Neih jeuk gei houh a?
Customer: flhji - Ngoh jeuk luhk houh ge Meihgwok haaih.
Clerk : Gam, gau houh la. Neih seung maaih geido deui a?
Customer: Bei saam deui ngoh la.
Clerk : Hou aak. Oi mhoi haaih ne?
Customer: Ahoi laak. Hhgdi.
At a grocery store:
Customer: Yauh mouh tohng maaih a?
Clerk : Yauh. Maaih geido bohng ne? flgh bohng gau ihgau a?
Customer: Ahsai gam do. Leuhng bohng gau laak* A. Ngoh seung oi dl
ngauhyuhk, dim maaih a?
Clerk : Sei go baat ngahnchln gan.
Customer: Bei yat gan ngoh la.
Clerk : Hou.
35^
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
APPENDIX 1
Lesson Nine
1. Mr. Wong phones Mrs. Ho:
Amah
Caller
Amah
Caller
Amah
Caller
Amah
Mrs. Ho
Caller
Mrs. Ho
Caller
Wei.
Haih mhhaih chat-saam-lihng-sei-ngh-lihng a?
Mhgoi neih daaihsengdl. Ngoh teng mhchingcho.
Chat-saam-lihng-sei-ngh-lihng, haih mhhaih a?
Haih. Wan bingo a?
Hhgoi neih giu Hdh Taai teng dihnwa la.
Hon. Dang (yat)jan.
Wei.
Hoh Taai, jousahn.
Jousahn.
Ngoh haih Wohng Saang a. Neih ji mhji Chahn Slnsaang ge
dihnwa geido houh a?
Mrs. Ho: At Ji. Keuih ge dihnwa haih ngh sei saam yih yat lihng.
Caller : Hou, mhgoi.
Mrs. Ho: Hhsai mhgoi.
2. Mr. Wong calls a businessman at his office:
Secretary: Wai.
Caller : Wai. Haih mhhaih saam baat luhk lihng ngh gau a?
Secretary: Haih. Wan blnwai ne?
Caller : Ngoh seung wan Leih Saang teng dihnwa.
Secretary: Deuimhjyuh laak. Keuih cheutjo gaai bo.
Caller : Gam, keuih geidimjung faanlaih ne?
Secretary: Leuhng dim lehng jung gamseuhngha la.
Caller : Hou. Mhgoi neih.
Secretary: Rhsai mhgoi.
3. Mr. Ho telephones Mr. Chan:
Amah : Wei. Wan bingo a?
Caller: Wai. fthgoi neih giu Chahn Slnsaang teng dihnwa la.
Amah : Keuih faanjo gung bo. Gwaising wan keuih a?
Caller: Sing Hoh ge. Keuih geisih faanlaih ne?
Amah : Hhji bo.
Caller: Dang keuih faanlaih mhgoi neih giu keuih da dihnwa bei ngoh
la. Ngoh ge dihnwa haih....
355
APPENDIX 1
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Amah : Rhgoi neih dang yatjan; ngoh lo ji bat sin. Wei, neih ge
dihnwa haih....
Caller: Chat-yat-yat-yih-lihng-chat.
Amah : Hou la. Keuih faanlaih, ngoh giu keuih da bei neih la.
Lesson Ten
1. Asking directions:
A: Cheng mahn Tlnslng Mahtauh hai blndouh a?
B: Hai Mahnwan Jaudim deuimihn.
A: Ngoh mhji Mahnwah Jaudim hai blndouh bo.
B: Ne — hai go bihn go gaan - neih tai mhtaidou a?
A: A, taidou. Mhgoisaai.
B: Mhsai mhgoi.
2. Two friends discuss restaurants:
A: Neih sejihlauh hai mhhai Heunggong nl bihn a?
B: Hai. Hai Daaih Douh Jung.
A: Qodouh jogan yauh mouh hou ge chahlauh a?
B: Yauh. Ngoh sejihlauh jaakleih yauh gaan hou hou ga. Ngoh hou
jungyi hai godouh yam chah ga,
A: Ngoh sejihlauh jo^an ge chahlauh dou mhhaih gei hou, daahnhaih
yauh gaan gei hou ge chaansat. Ngoh jungyi hai godouh sihk
ngaan.
3. Mrs. Ho compliments Miss Wong on her sweater:
Mrs. Ho : Neih gihn laangsaam hou leng. Hai blndouh maaih ga?
Miss Wong: Hai Jungwaahn yat gaan gungsl maaih ge.
Mrs. Ho : Bin gaan ne?
Miss Wong: Hai ngoh sejihlauh gaakleih go gaan.
Mrs. Ho : Haih mhhaih hai chejaahm deuimihn a?
Miss Wong: Haih. Haih go gaan.
k. Mr. Ho calls Mr. Lee on the phone:
Leih Saang: Wei.
Hoh Saang : Leih Saang ah.
Leih Saang: Haih a, bin wai a?
Hoh Saang : Ngoh haih Hoh Yaht-eln a. Neih j£ mhji Meihgwok Jaudim
356
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
APPENDIX 1
hai blndouh a? Yauh go pahngyauh yat jan saam dim hai
godouh dang ngoh. Keuih wah ngoh ji Meihgwok Jaudim
hai Senhnghoi Ngahnhohng gaakleih, daahnhaih ngoh
wan mhdou .
Leih Saang: Meihgwok Jaudim mhhaih hai Seuhnghoi Ngahnhohng gaakleih.
Hai Junggwok^ Ngahnhohng deuimihn. Neih ji mhji Junggwok
Ngahnhohng hai blndouh a?
Hon Saang : 0. Gam, ngoh ji laak. fthgdisaai. Joigin.
1) yat jan = dangyatjahn = 'in a little while'
2) wan mhdou = can't find it, search but not success-
ful
Lesson Eleven
1. A olerk totals the bill for a customer at a grocery store:
Clerk : Sei ji bejau, luhk ji heiseui, sahp go chaang . . . sahpsaam
go yih la.
Customer: Nah, nldouh yat baak man.
Clerk : Hon, dang ngoh jaaufaan bei neih la.^Aiya, deuimhjyuh,
mhgau saanji tim. Neih yauh mouh saanji a?
Customer: Ngoh dou mouh bo.
Clerk : Gam, mhgoi neih dang jahn, ngoh, wan yahn cheunghoi keuih
15.
Customer: Hou la.
Clerk : Nldouh jaaufaan baatsahpluhk go baat bei neih.
Customer: Neih yauh mouh yat man ngan a?
Clerk : Yauh, neih seung yiu geido ne?
Customer: Mhgoi neih cheung sahp man ngoh la.
Clerk : Hou.
Customer: fthgoisaai.
2. At the teller's window in the bank Mr. Wong puts down a $500 bill
and says:
Mr. Wohng: Mhgoi neih tuhng ngoh cheunghoi keuih la!
Teller : Cheung geido a? Haih mhhaih ngoisaai sahp man ji a?
Mr. Wohng: Mhhaih. Oi sei jeung yat baak man ji, sahp jeung sahp
Teller : Mhgau sahp man ji bo. Oi gau jeung sahp man ji, sahp go
yat man ngan, hou mhhou a?
Mr. Wohng: Hou, oi dl saangan dou hou.
l) oi = here: to have in your possession
357
APParjIX 1 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
3. Talking about a borrowed book:
A: Neih gamyaht mhgeidak daai go bun syu faanlaih bit ngoh a?
B: Aiya! fthgeidak timl Janhaih deuiihjyuh laakl Neih geisih (gSisi)
yiu yuhng a?
A: Rgoh dang jahn yiu ga. Yatjan ngoh hohk Yingman mouh syu tai,
mhdak ge bo'.
B: Gam, ngoh yihga fian ukkei lo bei neih la.
A: Yiu faan ukkei lo ah. Ahhou laak. Neih ji mhji nldouh bingo yauh
nl bun syu hoyih Jejyuh bei ngoh sin ga?
B: A'. Chahn Saang dou yuhng go bun syu hohk Yingman, dang ngoh gin
keuih je bei neih la.
A: Hou aakl fthgoieaai.
1) gamyaht = today
2) yatjan = dangyatjahn = 'in a little while'
Lesson Twelve
1. Two women meet in the elevator of their apartnent building. One
woman has her daughter with her:
Wdhng Taai: A, Leih Taai, tuhng go neui heui bin a?
Leih Taai : Ngoh daai keuih heui tai ylsang a.
Wdhng Tiai: Mejeh sih a ?
Leih Taai : Keuih mhseung sihk faahn loh .
Wohng Taai: Neih daai keuih heui tai bin go ylsang a?
Leih Taai : Ngoh slnsaang giu ngoh daai keuih tai Jeung Ylsang.
Keuih haih ngohdeih ge pihngyiuh.
Wohng Taai: Bin go Jeung Ylsang a? Haih mhhaih Seuhnghoi Ngahnhohng
go go a?
Leih Taai : Mouh cho, haih keuih laak.
Wohng Taai: Gam, ngoh sung neihdeih heui la. Ngoh ngaamngaam yiu
heui ngahnhohng lo chin.
Leih Taai : Hou aak. fthgoisaai bo.
1) bin = blndouh?
2) Meyeh sih a? = What's the matter?
3) loh = sen. suf. expressing sympathy
*0 ngaamngaam = just now, just on the point of, just
2. Two men on their way to the bus stop. They hare just finished work:
A: Neih haih mhhaih faan ukkei a?
B: Hhhaih, ngoh yihga yiu heui ngoh neuipahngyauh ukkei taam keuih
mahma.
358
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
APPENDIX 1
As Keuih mihma yauh meyeh sih a ?
B: Mouh meyeh sih . Keuih giu ngoh heui keuihdeih douh aihk faahn je.
A: 0— keuihdeih jyuh hii bin a?
B: Keuihdeih ngaamngaam jyuh hii neih hauhbihn.
A: Haih me? Gam, ngoh sung neih heui la.
B: fthgoisaai.
1) Yauh meyeh sih a? = What's going on?
2) Kouh meyeh sih = Nothing special.
3. Nr. and Nrs. Lee at home:
Leih Taai : Ngoh yatjan yiu heui gungsl maaih yeh. Neih yauh aouh
chin a?
Leih Saang: Ngoh dak seslu ja. Ngoh ngaaangaam seung heui ngahnhohng
lo chin. Neih geidimjung cheutgaai a?
Leih Taai : Hama...Ngoh yiu dang Hon Taai dihnwa bo.
Leih Saang: Qmm. ..Ngoh yihga heui ngahnhohng lo chin ain. Neih
yatjan laih ngoh sejihlauh lo chin, hou ahhou a?
Leih Taai : Houl ...A, ...neih yauh aouh yeh yiu maaih a?
Leih Saang: Mouh laak.
1) ngaamngaam aeung heui = just thinking of going
2) yatjan = in a little while
Lesson Thirteen
1. Two girls driving in a car talk about a young man they see:
A: Hai haak slk go ga che hauhbihn go go yahn haih ahhaih neih
pahngyauh a?
B: Haih bol fthgoi neih faanjyuntauh la. Ngoh yauh dl yeh seung wah
keuih ji ge.
A: Hou aak. Keuih haih ahhaih sing Jeung ga?
B: fthhaih, keuih sing Chahn ge.
A: Keuih giujouh meyeh aeng a?
B: Keuih giujouh Qwok-wah.
A: Chahn Qwok-wah. . .Hma. . .Gaa, ahhaih laak.
B: fthhaih meyeh a?
A: Keuih ahhaih Leih Siuje ge naahapahngyauh laak.
2. A young girl calls hoae:
Wohng Taai: Weil
359
APPBTDIX 1
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Siu-Ylng : Wei, mahma ah? Ngoh haih Siu-Ylng a. Ngoh yibga hai
Mahnwah Jaudim yam chah. Neih laih ahlaih a?
Wohng Taai: Neih tuhng bingo yam chah a?
Siu-Ylng : Ngoh tuhng Hob. Mei-Wah. Nldouh dl beng hou long ga.
Neih laih la.
Wohng Taai: Neih yauh pahngyauh hai douh, ngoh mhlaih la.
Siu-Ylng : Laih la, mahma, ngoh aeung neih yatjan tuhng ngoh heui
maaih yeh a.
Wohng Taai: Gam ah, sal mhsai ngoh ja che laih a?
Siu-Ylng : Nljogan hou siu wai paak che ge bo. Neih giu dlka£ laih
la.
Wohng Taai: Hou la, ngoh jauh laih laak.
1) yatjin = in a little while
2) dlksi = taxi
3. Asking directions:
A: Cheng mahn nl tiuh haih mhhaih Daaih Douh Jung a?
B: Ahhaih, neih hai nldouh yatjihk heui, haahng dou daih saam go
gaaihau go tiuh jauh haih laak.
A: 0, nhgdi.
(He goes on...)
A: Cheng mahn, Daaih Douh Jung ngh baak lihng sei houh hai mhhai
nljogan a?
C: ftgh baak lihng sei houh ah. Ne, chihnbihn yauhsaubihn daih saam
gaan jauh haih laak.
A: Go douh yauh mouh wai paak che ga?
C: Hou chin mouh bo.
A: Hou. Ahgoismai.
1) gaaihau = intersection [street-mouth]
2) hou chih = very likely..., most likely...
k. Passenger and taxi driver:
A: Ahgoi Neih Deun Douh, ngh baak yihsahp sei houh.
B: Hou.
(They ride for awhile)
A: Gwojo daih yih go gaaihau yauhbiha, tihng che la.
Sj I Gwojo la , mhgoi neih tanhauh sesiu la.
B: 0, mhdak bo, hauhbihn yauh che laih, mhhoyih tanhauh.
1) Eil = mild exclamation
2) gwojo la = here: we've overshot it, we've passed it. gwo =
pass b^ 6Q
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
APPENDIX 1
A: Gam, joi sai gwodl, faanjyuntauh la.
B: Dak.
The driver makes a U-turn at the
intersection and goes back)
A: Hou. Hai douh tihng.
(He pays the driver $3 for the $2.70 ride)
Mhsai jaau la.
B: Dojeh.
1) sai = drive
Lesson Fourteen
1. Lunch time:
Wohng Siang: A, Leih Sluje. Heui bindouh a?
Leih Sluje : 0, Wohng Saang. Ngoh ngaamngaam f6ng gung . Neih ne?
Wohng Saang: Ngoh ngaamngaam hai ngahnhohng lo chin faanlaih. Sihk
faahn meih a?
Leih Sluje : Meih al Neih ne?
Wohng Saang: Ngoh dou meih a, ngoh cheng neih heui sihk faahn la,
hou mhhou a?
Leih Sluje : Hou aak, heui bin gaan ne?
Wohng Saang: Gwongjau Jauga dl yihm guhk gai hou leng ga, neih
sihkgwo meih a?
Leih Sluje : Meih sihkgwo.
Wohng Saang: Gam, ngohdeih heui sihah la.
(They arrive at the restaurant)
Wohng Saang: Fogeil ^Ngohdeih seung yiu jek yihm guhk gai, mm. ..Leih
Sluje, juhng yiu meyeh choi tim ne?
Leih Sluje : Gaailaan chaau n^auhyuhk la, mm...yat jek gai taai do,
ngohdeih sihk mhsaai, yiu bun ^ek jauh gau la, joi
dim go sai yeuhng choi tong , hou mhhou a?
Wohng Saang: A. Hou, Leih Sluje janhaih slk dim choi ge laak. Fogei
mhgoi neih faai di bo.
1) ngaamgnaam = just now
2) f6ng gung = leave work, get off from work
3) yihm guhk gai = salt-roasted chicken
k) gaailaan chaau ngauhyuhk = stir fried beef and
broccoli
5) taai = too
6) sai yeuhng choi tong = watercress soup
361
APPENDIX 1 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Leih Siuje : Nldouh dl choi janhaih mhcho, ngoh dou yiu daai ngoh
mahma laih sihah.
(They finish eating)
Wohng Saang: Fogei, maaihdaan.
Fogei : Slnsiang, yahsaam man la I
Wohng Saang: Nldouh yah ngh man, mhsai jaau laak.
Leih Siuje : Wohng slnsaang, ddjehsaai bo.
Wohng Saang: fthsai haakhei.
2. Miss Lee takes her foreign friend to a restaurant for lunch:
A: Nl gaan jauga mhcho ga. Dl yeh yauh pehng yauh leng.
B: 0. Haih me?
A: Wai, fogei! Ahgoi neih ning go choipaai laih taihih la.
W: Hou. Jauh laih.
A: Nldouh yauh Gwongdung choi, SeuhnghSi choi. Neih seung sihk bin
yeuhng ne?
B: Ngoh seung sihah Gwongdung choi. Ahgoi neih gaaisiuhhah la.
A: Gam, dim go yuhjyu, joi yiu go daaih ha. Hou mhhou a?
B: Hou aak. Giu go Yeuhng jau chaau faahn sihah la.
A: Mmm...Neih seung oi go meyeh tong tim ne?
B: Saiyeuhngchoi tong la.
A: A, fogei, mhgdi lo do leuhng ji heiseui laih la.
B: Mmm, dl chaau faahn tuhng daaih ha janhaih mhcho laak.
A: Sihk dodl tim la! fthhou haakhei a.
B: Gau la! Dojehsaai.
At Fogei! Maaihdaan!
1) giu = order, call for (without haying to look at a listed
menu)
2) Yeuhng jau chaau faahn = fangchow fried rice
3) Saiyeuhngchoi tong = watercress soup
3. Deciding where to eat:
A: Neih jungyi sihk meyeh ne?
B: Neih wah la, ngoh meyeh dou sihk ge.
A: Gam, neih seung sihk Jungchoi yikwaahk saichaan ne?
B: Dou dik; neih wah la.
A: Gam, ngohdeih heui sihk Gwongdung choi, hou mhhou a?
B: Hou! Neih ji mhji blndouh ge Gwongdung choi housihk a?
362
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
APPENDIX 1
A: Junggwok Chahlauh ge gei hou. Heui godouh, hou mhhou a?
B: Hou aak. J a mhja che heui ne?
A: fthsai la. Junggwok Chahlauh hai deuimihn je. Ngohdeih haahng heui
la.
k. Time for lunch. Two women friends:
A: A! Yihga jauh faal aahp-yih dim la. Ngohdeih heui sihk aan sin,
hou mhhou a?
B: Hou aak J
A: Nldouh jogan yauh gaan hou yauh meng ge Gwongdung jauga. Ngoh
daai neih heui sihah la.
B: Hou a.
(In the restaurant a waiter
gives them a menu card: )
Waiter: Leuhng wii seung dim dl meyeh choi ne?
A : Wohng Taai, neih jungyi sihk dl meyeh a?
B : Ngoh mhelk dim ga. Neih gaaisiuh gei yeuhng jauh dak la.
A : Gam^ ngoh dim gei yeuhng nldouh yauh meng ge bei neih sihah
la. Fogei, yiu go gulou yuhk . yat go daaih ha, dou yiu sal
B : Joi yiu yat go jyuhuhk t6ng, hou mhhou a?
A : Hou aakt Fogei, juhng yiu yat go jyuyuhk tong t£m. FaaidI
bo.
Waiter: Hou.
A : Wohng Taai, sihk d5dl li.
B : Gau la — nldouh dl choi janhaih mhcho bo!
A : Haih a. At Yihga jauh faai yat dim bun la, ngohdeih jau la,
hou ma?
B : Hou aak.
A : Fogei! Maaihdaan. (She pays the check, leaving a tip.)
Waiter: Dojehsaai.
1) faai = soon, almost, approaching (preceding a time
expression)
2) yauh meng = famous
3) gulou yuhk = sweet & sour pork
k) dou yiu sai ge = want both to be small portions
363
APPENDIX 1
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Lesson Fifteen
1. Asking directions:
A: Cheng mahn neih, Meihgwok Quags! hai blndouh a?
B: Hai Dak Fun Douh Jung.
A: Tauh nldouh dim houi a?
B: Hai nldouh yatjihk haahng, gwojo daih yih go gaaihau, yihnhauh
Jyun yauh.
A: Jyun yauh jihauh ne?
Br Joi yatjihk haahng, gwojo gaaisih, jauh haih Dak Fuh Douh Jung.
Heuidou godouh, neih jauh taidou ga laak.
A: Rou, mhgoi.
B: fthsai mhgoi.
2. At a department store, looking for a friend who works there:
A: Cheng mahn, Leih Siu-lihng Sluje hai blndouh a?
B: Leih slu-lihng, keuih hai bin go bouhfahn jouh sih ga?
A: Hai maaih laangsaam go go bouhfahn.
B: 0, haih laak. Keuih wah ngoh ji yauh wai olnsaang yiu wan keuih,
yihga keuih hai yahpbihn dang neih.
A: Gam, ngoh hai blndouh yahpheui a?
B: Ham... Neih hai nldouh yatjihk haahng, yihnhauh jyuncheut josaubibn,
Leih Sluje jauh hai godouh laak.
A : Hhgoisaai .
B: fthsai mhgoi.
3. Mr. Cheung has rung the bell of apt. 12-A. A servant answers the door,
and Mr. Cheung says:
A: Cheng mahn neih, Wohng Slnsaang hai ahhai douh a?
B: Bin wai Wohng Slnsaang a?
A: Wohng Wihng-yihp Slnsaang.
B: Ahhai nldouh bo. Cheng neih seuhngheui sei lau mahnhah la.
(Goes up)
A: Cheng mahn, Wohng Wihng-yihp Slnsaang hai mhhai douh a?
C: Neih wan bingo a? Ngohdelh nldouh mouh sing Wohng ge bo.
A: Haih me? Deuimhjyuh bo. Daahnhaih ngoh ngaamngaam mahngwo yih
lau yat go yahn, keuih wah Wohng wihng-yihp jyuh hai sei lau
ge bo.
C: Oh! Wohng Wlhng-yihpl Keuih haih mhhaih gaau Gwongdungwa ga?
A: Mouh cho, haih keuih laak.
16k
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE APPENDIX l
C: Keuih jyuh hai eiaa liu, neih haahng faan lohk heui la.
A: Hou, ahgoiaaai.
k. Discussing Cantonese lessons:
A: Tihgi bingo gaau neih gong Gwongdungwa a?
B: Dou haih Jeung Siang.
A: Hohkdou daih gel fo a?
B: Daib sahpngh fo ge la.
A: Daih sahpngh fo gong aeyeh ga?
B: Haih gong heni gungsl aaaih Teh ge, nI_fo ianhaih hou yauh yuhng .
Hohkjo nl fo ngoh janh hoyih tuhng gungei ge fogei gong Gwong-
dungwa laak.
A: Haih ah.
B: Haih aj Qo fogei juhng wah ngoh ge Gwongdungwa hou hou tia.
A: Haih a. Neih ge Gwongdungwa haih ahcho aak.
B: Neih gaa gong, ngoh jauh jaahaih ahhou yisi la.
1) yauh yuhng <= useful
365
APPBTDII 2 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
GRAMMATICAL INDEX
Numbers to the left of the period refer to
leseon numbers, and those to the right, to
page numbers.
S, ss: a (QV) + raised intonation
for liveliness, 14.316
a, set sen. softener, 2.40-41
ah. ssi 'I suppose,' indicating
rhetorioal question, 8.166
aak . ssi a (QY) + ;£ (<2V), 5.114
adjectives, 4.92; 8.183-85} as
modifier to nouns, 8.187
adverbs, 1.2 5
auxiliary verbs, 3.68; compared with
co-verbs, 12.270
b&tgwo . 14.316
bln-M? . 'which?', 8.177, 8.188
blnwai? . substituting for gwaising? .
9.214
bo, ssi for definiteness, 9.207
boundwords, 6.136
cheng T . 'please Y ' , polite
imperative, 15.336
chlhnbihn, 12.285
co-verbs, 12.270
daai . 'bring/take along', 12.272;
'take/bring along', contrasted
with sung . 12.282-83
daih- . ordinal prefix, 15.335
daihyih- . l) the second, 2) the
next, 15.335
dak . 'OK', 11.245; 'ready', 11.245;
with quantity phrase object,
» 'have only X amount', have
sufficient amount, 11.245; in
yauhd&k Y '. 'have available
to _Y_', 11.246
deihha . differentiated from lauhhah
and hahbihn, 15.334
dl, as adj. suffix, 3.185; general
measure for mass nouns, 7.159;
plural measure, 7.158; substi-
tute for noun in a follow
sentence, 7.158
dialect variations, hi tone substi-
tuted for hf tone, 1.6; initial
consonant 1 substituted for n,
3.63; wr before words beginning
with /a/o/u/, 4.94
directional verbs, 15.333; preceded
by verbs of movement, 15.334
directional verb compounds, 14.314;
position of noun object, 14.314
do . 'additional,' 'more', bound to
following Hu-M phrase; nominal
construction, 14.316; patterning
like adj., patterning like N,
patterning like Nu, 8.188;
'large amount' in phrases of
indefinite amounts, 11.247-48
-d6/-siu phrases, with following
Measure, 11.248; with following
N, 11.247
dou . also, both, all, 3.68; even,
3.68
douhaih . 'really' as intonation
marker lightening a blunt
statement, 14.315
-dou . Ysuf indicating reaching desti-
nation or goal, 15.334
-douh , PW formant, 10.226
366
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE APPENDIX 2
-dou . Vsuf, indicating successful
accomplishment of performance
of the verb, 10.228
fo . 'lesson', classed as Measure,
15.336
Free words, 6.1 36
ga , fusion of ge, noun-forming bound-
word (QV) + as. a (QV), 2.43
ga, ssi fusion of ss. ge, 'that's
the way it is, ' and ss. a,
sentence softener, 11.256*
gan, 'follow', compared with gan.jyuh .
12.271
gan.jyuh . (follow', compared with gan .
12.271
-ge . noun-forming boundward, 2.43
ge, as nominal, adj + ge » Noun
Phrase, 8.185; suffix to adj in
modification structure, 8.187;
as nominal, substituting for
noun, 8.187
ge, as., matter-of-fact 'that's the
way it is' connotation, 3*64
ge, as possessive marker, 9 • 207-08;
overlap with Measure, 9.208
ge , ss. ge, 'that's the way it is'
+ rising intonation for uncer-
tainty, 11.248
gei(do)?,as interrogative number,
6.137
gei ?. how many?, compared with gei ,
several, 6.137j compared w. geido?,
gei . sevlral t compared with get ?
'how many?', 6.137
go .iih . omission of in time phrases,
9.210
go, 'that', 6.136
-gw . v «nf, experiential verb suffix,
14, 314
hahbihn . differentiated from deiha.
and lauhhah . 15.334
-hah . Vsuf for casualness, 5.115
haih . as first verb in series,
3.64
haih i i X | ^aih ge . phrase frame
for nouns, 7.160
hai . location verb, 10.22; in
multi-verb clauses follows
verbs of thrust (ex: jai .
• put , ' 1 place • ) , precedes
or follows verba of station
(ex: .1yuh . 'live'), 12.273;
as preposition 'from',
interchangeable with yauh .
15.341
hauhbihn . back side, 12.285
hoylh, 'can' in the sense of 'can
do a favor', 'willing and
able', 15.293
hoylh . 'can', in the sense of
■permitted to', 13.293
indirect object, 6. 137
ja . ss: fusion of as. jS (QV) and
ss. a (QV), implies 'not much',
11.256
jauh, 'then', in two-clau8e sentence,
13.292
Jauh . 'right away, • 'inunediately' ,
in single-clause sentence,
13.292
je . ss: 'merely', 3.64
■1ip . 'fetch,' 'meet', 12.272-73
-.10 . Vsuf accomplishment of in-
tended action, 9.207; 'accom-
plish the performance', 15.335
.juhng . still, in addition, also,
14.316
.jungyi . differentiated from eeung .
9.209
-k . word suffix, suffixed to certain
sentence suffixes, indicating
liveliness, 5.114
IS . ss : for polite suggestion in
imperative sentence, 4.93; for
polite imperative, 5.114
367
APPENDIX 2 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
la , as: indicating change, 4.93; in
imperative sentence, conveying
attitude of friendly advice,
13.294 and 13.303
laak. as: for change, 5«H3
leh . ss: for def initeneas, 5.114
laih ge see haih X laih ge , 7.160
lauhhah . differentiated from deihha
and hahbihn . 15.334
leuhng an d yih , '2«, 4.93
locatives, 10.225
fth.li ... a?, as polite question, 6.137
mhaai , 6.135
ma? , ss: interrogative sentence
Buffix, 14.316
me? , ss: for surprised question, 3.64
Measures, 4.91-9; as word class, 6.133;
individual measures, 6.133; group
measures, 6.134; standard
measures, 6.134; substituting
for noun, 6.135; without pre-
ceding number, 6.135
Measure, overlap with possessive ge,
9.208
meih, 14.315
meyeh . as mass noun, 14.315
money expressions, 7.160-162
ne? , interrogative ss, How about ?,
2.4lj ss : to a question sentence
continuing the same topic, 8.186
n§, ss s used more by women than men,
suffix to clause sentence, 8.186
negative questions, responses to,
12.274
nl, 'this', 6.136
noun modification structures, 8.187
Nouns, absence of singular/plural
distinction, 2.39; modification
of nouns, 2.40; as word class,
6.135; individual nouns, 6.133;
mass nouns, 7.159? mass nouns,
how counted, 7.159; individual
and mass nouns compared, 7.159
Nouns as modifiers to Nouns, 8.187
Numbers, 1-19, 4.92; 20-29, 6.132;
abbreviated forms, 6.132; num-
bers with internal zeroes, 11.261;
numbers with final zeroes, 11.261
paired conjunctions, sin,
yihnhauh... ., 15.333
Phrases, 1. 25-26
Phrase frame, 7. 160
Placewords (PW), 10.224-26; ordinary
nouns which are also PWs, 10.225;
-douh as PW formant for non-PWa,
10.226
Possessive with -ge . in head struc-
tures, 9. 207 -08
Possessive modification, with -ge.
9. 207-08; without -ge . 9.208;
without ge or M, for some family
names, 12.273-74; with without
ge or M, 12.279; with without
ge or M, 15.338
Predicates, verbal predicate, 3.66;
nominal predicate, 3*66; sen-
tence predicate, 3.67
Pronouns, personal pronouns, 2.39;
plural marker for personal
pronouns, 2.39-40; absence of
pronoun object, 3.67
Question sentences with N ne?. 2.41;
choice type, 2.42; word order of
question-word sentences, 2.43;
with ss. me?, 3.64; with ss. ah
for rhetorical question, 8.I80T
with VP nS?, 8.186; with
h.il. ...a? (or....ne?), 6.13 ;
choice type ft for 2 syllable
adjs Vsuf, 8.185; responses to
questions negatively phrased,
12.274; with ss. ma?, 14.316
(iuestion words (ftw): b!n-M7. 8.177,
8.188; bindouh?, 10.222; bingo? .
3.75; ski:.?. 4.90, 6.137;
geidim(.1un*) ?. 4.90; geidS?, 6.127,
6.137; gei8l?(var» g»isiS? T. 9.201
dim? 3-59; mStyeh? (vart meyeh ?.
mlyeh?), 2.32, 2.42.
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE APPENDIX 2
seslu . 'a little, 1 modifies mass nouns
only, 11.247
Sentence suffixes: as means to signal
feelings, 2.1*0; tone marks inap-
propriate, 2.41; intonational,
4.93, 11.248, 2.41, 14.316.
Sentence suffixes, list of:
S,. 14.316
a, 2.40-41
ah, 8.186
aak , 5.114
bo, 9.207
ge/ga . 3.64; 11. 256
ja Co ], 11.257
Je, 3.64
15, 4,93; 5,114
la, for change, 4.93
la, for friendly advice, 13.294,
13.303
laak . 5.113
leh . 5.H4
ma? . 14.316
me? . 3.64
ne?, 2.41; 8.186
tim . 'in addition', 4.84
timl . for taken by surprise,
11.246
va?. 4.91
Sentence types: full sentence, 1.25;
minor sentence, 1.25; SP sentence,
1.25; lead sentence, 1.26;
follow sen., 1.26; choice-type
question, 2.42; QW question, 2.42;
loose relationship of Subject and
Predicate, 3.65; Topic: Comment
sentence, 3«65; sentence w. verbal
predicate, 3.66; sentence w.
nominal predicate, 3.66; sentence
w. sentence predicate, 3.67?
SVO sentence 3.67; subjectless
sentence 3.67, subordinate clause,
primary clause sentence, 12.268-69;
multi-verb single clause sen-
tence, 12.269
seung, 'plan to,' 'am considering',
3.58; differentiated from jungyi .
9.209; differentiated from yiu .
9:209
slk, 'know (how to);' 'know (someone),'
3.69
sin , 'first,' implies something else
to follow, 11.244
-aiu . 'small amount,' in phrases of
indefinite amounts, 11.247-48
siusiu, 'a tiny bit,' 'very little,'
modifies mass nouns only, 11.247
Specifiers, 6.136
sung , 'deliver,' 12.272; contrasted
with daai . 12-282-83
tlm . s.s.: "in addition,' 4.84
tim l, s.s. : indicating speaker has been
taken by surprise, 11.246
Time When expressions, 4.90
Time Spent expressions, 4.91
tuhng . 'and,' 3.68
tuhng , 'with,' 12.283; compared with
tuhng . "and," 12.270-71
Verb suffixes, list ol's
-dou, 15.334
- dou . 10.228
-gwo . 14.314
-hah, 5.H5
-]ir 9.207; 15. 335
Verbs: preceded by mh, 1.25; modifi-
cation by adverbs, 1.25; absence
of subject-verb concord, 2.39;
verbs in series, 3.63, 12.269;
uninflected verb forms, 3.63; haih
as first verb in series, 3.64;
two-part verbs of performance
and achievement, 15.334
wa?, interrogative sen.suf., 4.91
word class, multiple membership: 7. 162
vat, 'one,' ommssion in certain 'one
dollar' phrases, 7«l62; omission
in certain 'one o'clock' phrases,
9.210
yatjihk, 'straight'; 'straightaway',
13.292
yauh. 'and,' 3.68
yauh PW. 'from PW '. 15.335;
yauh , 'to have; there is/are', 8.183;
in pivotal construction, 10.227
APPBSDIX 2 CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
yauhdak V , 'have available for V-ing.
ii725?
yih . '2,' compared with leuhng, 4.93
ylkwaahk, or...?, 14.315
yihp , 'page, 1 15.336
yitt . 'must, 1 5.115; relationahip with
fthsai . 5.115* 6.136; with follow-
ing money expression*' wants, '
'costs,' 6.140; 'intends to,'
9.209; contrasted with seung,
9.209
370
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
CUMULATIVE VOCABULARY LIST
LESSONS 1-15
Entries are arranged in alphabetical order by syllable, with h in-
dicating lower register disregarded alphabetically. When words having the
same syllable but different tones are listed, the sequence of tone listing
is: high level, mid level, low level, high falling, low falling, high
rising, low rising. Numbers in the right hand column refer to the lesson
in which the item first appears, thus:
12 = Lesson 12 Basic Conversation
12.1 = Lesson 12, Drill 1
1CP = Lesson 1, Classroom Phrases
IN = Lesson 1, Notes
Items which appear for the first time in the Classroom Phrases and
Notes are listed again when appearing for the first time in the main body
of the text. Measures for the nouns follow the noun entries in brackets.
a
sen. suf. a (QV) + raised intonation for
7 - ^ .liveliness
oh, ah. la mild exclamation;
-L "
T
X
a
sen. suf., to soften abruptness
2
ago [go]
elder brother
11
ah
sen. suf. with force of 'I suppose.'
8
aak
<>&
sen. suf. a (QV) + -k (QV)
5.7
aam (var: ngaam)
fitting, proper, right
2CP
aamaam (var: ngaamngaam)
exactly
k.5
aam.ieuk (var: ngaam.leuk)
well-fitting (for clothes), fits
well
8.2
aan (var: ngaan)
4t
noon, midday
9
Aiyal
•£«*-
exclamation of consternation
5
ba
Measure for things with handles,
such as umbrellas
6.1
baak
hundred
11
baahk
white
8
baahk faahn [nun] [di]
•& fyi. boiled or steamed rice
lk.
baat
eight
k.Q
baau
package, Measure for cigarette
pack
7.1
bahba [go]
father
12.
bit [ji]
writing implement, either pen or
pencil
6.1
batgwo
however; but; although
1*
371
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
bei ^ give
bei ^ let, allow
bejau [j£] [bui] [jeun] ;'$} beer
beng [go] [dl] [faai] $\
bin-?
blnbihn?
blndouh?
bingo
bingo?
-bihn
blu [go]
bo
bohng
bou [faaiJ [fat]
bouhfahn [go]
bui [jek] [go]
bui
bun
bun
bundeihyahn [go]
chamhdo
chah [bui] [wuh]
chahlauh [gaan]
chaansat [gaan]
chaang [go]
chaau
chaau faahn [wun] [dinp^/fW^Pttried rice
chaau mihn [wun] [dihp];#&{Sj$|f ried noodles
cake
which?
which side?
"here? [which place?]
whomever, whoever, whichever
j^^jg who? ; which person?
-{5L(ii)side
^tjffl} watch, wristwatch
sen. suf. expressing certainty
rf% pound (weight)
^ cloth
-£f£1iffl)department (in a store)
:fcf$J$|i cup, glass
cupful, glass-full (measure of
volume)
half
Measure for book
]a native of the place under dis-
cussion [this-place-person]
approximately
tea
•^^•(F*j) Cantonese style tea-house
^flfElM) Western style restaurant
orange (fruit)
to toss-fry in a small amount of
oil, as in scrambling eggs
4
Chahn
chat
che [ga]
che jaahm [go]
cheng. . .
f£ Chan (sur.)
Ai seven
vehicle: car, bus, or tram
J^^ti£j8]car stop (bus or tram stop)
please (+ Verb), polite preface
to imperative sentence.
6
7CP
5.2
5
8
10.8
4CP;10
3CP
3.12
10
4
4
7
7.1
15
14.1
1^.1
4.3
1CP;7.
10
2CP;4
5
10.2
10.2
5.1
14.2
14.2
14.1
1
4.0
10.9
10.3
15
372
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Cheng mahn
cheuihbin
Cheuihbin choh la.
cheung
■fjjj $ 'May I ask...?' Polite form used to 10
preface a question equivalent to
English 'Could you please tell
me . . . ? '
fj&.'iSL As you wish. At your convenience. 5
Sit anywhere you like.' Polite 5
phrase used by host to guest*
change money into smaller denomi- 11.16
nation (followed by denomination
desired)
cheunghoi
spilt , oreaK up a. large DanKnote
or coin for ones of lesser
denomination (followed by de-
nomination held)
J. J.
cheuhng
long (in length)
8.1
cheuhng saam [gihn]
cheongsaam. Chinese style dress
ft n
o. /
for women, with high collar and
slit skirt
cheut
A ,
out, emerge
15
cheutheui
go out
chiutlaih
come out
cheutbihn
outside, exterior
15.1
cheut gaai
to go out (from one's own house)
9.3
chi
time, occasion
1CP;3
chin
thousand
11.17
chihnbihn
front side, in front, at the front
12.15
chin [dI3
money
6
chingcho
clear
3
chi.hncpvi.hnff
circumstances, conditions
7CP
cho
mistake (v/n)
9
choh
sit
5
choi [dihp] [go]
food; a particular food, a dish
l«i
choidaan [jeung]
menu of a specific dinner
ikn
choipaai [go]
menu, bill of fare
ik
da
dozen
8
da
hit
9
da dihnwa
make a telephone call
9
da dihnwa giu che
phone for a cab
15.11
dahoi
open (as of book)
1CP?15.3
daai
4
carry; bring/take something along;
11; 12
bring/take someone along
373
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
-dou
verb suf., indicating successful
10
accomplishment of what is
-it
attempted
QUnK
read aloud \ recite \ read
A nVt 1* A aii
aunKaOU
reau t.o. . .
duhk syu
to s tudy
i ft
10
dyun
short
8
faahn [wun] [tung]
[rice (cooked)
5.1
faan
&
return (to/from a place you
naoituaiiy go to/
9.3
loan gung
ik J.
go L*cturnj to worn
faanheui
go back* return
17
faan hohk
go to school
9.3
faanjyuntauh
"Tg
turn (the car) around and go back
13.1
in the direction you had been
coming • Lretur ll- Lurn^neocij
I aa.niaifi
come oacK| return v nere /
faan (ng)ukkei
go [return] home
9.3
I aal
fast
L
iaaiji Lcieuij Ljckj
chops tick( s)
ianjung ^
minute ( s )
i anoint
d i ffere nee
I 0
Xesson
fCP;15. *
fogei [go]
cierK in a grocery store
c
0
iogei Lgoj
/j'-fi tail
waiter in a restaurant
T li
X'r
iu l tiunj
trousers > siacKS, long pants
0.1
fu
» .1
*'J
pair; M. for eyeglasses
11.13
fut
wide
8.3
ga
-*
sen. suf: a fusion of noun- forming
boundword ge and sen.sut a (QV)
2.9
ga (var: ge, [gi| )
In
sen. suf. for matter of fact
assertion* tnat s a iact
3
M. for vehicles
gaai LtiuhJ
ii* fail
-1*1
street
13
Mom' ei 1 1 Vi
X *J v V IIIIIICJ I1U f All tl uuuuc
gaaihau [go]
street opening; i.e» , intersection
15.8
gaaisih [go]
food market
15
gaai(sik)
explain
7CP
37**
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
daaih
J.
large
8
Daaih Douh Jung
Queen's Road Central
10.3
daaihseng
loud (voice)
2CP
Daaihsengdll
A..$j.&-J Speak louderi
9
daahnhaih
but
3
daap
to answer
2CP
Daap cho sin.
Wrong number, [connected the wrong
9.3
line J v. said over the phone;
daaphaak [dl]
passenger
13
daahp
tread on. in time expression daahp
combines with the numbers on the
clock face to indicate the 5-
minute subdivisions of the hour.
Thus, daahp yat = 5 after,
daahp yih = 10 after, etc.
if
daahp bun
*i
half past (the hour)
daahp gei?
how many five minutes past the
hour? [tread on-which number?]
daih
#
ordinal number marker: -st, -nd,
-rd, -th, etc.
3CP;15
daihyat
*-
the first
15
daifu [tiuhj
underpants, undershorts
6.3
daikwahn [tiuh]
8li P« Petticoat
6.1
daisaam [gihn]
underwear
8.13
dak
OK, all right
7CP;11
dak. . .
have_only. . . , only have .2.5 u ??H$y.
11
(dak with a quantity phrase as
object implies that the quantity
*-4-
is insufficient.)
JT? uh -dSk-
available, can. (used between the
11
verb yauh (or its negative mouh)
and a second verb, forms a phrase:
'have (or not have) available for
.Y.-ing* ; * can ,Y. •
Dakfuh Douh Jung
Des Veoux Road Central
10.5
Dak meih?
Are you (Is he, etc.) ready?
if
dang
$
wait (for)
k
dang ??y??9.Y ? rt
allow, let Person do something:
wait while Person does something
9
dang (yat)jan op
wait awhile; in a little while
9.3
dang yatjahn
4-4
375
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
aeinna
"Wj l
gx OUI1U | gj. UUI1U X 1UUI
deui
pair; group measure for shoes, socks,
chopsticks, things that come in
two's
6.1
UQL11IIU1 J j mi **
Excuse me • T het? vour nardon ♦
I'm sorry.
Ut? U 1U11UU
or^oosite side, facintri across the
street
10
dl
to
the: some. ( olural M for individual
Vllv ^ LJ *— ' IUV # \ ^ X> IX A Xi It A WX X> JIM X V X> \X IX X
nouns)
1CP :7
dl
a little, some; the. (general M for
mass nouns)
3;7
-dl
suffixed to Adj. to mean: a little
Ad j , somewhat Ad j , Ad j-er .
Attached to predicate Adj.
means: a little too Adj.
2CP;8
dihnwa [go]
telephone
9
dim
&
to order (food, by pointing out
your choice from a list.)
14
dim?
&
how?
3
dim bun
At
1:30 o'clock
9.7
dim( jung)
W)
o'clock, (represents the hour place
in a time phrase)
I*
diuhtauh
turn (a car) around [turn-head]
13.*
dodl
more (in addition), (follows Verb)
Ik
do
much, many
8
do
>
additional, another, more, (precedes
Number + M phrase)
14
Dojeh.
Thank you (for gift)
14
Dojehsaai.
Thank you very much.
14
dou
dou
also
both; and
2
3
douhaih
dSu + ??5:.Y.
really
V
not even ...
14
3.16
dou
arrive
13
_ A n i \
* j
vorVi ki» f tn vorhn r\ f mnt ^ r\r\
»ci U DUl « wu VOX UO nJ J. IIIU vlUll f
indicating arrival at goal
Doub
Road (restricted to use following
named road)
12.2
-douh
place, also see: hai douh
376
11
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
gaakleih
gaan
gaau
gaaudou
gafe [bui] [wuh]
gal [jek]
gaijuhk
gam
gamseuhngha
gam
Gam, . • •
gan
gan
ganjyuh
gang [jek]
gau
gauh
gau
Gauluhng
-ge
-ge
ge
geibun
gei
gei_?
gei
geidim?
(var:
geido?
geido
ffo next door, adjacent
fiij M. for buildings
teach
j&S\ teach to...
J**
"fib
geidlmjSng?)
Tee
chicken
continue
so (♦ Adj.)
approximately
that way, this way, thus, such
a way
'Well then,...' 'Say,...' (Sen.
preface, resuming the thread
of previous discussion)
catty, unit of weight equalling
600 gms., ca. 1 lb 5 oz,
follow, come behind
follow, come after
spoon
enough
old (not new)
nine
Kowloon
noun-forming boundword. added
to Verb Phrase makes it a
Noun Phrase
as noun substitute
possessive marker, joins with
preceding personal noun or
pronoun to form possessive.
basic ; foundation
several
which number?; how many?
rather, quite
what time is it? [which number •
o'clock?]
how much? , how many?
quite a lot
377
10
10
3.3
kcv
5.2
7.1
2CP
5
9.7
2CP;3CP
12.7
1CP; 3CP
12.7
Ik.k
6
8.1
*.0
12
2
8.8
9.10
J+CP
k
8
k
6
11.11
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
geido houh?
geisl? (var: gSisih?
geui
*/
ceui
6 » **
#■
hn
&
n
giu
giu che
giu( jouh)
go
go
go-
go bihn
goal
godouh
•flJt
gong
gong ????9 n 31
tit *
gong ferSPn teng
i* A
guhaak [dl]
gungsl [gaan]
gungyahn [go]
gwai
gwaising?
gwaisingmihng?
gwat
gwo
-gwo
gwodl
GwodI tim.
Gwokyuh
flit
what number? 9
when? 9
sentence 3CP;3.lA
give (an example) 7CP
M. for clothes, such as shirt, 6
dress, raincoat
instruct, tell (someone to do 9
something); order; call
call a cab 15.11
is called, is named 13
general M. for many nouns lCP;lf
M. for dollar; represents the dollar 7
place in a money phrase
that; those 6
over there, on that side 10
those (in reference to unit nouns); 7
that (in reference to mass nouns)
there [that-place] 10.1
speak 1CP;2CP;
3
tell ?f?f?9 9.8
tell P??son 9<8
customers 6
department store; office (of a 10
commercial company)
servant, laborer 9
expensive 8.1
what is (your) surname? (polite) 2
what is your surname and given 13.17
name? (polite)
quarter (hour) k
pass by (a point); cross (a street); 13
go over (to a place)
V. suf. indicating experience; to l't
have done something before.
beyond; a little farther on 13
Go further on; i.e. Keep going. 13
(said to taxi driver)
Mandarin spoken language [National- 3
language]
378
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
Gwongdung
Gwongdung choi
Gwongdungwa
Gwongdungyahn [go]
ha [jek]
hahbihn
-hah
haaih [deui] [jek]
haak
haakhei
haahng
haih
haih...laih ge
hai PW
hai PW
MS}
Kwangtung, province in SE China
Cantonese food
Cantonese spoken language
Cantonese person, person from
Kwangtung province
shrimp
~T 'fjLG^.) De l° w « downstairs
verb suf. giving casual effect
to the verb it is joined to.
shoes
black
polite
go; walk; drive
am, is, are, was, were, etc.
^ •••vHHSL i s » • • 5 grammatical structure
41
hai douh
hauhbihn
heiseui [ji] [jeun] [bui]
heui
-heui
emphasizing enclosed noun
from PW
location verb, translated as
'(is) in/on/at' (requires PW
following)
(he, she, it) is here; is at (this)
place
back side; behind, in the back,
at the back
soft drink
go
attaches to verbs of motion,
indicating direction away from
the speaker
2
14.2
3.1
2
14
15.1
5
6.2;7
8
5
13
1
7
15.6
7CP;1
11
12
5.2
12
15
heui gaai
go out (from one's own house)
9.3
Heunggong
Hong Kong
10.3
Hdh
ft
Ho (sur.)
1
hoylh
be permitted, allowed to
13
hohk
* .
study, learn
3
hohkhaauh
[gaan]
school
12
hohksaang
[go]
student
1
houh
%
number; 'size* (for some articles
of clothing)
8
houh
4/L
number (for street number in giving
12.2
an address)
379
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
houh( ji)
4,4-
dime (represents the dime place in
a money expression when the
7
iigure is less tnan a dollar;
hou
very, quite
2CP;8
hou
well, good
2CP;8
Hou
OK, All right, Fine, Agreed.
(Response phrase indicating
It
agreement.)
Hou aak.
OK. Agreed. (Lively response phrase
indicating agreement.)
5.7
HUliUU
11*11
Hou ma?
is that UK?
1 1.
1H
hou nihil ou a?
uiw, is (.that; all right?
Q
0
nousiiiK
goou to eat ; tasty
£5.2
housiu
very little
11.11
houyam
good to drink; tasty
8.2
ja
f
sen. euf; a fusion of sen. suffixes
je and a, implying not much,
11.11
merely
la
ja
to ciuicn in tne nanuAs; , grao
13.15
ja che
to drive a car
13.15
jaak
narrow
8.3
jaahm
stop, station, as in 'bus stop,'
10.3
•train station'
Jaau
give change
11
jaauf aan
**!
give back change [change-return]
11
jai [go]
son
12.2
jaineui [dl]
children of a family, sons and
12.2
daughters of a family
jannain
-it IT*
really, indeed
5
jaun
then; and; immediately; soon
3CP;13
jau
7<~
leave • aepart
5
jau l jeunj l dux j
#i f At f&T
aiconoiic oe v erage
5.2
jauaim Lgaanj
notel
10
jauga [gaan]
Chine-ee style restaurant
14.8
sen* sui • only, merely; that's all
3
-1? Thai
•7*
liulUi cila
£ 1
b.l
lend, borrow
11
je Jyuh
4t£
lend or borrow temporarily
11
380
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
jek
t
M. for shoe, sock, ship, cup,
spoon, chicken and others.
7.1
jeuk
wear; put on (clothes)
8
jeun
4
accurate, right
2CP
Jeung
ft
Cheung (sur.)
1.1
jeung
M. for banknote, table, chair,
newspaper, and other sheet-
11
jih [go]
jihgei
a
ji(dou)
jl [jeung]
jldou
jip
jlu [jek] [so]
-jo
jo
jobihn
- jogan
josaubihn
joi
joi da laih
Joigin.
joi gong yatchi
jouh
jouh saam
jouh sih
jouh yeh
Jousahn.
jung [go]
$ mi
it
i.
1,00(^.1 banana
"zi verb suf. indicating accomplish-
ment of performance undertaken
left (direction)
^tdo left Side
/4. & nearby ,( t)hereabouts
^-^febk) lefthand side
_pj. again
call back (on the phone)
Goodbye.
_^r^-;J^ say it again
am]
snaped objects
written figure; word; used in telling
time, indicates the 5-minute
divisions of the hour, thus:
vat go jih = 5 minutes; 5 min.
past the hour.
my-, your-, him-self; our-, your-,
them-selve6
M. for pens, pencils, bottles,
and other things that are small
thin and striplike in size
to know (something)
banknote; paper
point to
meet, fetch, pick up (a person)
do; work; act a6
make clothes, have clothes made
to work, have a job
do chores, have a job
Good morning,
clock
581
k;7C¥
2CP
6.1
3
11
3CP
12
5.1
9
13
13
10
13
1CP;3
9.3
1
3
2CP;3CP
12.2
12.12
12.2
lk.7
1
6.1
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
juhng
**
still, in addition, also ( + verb)
Ik
Jungchoi
Chinese food
lh.2
Junggwok choi
Chinese food
1^.13
Junggwokyahn
Chinese person
2.1
Jungmahn
Chinese (written) language
3.3
Jungwaahn
Central District (in Hong Kong)
10.3
Jungwaahn Gaaihslh
Central Market (in Hong Kong)
15
jungyi
like; prefer; like to
8
jung
type, kind
8
jyuh
live , reside
12
-jyuh
it
V. suf. indicating temporarily, for
a short time
11
jyuyuhk [gain] [bohng] [dl]
pork
7
jyuyahn [wai] [go] ikifrKM
host, hostess
5
jyun
turn
13
-k
glottal stop ending to certain
sen. suffixes, giving sentence
a lively air
5
kahmyaht
yesterday
4CP
kammaaih
K<
to close, shut (as of books)
1CP
keuih
he/him, she/her, it
2
keuihdeih
they, them, their
2.1
kwahn [tluh]
oKirv
O.J.
la
•it
sen. suf. for polite imperative,
k
±J \J ± ±. IC o O wlUUi
la
sen. suf. la for change + raised
k
intonation for casualne6s
la
•it e#)
sen. suf. indicating change —
(that change has occurred, or
5
is about to occur, or may occur)
la
sen. suf. to imperative sentence,
giving connotation of friendly
advice
13.12
laak
sen. suf. la indicating change or
2CP;5
potential change + suffix -k
indicating lively mood (la + -k =
laak)
laangsaam [gihn]
sweater
8.1
laih
example
?CP
laihgeui
example, example sentence
382
3CP
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
laih
for the purpose of
7CP
laih
come
12
-laih
attaches to verbs of motion,
15
the speaker
...laih ge
see: haih...laih ge
7
Lauh
#1
Lau (sur.)
1.1
lauhhah
downstairs [floor-below]
15.1
lauhseuhng
upstairs [floor-above]
15.1
lau
floor, story of a building
12.2
leh
<*']
sen. suf. for definiteness
5
Lein
X
leng
pretty, good-looking; good, nice
(for edibles)
0
0
lehng
'-and a little bit' in a time
9
phrase following dim, thus: -dim
lehng jung = a little after
the hour
leuhng
two
k.l
lihnjaahp [go]
exercise, drill
3CP
lihng
zero
9
lo
fetch, go get (something)
9
lo chin
withdraw money (from bank)
10.9
lohk
*
descend
15
lohkheui
go down
15
louhyahn [go]
pedestrian
15
luhk
) N
six
1. /-v
H.O
ma •
apn Rll'P Tnn If i r-i r* a mi0flt1 rtn r\~p
0(3 11. dux • uuxr^xiL^ cl i^uco irluil ui
the sentence it attaches to
mah ma
mother
12
Mah
Ma ( sur . )
1.1
mah
yard (in length)
7.1
mahtauh [go]
pier
10
maaih
sell
7
Maaihsaai laak.
All sold out.
8
-maaih
V. suf. meaning together, close
1CP
MaaihdaanI
The check please I (said to a
1*+
waiter in restaurant)
383
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
maaih
f
buy
6
maahn
*
slow
4.8
man
dollar
6
mahn
ask
2CP;10
mahntaih [go] [dl]
question
3CP
Mahnwah Jaudim
Mandarin Hotel
10
matyeh?
what?
2
maht [deuij [jekJ
socks
6.1;7.1
mm
me?
4
interrogative sen. suf. indicating
surprise
3
meyeh?
4*
what?
*>
me in
>
neg: not yet
k
Meihgwok Jaudim
American Hotel (in HK, another
10.3
name for the Hong Kong Hilton)
Meihgwok Ngahnhohng
mm
Bank of America
10-
Meihgwokyahn
American person
2.1
meng [goj
name; for persons = given name
13
(in contrast to surname)
mh-
not
l
mhcho
good, 'not bad' [not-mistake]
(said in commenting favorably
about something)
14
A. * A
Mhganyiu.
That's all right; It doesn't
matter; Never mind.
1
mhgeidak
forget (not remember)
11
mhginjo
lose, lost; 'nowhere to be seen'
11
mhgoi
Thank you (for a service)
5
Rhgoi neih...
Please..., Would you please...
3
(sen. preface preceding a
request)
mhhaih gei Ad j
not very Ad J, not Ad 3
8.1
\ , , . , , * Ad i
mhhaih hou V.J
1 /< It
Ad i
not very ..J
0 1.
0.4
mnnou ...
don't .Y. (as a command) [not
good to .Y.]
5
Y. d !* ifchhou
badly, not well
2CP
fthhou haakhei*
'Don't be polite.' Polite phrase
used by host to urge guest to
have something that he has just
politely declined.
5
384
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
fthhou yisi.
fthji(dou) . . .a?
mhsai
fthsai haakhei.
fthsai la.
fthsai mhgoi.
mlyeh?
mouh
Mouh cho.
mouhdak .Y.
mouhgeido
muhnhau [go]
naahmpahngyauh
Nah!
ne?
Neihdeun Douh
neih
neihdeih
neui [go]
neuihpahngyauh
ngh 3u *
ngaam
ngaam jeuk
^tyfiiifc-' I' m sorry; It's embarrassing.
(used in apologizing for social
gaffe)
^ I wonder...?
-■J^L no need to, not necessary
^►HiLlM^ [don't need to be polite.]
•No thanksl' (to an offer)
•You're welcome.' (when someone
thanks you)
[Not necessary] No thanks.
polite phrase used in declining
a courtesy or a gift.
[Not necessary to (say) thanks]
Polite response when someone
thanks you for something you
have done for him.
what?
not have, there isn't (aren't)
That's right.
not have available for
V
....
V-ing
• • • • * |
not have
rt-t«
[go] fMM
there's none to
available to .:. (used in
combination with following verb)
not much, not many
doorway
boyfriend
Herel (expression accompanying
giving something to someone)
interrogative sen. suf.
There J (expression accompanying
pointing out something to
someone)
Nathan Road
you , your
you (plu.)
daughter
girlfriend
five
fitting, proper, right
well-fitting (for clothes), fits
well
6.1
5
5
3CP;8
11
11.11
10.6
12.3
11
2
10
12.2
2
1CP;2
12
12.3
3
2CP
8.2
385
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
ngaamngaam(var jaanaam) n%x exactly, just k.5
ngaan (vartaan) noon, midday 9
ngahnchln [go] 4^/4$$lS] money [silver-money] 7
ngahnhohng [gaan] (A»jJ bank 10
ngan jfy. coin 11.1
ngahngeng [fu] H^-^l*']] eyeglasses 11.13
ngahngengdoi [go] B^^,^^]eyeglasses case 11.13
ngahp tau nod the head 3 CP
ngauhnaaih [dl] 4^ milk [cow-milk] 5.2
ngauhyuhk [gan] [bohng] 4 |4E| beef 7
[dn
ngoh I i me , my 1
ngohdeih we, our, us 2.1
ngoi (var: oi) ^ want, want to have, want to possess 7
ngoihgwokyahn [go] ^$/C£fS|) foreigner [outeide-country-pereon] 1^
(in practice, this word refers
to Caucasians only)
nguk (var: uk) [gaan]/l (ffl) house 10.3
ngukkei (var: ukkei ) home 9.3
nl $j this 6
nl bihn this side 10.3
nl dl yiiiti these (in reference to individual 7
nouns), this (in reference to
mass nouns)
nldouh /Jk. here [this-place] 10.1
nljogan jS.$L close by, hereabouts 10.3
nihng tau $ $L shake the head 3CP
ning ^J" carry (something) 1^
n£ngheui, ning. . .heui take , carry ?? me !#i?S away ik
nfnglaih, ning. ..lain here 1*+
oi (var: ngoi ) ^ want, want to have, want to possess 7
paak -Jq park (a car) 13
paak che -Jq j£ to park a car 13
pahngyauh [go] faiffl friend 2
pehng & cheap 8
pihnggwo [go] ^.^tfSO apple 5,1
-saai t^jjj completely 8
386
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
saam
_L- three
3
saam go gwat
three quarters after the hour
k.e
saanngan [dl]
-^4f«(^) small coins, small change
ii
Saang
± Mr.
i
Saichaan [go]
v&^(j®J Western meal
14.2
sai
4,® small
8.2
saimui [go]
younger sister
11
san
1
8.1
sahp
~f ten
4.0
sahpyat
*t " eleven
4.1
sahpyih
-f — twtlve
4.1
sauhfoyuhn [go]
"H^ftl^S} salesclerk [sell-goods-personnel]
6
saudoi [go]
^."fi* /■tflT (woman's) handbag
11.13
seslu
>L .K a little
3
se
write
3
sejihlauh [gaan]
'fi.'iifcffiflToffice rwrite-words-buildingl
10.2
sei
tfp four
3
seuhngbihn
Jl^. above , upstairs
15.1
seuhngchi
$ last time, the previous time
he? a*
SeuhnghSi
Shanghai
2
Seuhnghoi choi
J: J&$: Shanghai food
14.2
SeuhnghSi wa
Jz.ifc»fe Shanghai dialect (spoken language)
3
Seuhnghoiyahn [go]
?&/Jj$Ip erson from Shanghai
2
seung
■jjfi, be of a mind to, wish to, would
like to, want to, considering,
(always followed by Verb)
3
seuhng
Jl ascend
15
seui [bui] [dl]
water
5.2
seui bui [jek]
^^T'lji] water glass
14.10
seutsaam [gihn]
14»#(#J shirt
6
slgei [go]
^f^ffSj taxi driver; chauffeur
11
si
i& tr y
wry
5
sihah
"^*T S ive a try
sih
business, affair, matter
9
Sihdaahn la.
_a M^tk Phrase used when offered a choice,
meaning: As you wish; Either one;
14
Both equally preferable.
387
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
sihhauh
4#
time
7CP
sik
know how (to do something)
3
sik
know someone
3.11
sik
h
color (n.)
8
sihk
eat
5
sihk (ng)aan
eat lunch
2.1
sihk yin
<M
to smoke [eat-tobacco]
5
sinsaang [go]
husband
12.2
sinsaang [go]
[wai] %Jd@\\&
man, gentleman
1N;2
Sinsaang
Mr.
IN
Sinsaang
'Sir,' polite term of direct address
2
sinsaang [go]
teacher
1
sin
line, thread (n.)
9
sin
t
first
3CP;9
...sin, yihnhauh '&jffl-$i~--
...first, then...
15
sinji
then
7CP
sing
be surnamed, have the surname;
surname
1
siuje [wai] [go] 'WffiJUffl
unmarried woman; woman, lady
1N;2
Siuje
Miss (polite term of direct address;
1
also, title following surname)
Siu sihk. Thanks, I don't smoke, [seldom- 5.8
smoke] (response by non-smoker
when offered a cigarette.)
Siusing. . .
■Mi
My surname is... (polite)
2
suhk
&
ripe (in regard to speech =
and with understanding of
smoothly
the
2CP
A
content)
sung
deliver
12.10
-syu
A
place (PW boundword)
ION
syu [bun]
book
1GP;3CP;
7.1
taai [tiuh]
tie
6.2
Tsaitaai
Mrs.
1N;1
taaitaai [go]
[wai] ^^l^jtyijmarried woman; wife
1N;12.2
Taai
A
Mrs. (title to surname)
1
taam
to visit
12
tai
*
look, look at
1CP;3CP;
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
taidou
taihah
tai syu
tai yisang
tanhauh
tau = tauh
teng
teng dihnwa
tira
tim
Tlnslng Mahtauh
tihng
tluh
Toihsaan
fi-
liate
V2 ^
see (look-successfully)
have a look
read (a book)
see a doctor
back (a car) up, move back,
reverse [move-back]
head
hear, listen (to)
talk [listen] on the telephone
sen. suf. indicating speaker is
taken by surprise by a situation
contrary to his expectation
in addition, also, more
Star Ferry Pier
to stop
M, for trousers, ties, and certain
other objects long and narrow
in shape
Taishan, a county in Southern
Kwangtung about 100 mi.
west of Hong Kong
T2
Toihsaanwa
Toihsaanyahn
tong [go] [wun]
tong mihn [go] [wun] y,
tohng jfe
Tohngchoi jjj.
touhsyugwun [gaan] [||^#£tPe[I lib
tuhng m
tuhng ^
tuhng |s]
uk (var: nguk ) [gaan]y^_ (Jv\J
ukkei (var: ngukkei ) %
Taishan dialect
person from Taishan
[soup noodles
sugar
Chinese food
rary
and (connects nouns)
on behalf of, for
with
house
home
spoken language; dialect
waahk je
ft*
interrogative sen. suf. calling
for repeat of the preceding
sentence
maybe
10
Ik
10. lit
12.2
13.1
3CP
1CP;3C
3
9
11
k
10
13
6.1
2.1
3.7
2.1
Ik
lk.1
7
IkH
10.2
3
11
12.11
10.3
9.3
3
389
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
wah da say; opine 8.3
wan y? 1 ?? ji iii.!>.^ tell ??????? (any personal noun 9
or pronoun can fill yahn
position)
wah teng A -|jt tell ?°7?°?? 9.8
wai polite M. for persona 6.1
wai [go] a Pl a «e, seat 13
wan jaahp ^ ^ to review hCP
wan -^J^ look for, search 9
Wan blnwai a? J£ A ^ »fr (on telephone:) .Vho do you wish to 9
speak to?
wan y&n Ar. look ? cm f on f up 9.9
htui Hflll corae/go see sonie ° ne 9.9
Weil Hellol (telephone greeting) 9
WihngCn Gungsi ^ < - j ^''a'^] Win S 0n department Store 13.1
Wohng -^r (i) Wong (sur.) 1.1
wuihwa / ^f~ > 6^; conversation ifCP
wuhn -£je to change, re money, to change 11
into... (followed by denomination
of money desired) ; to exchange
one national currency for another
(followed by currency desired)
wuhn saam *f y" change clothes 15.11
wun [go] [jek] bowl (n.) Xk.l
wun a bowl of... (tn) l*t.l
wunjai [go] [jekJ ;?^>l^tijsmall bowl li+,10
yam to drink 5
yahn [go] A 11®] person 2,6
yahn [go] /V f'flU J someone 15
yahnhaak [wai] X-.!&-( / fkJ guest 5
yahp ^ enter 13
yahpbihn 7\^%.(j£0 inside 13
yahpheui /V ^ S° in i enter 13
yat — one 1 C P; 3
yatchaih — together 1CP
yatchi — $ once, one time 3
yat chi dou meih... — /^4|^...not even once 1*+
390
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
yat dou .??f:
V — -fca
• • • , . «/p r . - .
not even one...
14
Yat ko <twat
1134 fl
a quarter after the hour
4.6
yat go jih
five minutes; five minutes after
the hour
4.7
yat go yat go
HflHfl
one by one
1CP
yat jihk
straight a) in a straight direction
b) without being interrupted
or diverted.
13
yatyeuhng
-*
same
7
Yahtbun choi
«*#
Japanese food
14.12
Yahtbunwa
Japanese (spoken) language
3.1
Yahtbunyahn
Japanese person
2.1
Yah t man
Japanese (written) language
3.6
Yahtmahn
Japanese (written) language
3.6
yauh
right (direction)
13
yauh
also (connects Verb Phrases)
3.9
yauh .Y.yauh.Y.
both. . . , and. ...
3.9
yauhbihn
right side
13.7
yauhsaubihn
ri s ht hand 8ide
13.4
yauh.??.
A...
from
15
yauhhaak [go]
tourist
10
ys.u.h
has/have; there is/are
VP • ft
yauhdak.Y.
to have available to .Y., have
available for .Yri^S. (used in
11.7
combination with following verb)
(Yauh) miyeh sih a? (/j^B^J^What is it you want?
(on the phone: May I take a
message?)
yauh sih
yeh
yeh
yeuhng
ylsang [go]
yih
yihga
Yl!
have something to attend to;
have errand, business
work; chores
things, stuff
kind, type
doctor
two
now, at this moment
Exclamation of distress
14.7
12.2
14.12
12.2
3
1CP;2CP
3CP;4
11
391
CANTONESE BASIC COURSE
. . .yikwaahk. ..? ,..^z^ , or...? (connects two verbal Ik
expressions)
yln [baau] [dl] tobacco 5
ylnjai [ji] ^^OU * ci 8 arette 7.1
yihn(ji)hauh *^(iMlL then; immediately afterwards 15
Yingman English language 3
Yingmahn English language 3
Yinggwokyahn [go] ^gj^^jj Englishman, person from England 2.1
yihp. "J page *»CP;15
yiu JjP. want, require 2CP
yiu must; need; have to 5
yiu + money expression want X amount, costs X amount. 6.1
(i.e., the asking price is X
amount)
yiu ^ going to, intend to 9
yfi & fish 7.1
yuhjyu" [jek] roast suckling pig Ik
yuhlau [gihn] ifyjfifyfil raincoat 6.1
yuhnbat [ji] /fej^ (£j pencil 6.1
yuhnjlbat [Ji] [dl] ft 3^J^ ballpoint pen 6.2
yuhng (iHtfiluse 7CP;11
*B.S. Covemment Printing Office 1988: 227-039/90389
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$0.65
$1.25
$1.75
$1.25
Supplies of all publications listed are limited, and prices are subject
to change without advance notice. Rules require remittance in advance
of shipment. Check or money order should be made payable to the Super-
intendent of Documents. Postage stamps and foreign money are not accept-
able.
Topes for the above courses are available from the National Audiovisual
Center, National Archives and Record Service, GSA, National Archives
Building, Room G-5, Washington, D.C. 20408.
Live Music Archive
Librivox Free Audio
Metropolitan Museum
Cleveland Museum of Art
Internet Arcade
Console Living Room
Books to Borrow
Open Library
TV News
Understanding 9/11