Cantonese Dictionary Vol. 15: 10 Greetings, Goodbyes & Everyday Courtesy Words

June 18, 2026

Bright neon signs on a Mong Kok street in Hong Kong at night

In Hong Kong, the right greeting opens every door — from the wet market vendor to the office boss. Volume 15 of the Cantonese Guy Dictionary covers the 10 most useful greetings, goodbyes and polite expressions that signal you actually understand the culture, not just the textbook.

Master these and you'll move through Cantonese-speaking spaces with the easy rhythm of a local — whether that's a dim sum hall in Tsim Sha Tsui or a yum cha brunch in San Francisco.

Bustling Central district street in Hong Kong filled with pedestrians, shops and signage — Central Hong Kong on a weekday — every encounter starts with a greeting. Photo via Pexels

The 10 Words

1. 你好

nei5 hou2 — Jyutping romanisation

Meaning: Hello (formal / first-meeting).

Explanation: Cantonese speakers actually use 你好 much less than Mandarin speakers. It sounds slightly stiff in casual settings — locals use it for introductions, business calls, or politely greeting strangers. Among friends, you'd skip it entirely and just ask what they're doing.

In real life: 你好,我叫阿明。(nei5 hou2, ngo5 giu3 aa3 ming4) — "Hello, my name is Ming."

2. 早晨

zou2 san4 — Jyutping romanisation

Meaning: Good morning.

Explanation: The universal Cantonese morning greeting — said to security guards, taxi drivers, the lady at the cha chaan teng, anyone you cross paths with before noon. It literally means "early morning," and it's warmer and more local than 你好.

In real life: 早晨!今日返工?(zou2 san4! gam1 jat6 faan1 gung1?) — "Morning! Working today?"

3. 拜拜

baai1 baai3 — Jyutping romanisation

Meaning: Bye-bye.

Explanation: Borrowed straight from English "bye-bye" but completely naturalised — Cantonese speakers use it everywhere, in person or hanging up the phone. It's casual but not childish.

In real life: 好啦,我走先,拜拜!(hou2 laa1, ngo5 zau2 sin1, baai1 baai3!) — "OK, I'm heading off, bye!"

4. 唔該

m4 goi1 — Jyutping romanisation

Meaning: Thank you (for a service) / Excuse me.

Explanation: The hardest-working two syllables in Cantonese. You use 唔該 to thank a waiter, get someone's attention on the MTR, ask for the bill, or pass through a crowd. It covers gratitude for everyday services — distinctly different from thanking someone for a gift.

In real life: 唔該,埋單!(m4 goi1, maai4 daan1!) — "Excuse me, the bill please!"

5. 多謝

do1 ze6 — Jyutping romanisation

Meaning: Thank you (for a gift or favour).

Explanation: The other kind of thank you. 多謝 is for genuine generosity — a gift, a favour, a compliment, a red packet. Mixing it up with 唔該 marks you instantly as a learner; locals navigate the distinction without thinking.

In real life: 多謝你份禮物呀!(do1 ze6 nei5 fan6 lai5 mat6 aa3!) — "Thanks so much for the present!"

Iconic Hong Kong tram passing through a Hong Kong Island street — The tram passing through Hong Kong Island — where you'll throw out 唔該 a dozen times a day. Photo via Pexels

6. 對唔住

deoi3 m4 zyu6 — Jyutping romanisation

Meaning: I'm sorry (sincere apology).

Explanation: The proper apology — for when you've actually done something wrong. Heavier than English "sorry," carrying a sense of accountability. You'd say it after breaking something, hurting someone's feelings, or being significantly late.

In real life: 對唔住,我遲到咗。(deoi3 m4 zyu6, ngo5 ci4 dou3 zo2.) — "Sorry, I'm late."

7. 唔好意思

m4 hou2 ji3 si1 — Jyutping romanisation

Meaning: Excuse me / Sorry (light).

Explanation: The softer cousin of 對唔住. Literally "not good feeling" — used to politely interrupt, ask a small favour, or apologise for a tiny inconvenience like bumping into someone. Essential for everyday social friction.

In real life: 唔好意思,可唔可以借個位?(m4 hou2 ji3 si1, ho2 m4 ho2 ji5 ze3 go3 wai2?) — "Excuse me, can I borrow that seat?"

8. 食咗飯未呀

sik6 zo2 faan6 mei6 aa3 — Jyutping romanisation

Meaning: Have you eaten yet?

Explanation: Less a literal question than a greeting — the Cantonese equivalent of "how's it going?" Asking about food is asking about wellbeing, a habit rooted in generations when full bellies weren't guaranteed. Older relatives will text it daily; you don't need to answer with a menu.

In real life: 阿媽:食咗飯未呀?(aa3 maa1: sik6 zo2 faan6 mei6 aa3?) — "Mum: Have you eaten yet?"

9. 麻煩晒

maa4 faan4 saai3 — Jyutping romanisation

Meaning: Thanks for the trouble / Sorry to bother you.

Explanation: The phrase you use after someone has put in effort for you — a waiter who carried a stack of plates, a friend who went out of their way to help. It mixes apology and gratitude in one breath, and it's one of the most distinctly Cantonese courtesies.

In real life: 麻煩晒你呀!(maa4 faan4 saai3 nei5 aa3!) — "Thanks so much for the trouble!"

10. 慢慢行

maan6 maan2 haang4 — Jyutping romanisation

Meaning: Take care (literally "walk slowly").

Explanation: A warm Cantonese farewell, especially from older speakers — said when you leave their home or restaurant table. It's the polite opposite of "see you later" and carries genuine care: walk slowly, don't rush, get home safely.

In real life: 阿婆:慢慢行呀!(aa3 po4: maan6 maan2 haang4 aa3!) — "Grandma: Walk safely!"

Why These Words Matter

Cantonese politeness is less about grand formality and more about quick, well-timed warmth. A perfectly placed 唔該 to the dim sum trolley auntie, a 麻煩晒 to the taxi driver helping with your bags, a 慢慢行 to your grandmother as you leave her flat — these are the small social glue that holds Cantonese-speaking life together. Knowing the words is one thing; knowing when to drop each one is the real fluency.