Cantonese grammar #14: 57 Cantonese conjunctions 【五十七個廣東話連詞】

Introduction

Hey guys, welcome back to lesson 14 of the Cantonese grammar series! I’m super excited because we’re making definitive progress towards the end of the series, which has been all mapped out and will end in 25 lessons. And in today’s lesson, we’re going to cover possibly one of the most important topics for intermediate learners (which you are if you’re reading this!) – Cantonese conjunctions.

Okay, to start off with, let’s get the grammar jargon out of the way.

Video

 

Vocabulary

We have a huge lesson today, so you might want to use the Table of Contents to navigate to the section you want to read.

Cantonese	Jyutping	Meaning
避免	bei6 min5	to avoid
趕唔切	gon2 m4 cit3	to not be able to make it on time
長途機	coeng4 tou4 gei1	long distance flight
特登	dak6 dang1	on purpose
機場	gei1 coeng4	airport
謝曬	ze6 saai3	to be utterly spent
師奶	si1 naai1	middle aged housewife, usually plump
慳錢	haan1 cin2	to save money
翻報紙	faan1 bou3 zi2	to flip through newspapers
優惠券	jau1 wai6 gyun3	coupon
低俗	dai1 zuk6	lack of class
身無分文	gyun1 mou4 fan1 man4	penniless
被逼	bei6 bik1	to be forced to
剪報紙	zin2 bou3 zi2	to clip newspaper (articles, coupons)
諗法	lam2 faat3	way of thinking
慚愧	caam4 kwai3	to be ashamed
生果	saang1 gwo2	fruit
麵包	min6 baau1	bread
均衡營養	gwan1 hang4 jing4 joeng5	balanced nutrition
效果	haau6 gu2	effect
保持	bou2 ci4	to maintain
身心健康	san1 sam1 gin6 hong1	physical and mental health
填飽個肚	tin4 baau2 ge3 tou5	to fill oneself (in terms of food)
狀態	zong6 taai3	status
迎接	jing4 zip3	to embrace (as in challenges)
民生	man4 sang1	citizens’ livelihoods
圍繞	wai4 jiu2	to be oriented around
房屋供應	fong4 nguk1 gung1 jing3	housing supply
貧富懸殊	pan4 fu3 jyun4 syu4	income disparity
範疇	faan6 cau4	area; category
同意	tung4 ji3	to agree with
市民	si5 man4	citizen
放工	fong3 gung1	to get off work
翻去	faan1 heoi2	to return to
安樂舒適	ngon1 lok6 syu1 sik1	comfortable; cozy
竇	dau3	a den (colloquial way of referring to one’s home)
天下	tin1 haa5	the world (but usually used to refer to one’s nation)
民怨	man4 jyun3	discontent arising from citizens
老實講	lou5 sat6 gong2	to be honest
等於	dang2 jyu1	to equal to; to be the same as
磋商	co1 soeng1	to consult; to exchange views
學識	hok6 sik1	to learn how to
開拓視野	hoi1 taap3 si6 je5	to broaden one’s horizons
風情習俗	fung1 cing4 zaap6 zuk6	customs
有利於	jau5 lei6 jyu1	to be conducive to
延遲	jin4 ci4	delay
老人癡呆	lou5 jan4 ci1 ngoi4	Alzheimer’s disease
症狀	zing3 zong6	symptom
趁	can3	to take advantage of (as in “eat this while hot”)
後生	hau6 saang1	the young
鼓勵	gu2 lai6	to encourage
接觸	zip3 zuk1	to expose oneself to (as in opportunities)
平面	ping4 min2	a two dimensional surface
擠	zit1	to squeeze (as in out of a tube)
超能膠	ciu1 nang4 gaau1	super glue
建議	gin3 ji3	to suggest
擺	baai2	to put
砸	zaak6	to put a heavy object on top of something else
凝固	jing4 gu3	to solidify
熱身運動	jit6 san1 wan6 dung6	warm up exercise
公園	gung1 jyun2	park
跑步	paau2 bou6	to run
沖熱水涼	cung1 jit6 seoi2 loeng4	to take a hot shower
的而且確	di1 ji4 ce2 kok3	indeed
台灣	toi4 waan1	Taiwan
落機	lok6 gei1	to alight a flight
陌生感	mak6 sang1 gam2	a sense of foreignness
似曾相識	ci5 cang4 soeng1 sik1	déjà vu
新穎	san1 wing6	novel (as in new)
選擇	syun2 zaak6	to choose
留喺	lau4 hai2	to stay in (a place)
切記	cit3 gei3	you would do well to remember that…
適應	sik1 jing3	to adapt
時段	si4 dyun6	period of itme
錯過	co3 gwo1	to miss
後悔	hau6 fui3	to regret
法國	faat3 gwok3	France
加拿大	gaa1 naa4 daai6	Canada
雙語環境	soeng1 jyu5 waan4 ging2	bilingual environment
母語	mou5 jyu5	mother tongue
上海	soeng6 hoi2	Shanghai
大城市	daai6 sing4 si5	big city
鄧州	dang6 zau1	Dengzhou, a city in Hunan, China
江山	gong1 saan1	Jiangshan, a city in Zhejiang, China
走勻全中國	zau2 wan4 cyun4 zung1 gwok3	to have travelled all over China
市面上	si5 min6 soeng6	in the market (as in consumer market)
消費者	siu1 fai3 ze2	consumer
蘋果三星	ping4 gwo2 saam1 sing1	Apple and Samsung
品牌	ban2 paai4	brand
諾基亞	nok6 gei1 aa3	Nokia
小時	siu2 si4	hour
無影無蹤	mou4 jing2 mou4 zung1	without a trace
宗旨	zung1 zi2	purpose
全心全力	cyun4 sam1 cyun4 lik6	to the best of one’s ability
心不在焉	sam1 bat1 zoi6 jin4	to be absentminded
浪費	long6 fai3	to waste
天氣預測	tin1 hei3 jyu6 caak1	weather forecast
豪雨	hou4 jyu5	heavy rain
臨時	lam4 si4	temporary
室內場地	sat1 noi6 coeng4 dei6	indoor venue
直接	zik6 zip3	directly
取消	ceoi2 siu1	to cancel
清淡	cing1 daam6	light (as in the opposite of heavy foods)
盡量	zeon6 loeng6	as much as possible
糖分	tong4 fan6	sugar
有氣	jau5 hei3	carbonated (as in drinks)
時光倒流	si4 gwong1 dou2 lau4	to go back in time
改變	goi2 bin3	to change
保留	bou2 lau4	to retain
過去	gwo3 heoi3	past
世界各地	sai3 gaai3 go3 dei6	all around the world
作為	zok3 wai4	as a (as in “as a teacher”, “as a mother”)
好奇	hou3 kei4	to be curious
外國定居	ngoi6 gwok3 ding6 geoi1	to settle in a foreign country
再三	zoi3 saam1	repeatedly
勸	hyun3	to advise
窩輪	wo1 leon2	warrant (a financial derivative product)
結構	git3 kau3	structure
運作	wan6 zok3	to operate
衍生工具	hin2 sang1 gung1 geoi6	derivatives (financial)
危險	ngai4 him2	danger
攞筆錢	lo1 bat1 cin2	to take out a sum of money
輸曬	syu1 saai3	to lose all (that one has invested in)
塞	sak1	to stuff into
銀紙	ngan4 zi2	money (usually bills, not coins)
銀包	ngan2 baau1	wallet
笑	siu3	to laugh
喊	haam3	to cry
不足之處	bat1 zuk1 zi1 cyu5	inadequacies
同事	tung4 si6	colleague
多多見諒	do1 do1 gin3 loeng6	please forgive me
氹	tam3	to mollify; to placate
道歉	dou6 hip3	to apologize
下午茶	haa6 m5 caa4	afternoon tea
西班牙文	sai1 baan1 ngaa4 man2	Spanish (the language)
接受教育	zip3 sau6 gaau1 juk6	to have received education
通過	tung1 gwo1	through
長期	coeng4 kei4	long term
自學	zi6 hok6	self study
流利	lau4 lei6	fluent
溝通	kau1 tung1	communication
值得	zik6 dak1	to be worth it
事物	si6 mat6	things
新生活	san1 sang1 wut6	new life
困難	kwan3 naan4	difficult
放慢步伐	fong3 maan6 bou6 fat6	to slow down one’s pace
欣賞	jan1 soeng2	to appreciaet
周邊	zau1 bin1	around
深入	sam1 jap6	deeply
體驗人生	tai2 jim6 jan4 sang1	to experience life
資源	zi1 jyun4	resources
投放	tau4 fong3	to invest (resources, time, money)
講出嚟	gong2 ceot1 lai2	to say something out loud
推咗人哋	teoi1 zo2 jan4 dei6	to decline / reject (as in a proposal, a request)
最尾	zeoi3 mei1	at the end of the day
交功課	gaau1 gung1 fo3	to deliver (on one’s promises)
過目不忘	gwo1 muk6 bat1 mong4	to have an eidetic memory
睇書	tai2 syu1	to read
消化	siu1 faa3	to digest (figurative and literal)
鞏固	gung2 gu3	to consolidate
知識	zi1 sik1	knowledge
概念	koi2 nim6	concept
課堂	fo3 tong4	classroom
內容	noi6 jung4	content
長時間	coeng4 si4 gaan3	long time
搵到份好工	wan2 dou2 fan6 hou2 gung1	to find a good job
需要	seoi1 jiu3	to need
投資	tau4 zi1	investment
熱帶氣候	jit6 daai3 hei3 hau6	tropical climate
北美洲	bak1 mei5 zau1	North America
北歐	bak1 au1	Northern Europe
冰天雪地	bing1 tin1 syut3 dei6	a very cold place
長期居住	coeng4 kei4 geoi1 zyu6	to settle long term in a place
部件	bou6 gin2	parts (of a car, an apparel of some sort)
設計	cit3 gai3	design
唔准走	m4 zeon2 zau2	not allowed to leave
網上留言	mong5 soeng6 lau4 jin4	to leave feedback online
整錶	zing2 biu1	to fix a watch
錶匠	biu1 zoeng6	watchmaker
服務態度	fuk6 mou6 taai3 dou6	service (attitude)
嫌我煩	jim4 ngo5 faan4	to be irritated by me
加工	gaa1 gung1	to put extra work into; to rework something
滿意	mun5 ji3	to be satisfied
老一輩嘅師傅	lou5 jat1 bui3 ge3 si1 fu2	masters (of a particular trade) from an older generation
名不虛傳	meng4 bat1 heoi1 cyun4	a well deserved reputation
肯定	hang2 deng6	to be sure; surely
喺埋一齊	hai2 maai4 jat1 cai4	to be together (as in a romantic relationship)
用翻	jung6 faan1	to resort to
熟悉	suk6 sik1	familiar
工作場地	gung1 zok3 coeng4 dei6	workplace
法律	faat3 leot6	legal
行業	hong4 jip6	industry
絕對	zyut6 deoi3	certainly
容許	jung4 heoi2	to allow
絲毫	si1 hou4	slightest
錯誤	co3 ng6	error
陣間	zan6 gaan1	in a bit
麻煩你	maa4 faan4 nei5	could I trouble you to…
講聲哈囉	gong2 seng1 haa1 lou2	to say “hi”
一場演講	jat1 coeng4 jin2 gong2	a speech
交畀你	gaau1 bei2 nei5	to leave it to someone
做好準備	zou6 hou2 zeon2 bei6	to be prepared
交接工作	gaau1 zip3 gung1 zok3	handover (as in at work)
結婚	git3 fan1	marriage
人生	jan4 sang1	life
終身大事	zung1 san1 daai6 si6	a major event in one’s life (esp. marriage)
輕率	hing1 seot1	to be reckless
三思而後行	saam3 si1 ji4 hau6 hang4	to think thrice before acting
悔婚	fui3 fan1	to be regretful of one’s marriage
半夜三更	bun3 je6 saam1 gaang1	very late at night
咁鬼死嘈	gam3 gwai2 sei2 cou4	so friggin’ loud
搖滾音樂	jiu4 gwan2 jam1 ngok6	rock music
嘈醒	cou4 seng2	to wake (sb) up
隔離鄰舍	gaak3 lei4 leon4 se5	neighbours
曱甴	gaat6 zaat2	cockroach
願意	jyun6 ji3	to be willing to
上台	soeng5 toi4	to get on stage
躝街精	laan1 gaai1 zing1	a colloquial term to describe someone who loves to stay out of the house outside
掃街	sou3 gaai1	to sweep streets
做總統	zou6 zung2 tung2	to be president
爹地媽咪	de1 di4 maa1 mi4	mum and dad
干涉	gon1 sip3	to interfere with
希望	hei1 mong6	to hope
陪伴	pui4 bun6	to accompany
一世人	jat1 sai3 jan4	the entirety of one’s life
鋪頭	pou3 tau2	store
網上	mong5 soeng6	online
補品	bou2 ban2	health supplement
真心	zan1 sam1	sincere
虛心	heoi1 sam1	modest
師傅	si1 fu2	master
收你為徒	sau1 nei5 wai4 tou4	to take sb on as one’s apprentice
恆心	hang4 sam1	perseverance
鐵柱	tit3 cyu5	iron rods
磨成針	mo4 sing4 zam1	to ground into a needle
考試	haau2 si3	examination
盡情咁玩	zeon6 cing4 gam2 waan2	to enjoy one’s free time to the fullest
臨考試	lam4 haau2 si3	right around one’s exam
瞓覺	fan3 gaau3	to sleep
確保	kok3 bou2	to ensure
心理狀態	sam1 lei5 zong6 taai3	mental state
應付考試	jing1 fu6 haau2 si3	to deal with exams
專家	zyun1 gaa1	expert
預設	jyu6 cit3	predesigned; preset
程序	cing4 zeoi6	program
舒暢	syu1 coeng3	comfortable; relaxing
放鬆身心	fong3 sung1 san1 sam1	to relax one’s body and mind
睡眠質素	seoi6 min4 zat1 sou3	quality of sleep
有所改善	jau5 so2 goi2 sin6	to describe sth that has shown signs of improvement
飲酒	jam2 zau2	to drink (alcohol)
千祈	cin1 kei4	please please please don’t
揸車	zaa1 ce1	to drive a car
危及生命	ngai4 kap6 sang1 ming6	to endager others
路人	lou6 jan4	passerbys
近排	gan6 paai2	Proximal row
癐	gui6	to be tired
三字經	saam1 zi6 ging1	the Trimetric Classic, a collection of wisdom presented to children in three worded verses
發憤圖強	faat3 fan5 tou4 koeng4	to set about to achieve something with dogged determination
老年	lou5 nin4	the elderly
後悔莫及	hau6 fui3 mok6 gap6	to be too late for regrets
砌	cai3	to build
床	cong4	bed
舉手	geoi2 sau2	to raise one’s hand
介意	gaai3 ji3	to mind
諗唔通	lam2 m4 tung1	to not be able to understand
南非	naam4 fei1	South Africa
留學	lau4 hok6	to study abroad
轉登	zyun1 dang1	deliberately
陷入	ham6 jap6	to fall into (e.g. despair)
失去希望	sat1 heoi2 hei1 mong6	to lose hope
狀態	zong6 taai3	status; condition
遇到	jyu6 dou3	to meet; to encounter
治療師	zi6 liu4 si1	therapist
耐心	noi6 sam1	patient
訴苦	sou3 fu2	to complain
解開心結	gaai2 hoi1 sam1 git3	to get a few things off one’s chest (literally “to untie one’s heart knots”)
回歸正軌	wui4 gwai1 zing3 gwai2	to get back on track; to return to normal
單獨作戰	daan1 duk6 zok3 zin3	to fly solo
肯	hang2	to be willing to
尋求幫助	cam4 kau4 bong1 zo6	to seek help
社會	se5 wui2	society
有心人	jau5 sam1 jan4	kind hearted individuals
伸出援手	san1 ceot1 wun4 sau2	to lend a helping hand
逃脫困境	tou4 tyut3 kwan3 ging2	to escape a dilemma
癡住張凳	ci1 zyu6 zoeng1 dang3	to be stuck to a chair (someone who likes sitting)
郁	juk1	to move
勸告	hyun3 gou3	advice
恰當	hap1 dong1	appropriate
安排	ngon1 paai4	to arrange
作息時間	zok3 sik1 si4 gaan3	resting time
每隔一兩個鐘	mui5 gaak3 jat1 loeng5 go3 zung1	every one to two hours
企起身	kei5 hei2 san1	to stand up
周圍走下	zau1 wai4 zau2 haa5	to walk around
明顯	ming4 hin2	obvious
輕快	hing1 faai3	brisk
休息室	jau1 sik1 sat1	lounge
打坐	daa2 zo6	to meditate
漸漸	zim6 zim6	gradually
忘記	mong4 gei3	to forget
習慣	zaap6 gwaan3	habit
離婚	lei4 fan1	divorce
反叛	faan2 bun6	to be rebellious
心理影響	sam1 lei5 jing2 hoeng2	psychological impact
搬去	bun1 heoi2	to move to
呼吸系統	fu1 kap1 hai6 tung2	respiratory system
鼻敏感	bei6 man5 gam2	rhinitis
嚴重	jim4 zung6	serious
空氣質素	hung1 hei3 zat1 sou3	air quality
不容忽視	bat1 jung4 fat1 si6	sth that’s too important to be ignored
睇我唔過眼	tai2 ngo5 m4 gwo3 ngaan5	to not see eye to eye with someone
算喇	syun3 laak3	forget about it
總言之	zung2 jin4 zi1	in any case
從此	cung4 ci2	from now on
河水不犯井水	ho4 seoi2 bat1 faan6 zeng2 seoi2	let’s each mind our own business
彼此不相干犯	bei2 ci2 bat1 soeng1 gon1 faan6	to not step into each other’s territory
集中力	zaap6 zung1 lik6	concentration
勁	ging6	amazing
廢寢忘餐	fai3 cam2 mong4 caan1	to “expel sleep and forget meals”, an idiom used to describe someone who’s in an intense state of focus
擔心	daam1 sam1	to worry
身體狀況	san1 tai2 zong6 fong3	physical condition
行	hong4	a row; an aisle
集合	zaap6 hap6	to gather; to assemble
帶齊	daai2 cai4	to bring along (all)
個人證件	go3 jan4 zing3 gin2	personal identification documents
起飛	hei2 fei1	to take off
集體	zaap6 tai2	collectively
登記手續	dang1 gei1 sau2 zuk6	boarding procedure
去旅行	heoi3 leoi5 hang4	to travel
現金	jin6 gam1	cash
數據卡	sou3 geoi3 kaat1	data card
紙巾	zi2 gan1	tissue
正式	zing3 sik1	formal
翻譯訓練	faan1 jik6 fan3 lin6	translation training
語感	jyu5 gam2	to have a good ear / intuition for a language
基本上	gei1 bun2 soeng6	basically
督促	duk1 cuk1	to supervise
指導	zi2 dou6	to guide
一篇翻譯	jat1 pin1 faan1 jik6	a translation (篇 is the measure word)
高質量	gou1 zat1 loeng6	high quality
項目	hong6 muk6	project
一無所知	jat1 mou4 so2 zi1	to know absolutely nothing about
基於	gei1 jyu1	based on
第一印象	dai6 jat1 jan3 zoeng6	first impressions
信心	seon3 sam1	confidence
團隊	tyun4 deoi2	team
絕對	zyut3 deoi3	absolutely
講師	gong2 si1	lecturer
重複	cung4 fuk1	to repeat
課堂	fo3 tong4	classroom
思考	si1 haau2	to think
方便	fong1 bin6	convenient
後排	hau6 paai4	the back row
翻睇	faan1 tai2	to look over
巴黎	baa1 lai4	Paris
名義上	ming4 ji6 soeng6	in name (as in the opposite of “in practice”)
提高水平	tai4 gou1 seoi2 ping4	to improve one’s level in a particular skill
厭倦	jim1 gyun6	to be weary of
重拾心情	cung4 sap6 sam1 cing4	to re-orient oneself (esp. at work)
一心一意	jat1 sam1 jat1 ji3	single mindedly
投入工作	tau4 jap6 gung1 zok3	to immerse oneself in work
作嘔	zok3 au2	someone who looks like they’re about to hurl
兜	dau1	a container; a bucket
畏高	wai3 gou1	fear of heights
教練	gaau3 lin6	coach
破例	po3 lai6	to make an exception
免咗	min5 zo2	to exempt sb. from sth.
笨豬跳	ban6 zyu1 tiu3	bungee jumping
環節	waan4 zit3	a segment
大部分	daai6 bou6 fan6	the majority
母語	mou5 jyu5	mother tongue
語系	jyu5 hai6	language family
相關	soeng1 gwaan1	related
俄文	ngo4 man4	Russian (the language)
阿拉伯文	aa3 laai1 baak3 man4	Arabic (the language)
印度文	jan3 dou6 man2	Hindi (the language)
遲到	ci4 dou3	to be late
帶	daai3	to take
一份文件	jat1 fan6 man4 gin2	a document
罰	fat6	to punish
請食飯	ceng2 sik6 faan6	to treat someone to a meal
磨牙	mo4 ngaa4	bruxism
現象	jin6 zoeng6	phenomenon
考慮	haau2 leoi6	to consider
轉校	zyun3 haau6	to change schools
待人有禮	doi6 jan4 jau5 lai5	to be well mannered
品學兼優	ban2 hok6 gim1 jau1	an idiom used to describe sb who has an excellent academic track record
魅力	mei6 lik6	charm
難怪	naan4 gwaai3	it’s no wonder that…
受人歡迎	sau6 jan4 fun1 jing4	to be popular
煮食	zyu2 sik6	cooking
油滾熟	jau4 gwan2 suk6	to heat up (cooking) oil
材料	coi4 liu2	ingredients
鑊	wok6	Chinese wok
炒	caau2	stir fry
烹飪節目	paang1 jam5 zit3 muk6	cooking show
生油	saang1 jau4	raw cooking oil
偷懶	tau1 laan5	to be lazy
主持	zyu2 ci4	host (of a show)
首先	sau2 sin1	first of all
聽寫讀講	teng1 se2 duk6 gong2	listening, writing, reading, speaking
混淆	wan6 ngaau4	to confuse between
挫折	co3 zit3	to be frustrated over
入屋	jap6 nguk1	to enter one’s house
一大朕味	jat1 daai6 zam6 mei6	a very strong smell
出自于	ceot1 zi6 jyu1	out of (respect, friendship, etc.)
友誼	jau5 ji4	friendship
尊重	zyun1 zung6	respect
在場	zoi6 coeng4	present (as in “those who are present”)
微笑	mei4 siu3	to smile
臭豆腐	cau3 dau6 fu6	stinky tofu
納豆	naap6 dau2	natto (Japanese fermented beans)
瑞士	seoi6 si6	Switzerland
鹽醃鯡魚	jim4 jim1 fei1 jyu2	surströmming (fermented Swedish herring)
榴蓮	lau4 lin4	durian
家境	gaa1 ging2	family background
偏見	pin1 gin3	bias
人格	jan4 gaak3	personality
形容	jing4 jung4	to describe
直覺	zik6 gok3	intuition
可信	ho2 seon3	credible
搞錯	gaau2 co3	to be mistaken about
掗時間	aa6 sik4 gaan3	to shilly shally; to stall for time
完整	jyun4 zing2	complete
次序搞亂	ci3 zeoi6 gaau2 lyun6	to mess up the order of something
整合	zing2 hap6	to consolidate; to tidy up
平時	ping4 si4	usually
政治	zing3 zi6	politics
宗教	zung1 gaau3	religion
理念	lei5 nim6	ideals
共通點	gung6 tung1 dim2	commonalities
唔熟	m4 suk6	to be unfamiliar with
無啦啦	mou4 laa1 laa1	suddenly
疑犯	ji4 faan2	suspect
私人	si1 jan4	private
財務記錄	coi4 mou6 gei2 luk6	financial records
發現	faat3 jin6	to discover
單 case	daan1 case	a case (“單” is the measure word)
手頭上	sau2 tau4 soeng6	on hand
一幅相	jat1 fuk1 soeng2	a photo
證據	zing3 geoi3	evidence
顯示	hin2 si6	to indicate
讀心術	duk6 sam1 seot6	mind reading
心理學家	sam1 lei5 hok6 gaa1	psychologist
閑日	haan4 jat2	working days (Mondays to Fridays)
唔舒服	m4 syu1 fuk6	to be unwell
延遲	jin4 ci4	to delay
堅信	gin1 seon3	to firmly believe
地球	dei6 kau4	Earth
宇宙	jyu5 zau6	universe
唯一	wai4 jat1	only
生命體	sang1 ming6 tai2	life form
星球	sing1 kau4	planet
嘗試	soeng4 si3	to try to
衛星	wai6 sing1	satellite
探測儀器	taam3 caak1 ji4 hei3	detection equipment
狀況	zong6 fong3	situation
外星人	ngoi6 sing1 jan4	alien
存在	cyun4 zoi6	to exist
進行接觸	zeon3 hang4 zip3 zuk1	to initiate contact
彈	daan6	to flick
過數據	gwo1 sok3 geoi3	to transfer data (a colloquial way of saying transfer)
諗返轉頭	lam2 faan1 zyun3 tau4	thinking back
放咗層樓	fong3 zo2 cang4 lau2	to “let go” of one’s property (to sell real estate, usually an apartment)
樓價	lau4 gaa3	property prices
飆升	biu1 sing1	to soar (usually prices)
債	zaai3	debt
不可告人	bat1 ho2 gou3 jan4	sth that cannot be divulged with others
苦衷	fu2 cung1	difficulties
跨國婚姻	kwaa1 gwok3 fan1 jan1	mixed marriage
衍生	hin2 sang1	to lead to
倉鼠	cong1 syu2	hamster
老鼠	lou5 syu2	mouse
交罰款	gaau1 fat6 fun2	to pay a fine
擺到明	baai2 dou3 ming4	obviously
俾人屈	bei2 jan4 wat1	to be calumniated
原則	jyun4 zak1	principle
出席活動	ceot1 zik6 wut6 dung6	to attend an event
入境事務處	jap6 ging2 si6 mou6 cyu5	Immigration Office
領取身份證	ling5 ceoi2 san1 fan2 zing3	to collect one’s identity card
前景	cin4 ging2	prospect
移民	ji4 man4	immigrant
拍	paak3	to pat (one’s pocket)
褲袋	fu3 doi6	pocket (in trousers, pants)
驚	geng1	to be scared
鎖匙	so2 si4	keys
成員	sing4 jyun4	member
契媽	kai3 maa1	godmother
好意	hou2 ji3	good intentions
擺喺心上	baai2 hai2 sam1 soeng6	to mind
波蘭文	bo1 laan4 man2	Polish (the language)
言行舉止	jin4 hang4 geoi2 zi2	demeanour
不滿	bat1 mun5	to be dissatisfied
說服	seoi3 fuk6	to convince
嚟遲咗一步	lai2 ci4 zo2 jat1 bou6	to be late by one step
走勻全世界	zau2 wan4 cyun4 sai3 gaai3	to have travelled all around the world
羨慕死人	sin6 mou6 sei2 jan4	sth or sb that makes others envious
倉魚	cong1 jyu2	pomfret (a flat kind of fish commonly sold in Hong Kong markets)
煎	zin1	pan fried
上咗個湯	soeng5 zo2 go3 tong1	to serve soup
醒	seng2	to be awake
騷擾	sou1 jiu2	to harass; to disturb
水煮魚	seoi2 zyu2 jyu2	Sichuan boiled fish
一層油	jat1 cang4 jau4	a layer of oil
反胃	faan2 wai6	nausea
平凡	ping4 faan4	ordinary
條件成熟	tiu4 gin2 sing4 suk6	when the conditions ripen
發揮潛能	faat3 fai1 cim4 nang4	to unleash one’s potential
意想不到	ji3 soeng2 bat1 dou3	unprecedented
二手消息	ji6 sau2 siu1 sik1	second hand news
判斷	pun3 dyun3	to judge
金融產品	gam1 jung4 caan2 ban2	financial product
優劣	jau1 lyut3	pros and cons
落功夫	lok6 gung1 fu1	to put in some effort
表現	biu2 jin6	performance
因素	jan1 sou3	factor
風險	fung1 him2	risk
第時	dai6 si4	the future
靠人	kaau3 jan4	to rely on others
精明	zing1 ming4	shrewd
抉擇	kyut3 zaak6	decision
一碟餸	jat1 dip6 sung3	a dish (“碟” is the measure word, it means “plateful”)
倒瀉	dou2 se2	to spill
客人	haak3 jan4	guest
發嬲	faat3 nau1	to have a fit of anger
藉口	zik6 hau2	excuse
歌劇	go1 kek6	opera
胸襟廣闊	hung1 kam1 gwong2 fut3	broad minded
客	haak3	customer
食藥	sik6 joek6	to take medicine
好轉	hou2 zyun2	improvement (as in a medical condition)
跡象	zik1 zoeng6	signs
神奇	san4 kei4	magical
承認過失	sing4 jing6 gwo3 sat1	to admit to one’s mistakes
自我反省	zi6 ngo5 faan2 sing2	self-reflection
推卸責任	teoi1 se3 zaak3 jam6	to apportionate blame
敷衍塞責	fu1 hin2 sak1 zaak3	perfunctory, to shirk away from responsibility
強烈	koeng4 lit6	strongly
炒咗佢	caau2 zo2 keoi5	to fire him/her
天資	tin1 zi1	inborn talents
氣餒	hei3 neoi5	to be discouraged
下定決心	haa6 ding6 kyut3 sam1	to be determined
加倍努力	gaa1 pui5 nou5 lik6	to double one’s effort
鞏固基礎	gung2 gu3 gei1 co2	to consolidate one’s fundamentals
將勤補拙	zoeng1 kan4 bou2 zyut3	to work hard to make up for one’s shortcomings
堅持	gin1 ci4	to persevere
唔俾學生	m4 bei2 hok6 saang1	to not allow students
寫筆記	se2 bat1 gei3	to jot down notes
鼓勵	gu2 lai6	to encourage
活學活用	wut6 hok6 wut6 jung6	to learn and apply those learnings to one’s life
咪書	mai1 syu1	literally, to be glued to a book, a colloquial derogatory expression alluding to the ineffectiveness of rote studying
文法	man4 faat3	grammar
死背	sei2 bui6	to memorizing (usually without understanding)
誤會	ng6 wui6	to misunderstand
邀請	jiu1 cing2	to invite
嘈交	cou4 gaau1	to have an argument with
邀請函	jiu1 cing2 haam4	invitation
數學	sou3 hok6	mathematics
閱讀能力	jyut6 duk6 nang4 lik6	reading ability
初等教育	co1 dang2 gaau3 juk6	primary education
良好	loeng4 hou2	good
理財觀念	lei5 coi4 gun1 nim6	ideas to do with managing one’s finances
時間觀念	si4 gaan3 gun1 nim6	one’s concept of time
健康飲食	gin6 hong1 jam2 sik6	healthy diet
灌輸	gun3 syu1	to instill
辣嘢	laat6 je5	spicy foods
料理	liu6 lei5	cuisine
練琴	lin6 kam4	to practise playing the piano
七七八八	cat1 cat1 baat3 baat3	to be in a state of nearly done (literally 70-80% done)
安全起見	ngon1 cyun4 hei2 gin3	for safety’s sake
病人	beng6 jan4	patient
觀察	gun1 caat3	to observe
病情復發	beng6 cing4 fuk6 faat3	relapse
動心	dung6 sam1	when the heart “flutters”, usually points to what one feels in the context of puppy love
重疊範圍	cung4 dip6 faan6 wai4	area of overlap
可望不可求	ho2 mong6 bat1 ho2 kau4	sth that can only be had and not sought
聰明	cung1 ming4	clever
善良	sin6 loeng4	kind
為人著想	wai6 jan4 zoek6 soeng2	to be considerate towards others
尊老敬幼	zeon1 lou5 ging3 jau3	to be respectful towards the elderly and the young
細路	sai3 lou2	younger brother
道德觀念	dou3 dak1 gun1 nim6	moral values
相反	soeng1 faan2	in contrast

What are Cantonese conjunctions, or conjunctions in general?

You might know conjunctions by another name: linking words. They’re words like “and”, “but”, “or” that link two standalone phrases together, while showing a particular relationship between these phrases.

Do not underestimate the power of conjunctions. At a higher level when you’re concerned with speaking well, using Cantonese conjunctions correctly will be the difference between speaking coherently or not.

And in no particular order, here are 57 of the most commonly seen / used Cantonese conjunctions, along with, of course, plenty of sample sentences to boot.

Why I presented Cantonese conjunctions this way

This could easily have been spread into 57 separate lessons for a lesson in languages like Japanese or Korean. For Cantonese, however, the lack of the notion of “conjugation” really makes it difficult to justify so many separate lessons for what’s obviously a unified class of words.

In many cases, especially from now on, (since you guys are no longer beginners), you’ll really start to feel the distinction between “grammar” / “structures” and “vocabulary” blur considerably.

But don’t worry about it – as long as you keep learning about these fundamental building blocks of Cantonese, you can be assured that you’re making definite progress towards fluency.

At this point, I would also encourage you to start exposing yourself to more authentic Cantonese media. While listening to the news might still be a bit tough, this would be the point I’d start to recommend watching TV series, especially family themed ones like 愛回家, which, as of this writing, spans a mega series of over 1355 episodes at 20 minutes in length each.

While it may seem like a stretch to go this far just to “strengthen your fundamentals”, I can assure you that if you consolidate your understanding of these basic structures with natural, real life examples, you’ll soon start to attune your mind to situations where these expressions naturally pop up, and develop an intuition for how to use these building blocks correctly – none of which is “teachable” – this is something you’ll have to develop yourself.

Once again, don’t worry – this is a marathon, not a sprint! As long as you’re enjoying the content you’re using (hopefully beyond what you’re learning here at Cantolounge), and you’re enjoying the Cantonese language, you can’t go wrong.

I hope you have a cup of coffee ready in front of you (if you drink coffee), because this is going to be a long ride!

Okay, enough chit chat, let’s get started.

*Note: I realize that there are a few words that wouldn’t ordinarily be listed as “Cantonese conjunctions”, but I threw them in there anyway, because I feel that this set of words are used very often in Cantonese, and there’s value in including them and sharing some cool examples.

57 Cantonese conjunctions – The Showdown

Here goes.

Cantonese conjunction #1: 為咗 wai6 zo2 in order to

 

為咗 + phrase

 

為咗避免趕唔切班長途機嘅情況，我今朝早特登比平時早咗成兩個鐘到機場，頭先又冇食嘢，所以而家成個人謝曬。

wai4 zo2 bei6 min5 gon2 m4 cit3 baan1 coeng4 tou4 gei1 ge3 cing4 fong3 ，ngo5 gam1 ziu1 zou2 dak6 dang1 bei2 ping4 si4 zou2 zo2 sing4 loeng5 go3 zung1 dou3 gei1 coeng4 ，tau4 sin1 jau6 mou5 sik6 je5 ，so2 ji5 ji4 gaa1 sing4 go3 jan4 ze6 saai3 。

In order to avoid the situation  where I miss my long distance flight, I arrived at the airport two hours earlier than usual this morning on purpose, plus I didn’t eat anything, so I’m thoroughly exhausted right now.

 

好多師奶為咗慳錢都會每日翻報紙搵優惠券剪出嚟用，我以前會睇唔起班師奶，覺得咁樣做好低俗，但係而家身無分文嘅我日日被逼剪報紙之後對於以前嘅諗法感到慚愧。

hou2 do1 si1 naai1 wai6 zo2 haan1 cin2 dou1 wui5 mui5 jat6 faan1 bou3 zi2 wan2 jau1 wai6 hyun3 zin2 ceot1 lai4 jung6 ，ngo5 ji5 cin4 wui5 tai2 m4 hei2 baan1 si1 naai1 ，gok3 dak1 gam2 joeng2 zou6 hou2 dai1 zuk6 ，daan6 hai6 ji4 gaa1 san1 mou4 fan1 man4 ge3 ngo5 jat6 jat6 bei6 bik1 zin2 bou3 zi2 zi1 hau6 deoi3 jyu1 ji5 cin4 ge3 lam2 faat3 gam2 dou3 caam4 kwai5 。

In order to save money, a lot of housewives leaf through newspapers and cut out coupons, something I used to look down upon in the past, because I consider coupon clipping to be a classless act, but now that I’m penniless and am forced to do the same, I’ve come to regret such thoughts I entertained in the past.

Cantonese conjunction #2: 同埋 tung4 maai4 and

 

first thing + 同埋 + second thing

 

我一般嚟講朝頭早都會食生果、麵包同埋雞蛋，希望可以做到均衡營養嘅效果，保持身心健康，填飽個肚以最好嘅狀態迎接新嘅一日。

Generally speaking, I have fruit, bread and eggs in the morning, in order to achieve nutritional balance, to maintain a healthy physical and mental state, and to welcome a new day’s challenges in peak condition.

ngo5 jat1 bun1 lai4 gong2 ziu1 tau4 zou2 dou1 wui5 sik6 saang1 gwo2 、min6 baau1 tung4 maai4 gai1 daan2 ，hei1 mong6 ho2 ji5 zou6 dou3 gwan1 hang4 jing4 joeng5 ge3 haau6 gwo2 ，bou2 ci4 san1 sam1 gin6 hong1 ，tin4 baau2 go3 tou5 ji5 zeoi3 hou2 ge3 zong6 taai3 jing4 zip3 san1 ge3 jat1 jat6 。

 

香港現時最大嘅民生問題主要都係圍繞房屋供應同埋貧富懸殊呢兩個範疇，其實我自己都同意嘅，我相信每一個香港市民每日放工可以返翻去一個安樂舒適嘅竇，天下嘅民怨都會少啲。

hoeng1 gong2 jin6 si4 zeoi3 daai6 ge3 man4 sang1 man6 tai4 zyu2 jiu3 dou1 hai6 wai4 jiu2 fong4 nguk1 gung1 jing3 tung4 maai4 pan4 fu3 jyun4 syu4 ne1 loeng5 go3 faan6 cau4 ，kei4 sat6 ngo5 zi6 gei2 dou1 tung4 ji3 ge3 ，ngo5 soeng1 seon3 mui5 jat1 go3 hoeng1 gong2 si5 man4 mui5 jat6 fong3 gung1 ho2 ji5 faan1 faan1 heoi3 jat1 go3 ngon1 lok6 syu1 sik1 ge3 dau3 ，tin1 haa6 ge3 man4 jyun3 dou1 wui5 siu2 di1 。

The largest problems to do with people’s livelihoods in Hong Kong right now are still housing supply and wealth disparity, which I agree with, I believe that if every Hong Kong citizen can get off work and return to a nice, cozy home, there’ll most certainly be fewer voices of complaints in society.

Cantonese conjunction #3: 而且 ji4 ce2 and

 

而且 + phrase

 

老實講我真係一啲都唔想去囉，首先，我又幫唔到啲乜，去咗即係等于冇去，而且同嗰度磋商嘅人完全唔識，今次都係唔啦。

lou5 sat6 gong2 ngo5 zan1 hai6 jat1 di1 dou1 m4 soeng2 heoi3 lo1 ，sau2 sin1 ，ngo5 jau6 bong1 m4 dou2 di1 mat1 ，heoi3 zo2 zik1 hai6 dang2 jyu4 mou5 heoi3 ，ji4 ce2 tung4 go2 dou6 co1 soeng1 ge3 jan4 jyun4 cyun4 m4 sik1 ，gam1 ci3 dou1 hai6 m4 laa3 。

In all honesty, I really don’t want to go, first of all, there’s nothing I can do to help, even if I did go, it’s like as if I hadn’t gone in the first place, and, I’ve never met the people we’re supposed to be dealing with, so I’m going to sit this one out this time.

 

學識講多一種語言可以幫我哋開拓視野，理解其他國家嘅風情習俗，而且有利於延遲老人癡呆嘅症狀，所以趁後生嗰陣我會好鼓勵大家接觸其他嘅語言。

hok6 sik1 gong2 do1 jat1 zung2 jyu5 jin4 ho2 ji5 bong1 ngo5 dei6 hoi1 tok3 si6 je5 ，lei5 gaai2 kei4 taa1 gwok3 gaa1 ge3 fung1 cing4 zaap6 zuk6 ，ji4 ce2 jau5 lei6 jyu1 jin4 ci4 lou5 jan4 ci1 ngoi4 ge3 zing3 zong6 ，so2 ji5 can3 hau6 saang1 go2 zan6 ngo5 wui5 hou2 gu2 lai6 daai6 gaa1 zip3 zuk1 kei4 taa1 ge3 jyu5 jin4 。

Learning to speak another language allows us to broaden our horizons, to understand another country’s customs and traditions, and is beneficial to delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s, so I high urge everyone to try out other languages while you’re still young.

Cantonese conjunction #4: 跟住 gan1 zyu6 and then

 

action A + 跟住 + action B

 

喺一個平面上面擠咗啲超能膠之後，我會建議擺一本好重嘅書砸喺上面，跟住等三十秒左右畀佢凝固。

hai2 jat1 go3 ping4 min6 soeng6 min6 zit1 zo2 di1 ciu1 nang4 gaau1 zi1 hau6 ，ngo5 wui5 gin3 ji5 baai2 jat1 bun2 hou2 cung5 ge3 syu1 zaak6 hai2 soeng6 min6 ，gan1 zyu6 dang2 saam1 sap6 miu5 zo2 jau2 bei2 keoi5 jing4 gu3 。

After squeezing out super glue on a flat surface, I recommend placing a very heavy book on top, and wait about 30 seconds for the adhesive to solidify.

 

我一般會喺屋企做咗熱身運動先，跟住落去附近嘅公園跑半個鐘，跑完步會返屋企沖個熱水涼。

ngo5 jat1 bun1 wui5 hai2 nguk1 kei2 zou6 zo2 jit6 san1 wan6 dung6 sin1 ，gan1 zyu6 lok6 heoi3 fu6 gan6 ge3 gung1 jyun2 paau2 bun3 go3 zung1 ，paau2 jyun4 bou6 wui5 faan1 nguk1 kei5 cung1 go3 jit6 seoi2 loeng4 。

Usually, I try to do warm up exercises at home first, and then I’ll go to the park and jog for half an hour, before coming back home to have a hot shower.

Cantonese conjunction #5: 但係、不過 daan6 hai6 / bat1 gwo3 but

 

但係 / 不過 + phrase

 

As you can see, I’ve listed two words for but here. In the sense of the word “but”, I don’t think there are any differences between the two, and it’s okay to treat them interchangeably. However, do note that 不過, when compounded with other words, or when used for other purposes other than “but” has applications that do NOT overlap with 但係.

 

我的而且確冇去過台灣，但係我第一日到咗台灣落機之後一啲陌生感都冇，我反而感到一種似曾相識嘅感覺，有少少新穎，但係亦都有少少好似家嘅感覺。

ngo5 dik1 ji4 ce2 kok3 mou5 heoi3 gwo3 toi4 waan1 ，daan6 hai6 ngo5 dai6 jat1 jat6 dou3 zo2 toi4 waan1 lok6 gei1 zi1 hau6 jat1 di1 mak6 sang1 gam2 dou1 mou5，ngo5 faan2 ji4 gam2 dou3 jat1 zung2 ci5 cang4 soeng1 sik1 ge3 gam2 gok3 ，jau5 siu2 siu2 san1 wing6 ，daan6 hai6 jik6 dou1 jau5 siu2 siu2 hou2 ci5 gaa1 ge3 gam2 gok3 。

It’s true that I’ve never been to Taiwan, but the first day I got off the plane in Taiwan, I didn’t feel even an iota of foreignness, in contrast, I felt something akin to déjà vu, with a bit of novelty, and yet it feels like a place very similar to my hometown.

 

你可以選擇留喺呢度讀大學，不過你要切記，而家係你人生之中最容易適應新地方嘅時段，你錯過咗呢個機會，將來後悔都嚟唔切！

nei5 ho2 ji5 syun2 zaak6 lau4 hai2 ne1 dou6 duk6 daai6 hok6 ，bat1 gwo3 nei5 jiu3 cit3 gei3 ，ji4 gaa1 hai6 nei5 jan4 sang1 zi1 zung1 zeoi3 jung4 ji6 sik1 jing3 san1 dei6 fong1 ge3 si4 dyun6 ，nei5 co3 gwo3 zo2 ne1 go3 gei1 wui6 ，zoeng1 loi4 hau6 fui3 dou1 lai4 m4 cit3！

You can most certainly stay here for your university studies, but keep this in mind, you’re at the age where it’s relatively easy for you to get used to a new place, if you forgo this opportunity, you’ll come to regret it in the future!

Cantonese conjunction #6: 同…都冇、冇…亦都冇 tung4…dou1 mou5, mou5…jik6 dou1 mou5 neither…nor

“Neither…nor” isn’t a fixed construct like in English (as in something you’d explicitly see in a grammar book), rather it’s something we piece together with other words. I’ve listed two ways to translate “neither…nor”, and you can feel free to use them interchangeably. Note the difference in construction.

 

object 1 + 同 + object 2 + 都冇 + verb

 

我法國同加拿大都冇去過，但係我喺中法雙語環境長大，所以法文都算係我嘅母語。

ngo5 faat3 gwok3 tung4 gaa1 naa4 daai6 dou1 mou5 heoi3 gwo3 ，daan6 hai6 ngo5 hai2 zung1 faat3 soeng1 jyu5 waan4 ging2 zoeng2 daai6 ，so2 ji5 faat3 man2 dou1 syun3 hai6 ngo5 ge3 mou5 jyu5 。

I’ve neither been to France nor Canada, but because I grew up bilingually in Chinese and French, French also counts as my mother tongue.

 

冇 + verb + object 1, 亦都冇 + verb + object 2

 

我冇去過法國，亦都冇去過加拿大…

ngo5 mou5 heoi3 gwo3 faat3 gwok3 ，jik6 dou1 mou5 heoi3 gwo3 gaa1 naa4 daai6 …

I’ve never been to France, nor to Canada.

 

Let’s have a look at another example.

 

我住過好似香港同埋上海嘅大城市，亦都住過好似鄧州同埋江山嘅細城市，算得上走勻曬全中國嘅人。

ngo5 zyu6 gwo3 hou2 ci5 hoeng1 gong2 tung4 maai4 soeng5 hoi2 ge3 daai6 sing4 si5 ，jik6 dou1 zyu6 gwo3 hou2 ci5 dang6 zau1 tung4 maai4 gong1 saan1 ge3 sai3 sing4 si5 ，syun3 dak1 soeng5 zau2 wan4 saai3 cyun4 zung1 gwok3 ge3 jan4 。

I’ve lived in big cities like Hong Kong and Shanghai, but I’ve also lived in smaller cities like DengZhou and JiangShan, one can say I’ve really travelled across China.

 

My preference is with the second construct, because it’s easier to manipulate, but feel free to pick one you fancy.

Cantonese conjunction #7: 一係就…一係就 jat1 hai6 zau6…jat1 hai6 zau6 either…or

 

一係就 + option A, 一係就 + option B

 

而家市面上消費者一係就係用蘋果三星，一係就係用中國嘅品牌，好似以前諾基亞咁樣嘅大公司而家已經消失得無影無蹤啦。

ji4 gaa1 si5 min6 soeng6 siu1 fai3 ze2 jat1 hai6 zau6 hai6 jung6 ping4 gwo2 saam1 sing1 ，jat1 hai6 zau6 hai6 jung6 zung1 gwok3 ge3 ban2 paai4 ，hou2 ci5 ji5 cin4 nok6 gei1 ngaa3 gam2 joeng2 ge3 daai6 gung1 si1 ji4 gaa1 ji5 ging1 siu1 sat1 dak1 mou4 jing2 mou4 zung1 laa3 。

Consumers use either Apple or Samsung devices, or products made by Chinese brands, large corporations like Nokia have all but disappeared since.

 

我嘅個人宗旨好簡單：一係就唔做，一係就全心全力去做，做嘢心不在焉只會浪費時間。

ngo5 ge3 go3 jan4 zung1 zi2 hou2 gaan2 daan1 ：jat1 hai6 zau6 m4 zou6 ，jat1 hai6 zau6 cyun4 sam1 cyun4 lik6 heoi3 zou6 ，zou6 je5 sam1 bat1 zoi6 jin4 zi2 wui5 long6 fai3 si4 gaan3 。

My guiding principle in life is simple: either don’t attempt it, or if you do, go full out, because if you go in absentmindedly, you’re only going to waste time.

Cantonese conjunction #8: 或者 waak6 ze2 or

 

phrase A + 或者 + phrase B

 

天氣預測好似錯咗，而家睇住個天越嚟越黑，好似會豪雨咁，我建議臨時喺附近搵個室內嘅場地，或者直接取消個活動。

tin1 hei3 jyu6 caak1 hou2 ci5 co3 zo2 ，ji4 gaa1 tai2 zyu6 go3 tin1 jyut6 lai4 jyut6 hak1 ，hou2 ci5 wui5 hou4 jyu5 gam2 ，ngo5 gin3 ji5 lam4 si4 hai2 fu6 gan6 wan2 go3 sat1 noi6 ge3 coeng4 dei6 ，waak6 ze2 zik6 zip3 ceoi2 siu1 go3 wut6 dung6 。

The weather forecast seems to be wrong, the sky’s growing darker and darker as we speak, as if it’s going to rain heavily soon, I recommend that we find some indoors venue nearby, or just cancel the event altogether.

 

病嗰陣最好就飲返啲清淡啲嘅嘢，或者飲水，應該盡量避免飲過多糖分或者有氣嘅飲品。

beng6 go2 zan6 zeoi3 hou2 zau6 jam2 faan1 di1 cing1 daam6 di1 ge3 je5 ，waak6 ze2 jam2 seoi2 ，jing1 goi1 zeon6 loeng6 bei6 min5 jam2 gwo3 do1 tong4 fan1 waak6 ze2 jau5 hei3 ge3 jam2 ban2 。

When one is feeling unwell, it’s best to drink lighter fluids, or water in general, and avoid the consumption of sugary or carbonated drinks.

Cantonese conjunction #9: 定係 ding6 hai6 or (questions)

 

option A + 定係 + option B (questions only)

 

Please be aware that 或者 is to be used in statements only, and 定係 can only be used in questions. This is a case where they’re NOT interchangeable.

 

如果你可以時光倒流，你會選擇改變定係保留你嘅過去呢？

jyu4 gwo2 nei5 ho2 ji5 si4 gwong1 dou3 lau4 ，nei5 wui5 syun2 zaak6 goi2 bin3 ding6 hai6 bou2 lau4 nei5 ge3 gwo3 heoi3 ne1 ？

If you can go back in time, would you choose to change or keep your past?

 

世界各地嘅大城市你都住過啦，咁作為香港人，我自己有少少好奇，你會選擇喺返香港住，定係會喺外國定居呢？

sai3 gaai3 gok3 dei6 ge3 daai6 sing4 si5 nei5 dou1 zyu6 gwo3 laa1 ，gam2 zok3 wai4 hoeng1 gong2 jan4 ，ngo5 zi6 gei2 jau5 siu2 siu2 hou3 kei4 ，nei5 wui5 syun2 zaak6 hai2 faan1 hoeng1 gong2 zyu6 ，ding6 hai6 wui5 hai2 ngoi6 gwok3 ding6 geoi1 ne1 ？

You’ve lived in a lot of major cities around the world, so I’m a bit curious, as a Hongkonger, would you choose to live in Hong Kong, or settle somewhere abroad?

Cantonese conjunction #10: 但係…依然（仲）daan6 hai6…ji1 jin4 (zung6) but…still

 

但係 + subject + 依然

 

我已經再三咁勸佢唔好買窩輪，如果唔明白窩輪嘅結構同運作呢啲衍生工具可以好危險，但係佢依然選擇攞筆錢去買，結果全部輸曬。

ngo5 ji5 ging1 zoi3 saam1 gam2 hyun3 keoi5 m4 hou2 maai5 wo1 leon2 ，jyu4 gwo2 m4 ming4 baak3 wo1 leon2 ge3 git3 kau3 tung4 wan6 zok3 ne1 di1 hin2 sang1 gung1 geoi6 ho2 ji5 hou2 ngai4 him2，daan6 hai6 keoi5 ji1 jin4 syun2 zaak6 lo2 bat1 cin2 heoi3 maai5 ，git3 gwo2 cyun4 bou6 syu1 saai3 。

I’ve already warned him repeatedly against investing in warrants, because it’s dangerous to not understand the structure of warrants and how derivative products operate, but he still chose to take out a sum of money to purchase it, all of which he lost in the end.

我之前已經同佢講過唔好帶咁多錢出街，但係佢依然塞咗成二萬蚊銀紙喺個銀包嗰度，結果真係畀人偷咗，都唔知好笑定係好喊。

ngo5 zi1 cin4 ji5 ging1 tung4 keoi5 gong2 gwo3 m4 hou2 daai3 gam3 do1 cin2 ceot1 gaai1 ，daan6 hai6 keoi5 ji1 jin4 sak1 zo2 sing4 ji6 maan6 man1 ngan4 zi2 hai2 go3 ngan4 baau1 go2 dou6 ，git3 gwo2 zan1 hai6 bei2 jan4 tau1 zo2 ，dou1 m4 zi1 hou2 siu3 ding6 hai6 hou2 haam3 。

I’ve already told him to not bring so much cash outside, but he still stuffed over 20,000 worth of cash in his wallet, and he actually ended up getting robbed – I honestly don’t know whether to cry or laugh.

Cantonese conjunction #11: 所以 so2 ji5 so

 

所以 + consequence

 

我其實之前冇乜點樣講過廣東話，咁所以如果我有任何嘅不足之處，請各位同事多多見諒。

ngo5 kei4 sat6 zi1 cin4 mou5 mat1 dim2 joeng2 gong2 gwo3 gwong2 dung1 waa2 ，gam2 so2 ji5 jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 jau5 jam6 ho4 ge3 bat1 zuk1 zi1 cyu5 ，cing2 gok3 wai2 tung4 si6 do1 do1 gin3 loeng6 。

I’ve never really used Cantonese in the past before, so if I have any insufficiencies, I ask for your understanding and forgiveness.

 

佢份人其實好容易氹嘅，所以你同佢道個歉，請佢食返個下午茶就冇事嘅喇。

keoi5 fan6 jan4 kei4 sat6 hou2 jung4 ji6 tam3 ge3 ，so2 ji5 nei5 tung4 keoi5 dou6 go3 hip3 ，ceng2 keoi5 sik6 faan1 go3 haa6 ng5 caa4 zau6 mou5 si6 ge3 laa3 。

He’s actually very easily tamed, so if you just apologize and treat him to an afternoon tea or something, you’ll be good.

Cantonese conjunction #12: 雖然 seoi1 jin4 even though

 

雖然 + phrase

 

雖然佢冇喺講西班牙文嘅國家住過，亦都冇試過以西班牙文接受教育，但係佢通過長期嘅自學，而家可以流利咁同西班牙人溝通，真係值得我哋學習。

seoi1 jin4 keoi5 mou5 hai2 gong2 sai1 baan1 ngaa4 man2 ge3 gwok3 gaa1 zyu6 gwo3 ，jik6 dou1 mou5 si3 gwo3 ji5 sai1 baan1 ngaa4 man2 zip3 sau6 gaau3 juk6 ，daan6 hai6 keoi5 tung1 gwo3 coeng4 kei4 ge3 zi6 hok6 ，ji4 gaa1 ho2 ji5 lau4 lei6 gam2 tung4 sai1 baan1 ngaa4 jan4 kau1 tung1 ，zan1 hai6 zik6 dak1 ngo5 dei6 hok6 zaap6 。

Even though he’s never lived in a Spanish speaking country, nor has he been educated in Spanish, through a very long period of self learning, he can now fluently converse in Spanish, something we can all learn from.

 

雖然我從來都未去過加拿大，但係大部分嘅事物基本上都見過，所以除咗天氣同埋語言之外，適應新生活我唔覺得特別困難。

seoi1 jin4 ngo5 cung4 loi4 dou1 mei6 heoi3 gwo3 gaa1 naa4 daai6 ，daan6 hai6 daai6 bou6 fan1 ge3 si6 mat6 gei1 bun2 soeng6 dou1 gin3 gwo3 ，so2 ji5 ceoi4 zo2 tin1 hei3 tung4 maai4 jyu5 jin4 zi1 ngoi6 ，sik1 jing3 san1 sang1 wut6 ngo5 m4 gok3 dak1 dak6 bit6 kwan3 naan4 。

Even though I’ve never been to Canada, but because I’ve pretty much seen everything before, apart from the weather and language, I don’t feel that it’s particularly difficult to get used to my new life here.

Cantonese conjunction #13: 如果 jyu4 gwo2 if

 

如果 + phrase

如果我哋可以學識放慢步伐，停一停，欣賞我哋周邊嘅事物，我相信我哋可以更加深入咁體驗人生。

jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 dei6 ho2 ji5 hok6 sik1 fong3 maan6 bou6 fat6 ，ting4 jat1 ting4 ，jan1 soeng2 ngo5 dei6 zau1 bin1 ge3 si6 mat6 ，ngo5 soeng1 seon3 ngo5 dei6 ho2 ji5 gang3 gaa1 sam1 jap6 gam2 tai2 jim6 jan4 saang1 。

If we can learn to slow down our pace, to stop for a while, and appreciate the things around us, I believe we’ll be able to experience life more deeply.

 

如果你冇咁嘅資源或者時間去投放喺個project度，其實冇問題嘅，你講出嚟就OK嘅喇，你而家講咗推咗人哋好過應承咗人，但係到到最尾交唔到功課。

jyu4 gwo2 nei5 mou5 gam2 ge3 zi1 jyun4 waak6 ze2 si4 gaan3 heoi3 tau4 fong3 hai2 go3 project dou6 ，kei4 sat6 mou5 man6 tai4 ge3 ，nei5 gong2 ceot1 lai4 zau6 OK ge3 laak3 ，nei5 ji4 gaa1 gong2 zo2 teoi1 zo2 jan4 dei6 hou2 gwo3 jing3 sing4 zo2 jan4 ，daan6 hai6 dou3 dou3 zeoi3 mei5 gaau1 m4 dou2 gung1 fo3 。

If you don’t have this level of resources or time to invest in the project, it’s perfectly fine, all you have to do is to tell him, because you’d rather decline his invitation now upfront, rather than making a commitment and failing to deliver on your promises later.

Cantonese conjunction #14: 除非 ceoi4 fei1 unless

 

除非 + phrase

 

除非你有過目不忘嘅能力，所有人都需要時間睇書、理解、消化、鞏固新嘅知識同埋概念，睇一次就完全理解曬所有課堂嘅內容同埋長時間記得住係冇可能嘅。

ceoi4 fei1 nei5 jau5 gwo3 muk6 bat1 mong4 ge3 nang4 lik6 ，so2 jau5 jan4 dou1 seoi1 jiu3 si4 gaan3 tai2 syu1 、lei5 gaai2 、siu1 faa3 、gung2 gu3 san1 ge3 zi1 sik1 tung4 maai4 koi3 nim6 ，tai2 jat1 ci3 zau6 jyun4 cyun4 lei5 gaai2 saai3 so2 jau5 fo3 tong4 ge3 noi6 jung4 tung4 maai4 coeng4 si4 gaan3 gei3 dak1 zyu6 hai6 mou5 ho2 nang4 ge3 。

Unless you have an eidetic memory, everyone needs time to read, understand, digest and consolidate new knowledge and concepts, to look once and understand all that was said in class and to retain it in the long term is quite frankly impossible.

 

除非你搵到一份好工，或者真正有咁嘅需要喺嗰邊投資，我多數都唔會建議喺熱帶氣候住慣嘅香港人搬到北美洲或者北歐咁嘅冰天雪地長期居住。

ceoi4 fei1 nei5 wan2dou2 jat1 fan6 hou2 gung1 ，waak6 ze2 zan1 zing3 jau5 gam2 ge3 seoi1 jiu3 hai2 go2 bin1 tau4 zi1 ，ngo5 do1 sou3 dou1 m4 wui5 gin3 ji5 hai2 jit6 daai3 hei3 hau6 zyu6 gwaan3 ge3 hoeng1 gong2 jan4 bun1 dou3 bak1 mei5 zau1 waak6 ze2 bak1 ngau1 gam2 ge3 bing1 tin1 syut3 dei6 coeng4 kei4 geoi1 zyu6 。

Unless you can secure a good job, or you have a need to invest over there, I generally don’t recommend that Hongkongers, who’re used to a more tropical climate, relocate permanently to icy cold places like North America or Northern Europe.

Cantonese conjunction #15: 直到…為止 zik6 dou3…wai4 zi2 until

 

直到 + action + 為止

 

直到成個部件設計好為止，office入面邊個都唔准走！

zik6 dou3 sing4 go3 bou6 gin2 cit3 gai3 hou2 wai4 zi2 ，office jap6 min6 bin1 go3 dou1 m4 zeon2 zau2 ！

Until the design of the entire component is finished, nobody’s allowed to leave the office!

 

我一般好少喺網上留言嘅，但係今次搵到同我整錶個錶匠嘅服務態度實在太好喇，我前幾日攞咗隻錶去整，整好之後我改變咗注意想整多一次，佢唔單只冇嫌我煩，仲免費同我「加工」，直到我滿意為止，老一輩嘅師傅果然名不虛傳！

ngo5 jat1 bun1 hou2 siu2 hai2 mong5 soengt6 lau4 jin4 ge3 ，daan6 hai6 gam1 ci3 wan2 dou2 tung4 ngo5 zing2 biu1 go3 biu1 zoeng6 ge3 fuk6 mou6 taai3 dou6 sat6 zoi6 taai3 hou2 laak3 ，ngo5 cin4 gei2 jat6 lo2 zo2 zek3 biu1 heoi3 zing2 ，zing2 hou2 zi1 hau6 ngo5 goi2 bin3 zo2 zyu2 ji3 soeng2 zing2 do1 jat1 ci3 ，keoi5 m4 daan1 zi2 mou5 jim4 ngo5 faan4 ，zung6 min5 fai3 tung4 ngo5 「 gaa1 gung1 」 ，zik6 dou3 ngo5 mun5 ji3 wai4 zi2 ，lou5 jat1 bui3 ge3 si1 fu2 gwo2 jin4 ming4 bat1 heoi1 cyun4 ！

Generally speaking, I very rarely leave comments online, but the watchmaker I found to help repair my watch was just so outstanding (I feel compelled to do so) – a few days ago, I took my watch to have it fixed, but I wanted another round of repairs after everything was delivered, not only did the watchmaker not find me irritating, he even helped me complete these second batch of repairs for free until I was satisfied – now this is a master deserving of his reputation!

Cantonese conjunction #16: 就算 zau6 syun3 even if

 

就算 + phrase

 

就算佢單身，我好肯定佢都唔會同你喺埋一齊。

zau6 syun3 keoi5 daan1 san1 ，ngo5 hou2 hang2 ding6 keoi5 dou1 m4 wui5 tung4 nei5 hai2 maai4 jat1 cai4 。

Even if she is single, I highly doubt she’ll go out with you.

 

就算一個人識講好多種語言，佢大部分時間都會用翻佢最熟悉嘅語言，因為工作場地，尤其喺法律咁嘅行業入面，係絕對唔容許有絲毫嘅錯誤。

zau6 syun3 jat1 go3 jan4 sik1 gong2 hou2 do1 zung2 jyu5 jin4 ，keoi5 daai6 bou6 fan6 si4 gaan3 dou1 wui5 jung6 faan1 keoi5 zeoi3 suk6 sik1 ge3 jyu5 jin4 ，jan1 wai6 gung1 zok3 coeng4 dei6 ，jau4 kei4 hai2 faat3 leot6 gam2 ge3 hong4 jip6 jap6 min6 ，hai6 zyut6 deoi3 m4 jung4 heoi2 jau5 si1 hou4 ge3 co3 ng6 。

Even if a person can speak multiple languages, he’ll resort to using the language he’s most familiar with most of the time, because it’s simply unforgivable to make even the slightest mistake in the workplace, especially in an industry like law.

Cantonese conjunction #17: 萬一…嘅話 maan6 jat1…ge3 waa6 in case that

 

萬一 + situation + 嘅話

 

萬一佢陣間返嚟嘅話，麻煩你幫我同佢講聲哈囉，唔該。

maan6 jat1 keoi5 zan6 gaan1 faan1 lai4 ge3 waa6 ，maa4 faan4 nei5 bong1 ngo5 tung4 keoi5 gong2 seng1 haa1 lo2 ，m4 goi1 。

In case he returns later, please let him know I said “hi”, thanks.

 

萬一佢陣係嚟唔到嘅話，呢場演講就交畀你，我建議你都係做好準備，同佢做好交接工作。

maan6 jat1 keoi5 zan6 hai6 lai4 m4 dou2 ge3 waa6 ，li1 coeng4 jin2 gong2 zau6 gaau1 bei2 nei5 ，ngo5 gin3 ji5 nei5 dou1 hai6 zou6 hou2 zeon2 bei6 ，tung4 keoi5 zou6 hou2 gaau1 zip3 gung1 zok3 。

If he really can’t make it later, you’ll be in charge of delivering the speech, so I suggest that you prep for it in advance, as well as take care of any handover work.

Cantonese conjunction #18: 以免 ji5 min5 lest

 

one should…, + 以免 + consequence

 

結婚係人生嘅終身大事，絕對唔可以輕率，一定要三思而後行，以免日後悔婚。

git3 fan1 hai6 jan4 sang1 ge3 zung1 san1 daai6 si6 ，zyut6 deoi3 m4 ho2 ji5 hing1 seot1 ，jat1 ding6 jiu3 saam3 si1 ji4 hau6 hang4 ，ji5 min5 jat6 hau6 fui3 fan1 。

Marriage is one of the most significant events in life, an event that one should not take lightly, it’s important to think thrice before making that commitment, lest one regretting it later on.

 

半夜三更我就勸你唔好放埋啲咁鬼死嘈嘅搖滾音樂，以免嘈醒隔離鄰舍。

bun3 je6 saam1 gang3 ngo5 zau6 hyun3 nei5 m4 hou2 fong3 maai4 di1 gam3 gwai2 sei2 cou4 ge3 jiu4 gwan2 jam1 lok6 ，ji5 min5 cou4 seng2 gaak3 lei4 leon4 se3 

I urge you to not play such loud rock music in the middle of the night, lest you disturb the neighbours.

Cantonese conjunction #19: 寧願…都唔 ning5 jyun2…dou1 m4 rather…than

 

寧願 + option A + 都唔 + option B

 

我寧願食一碟炒曱甴都唔願意上台演講！

ngo5 ning4 jyun2 sik6 jat1 dip6 caau2 gaat6 zaat2 dou1 m4 jyun6 ji3 soeng5 toi4 jin2 gong2 ！

I’d rather eat a plateful of cockroaches than to go up there on stage and make a speech!

 

佢真係正一躝街精，佢寧願坐喺公園都唔願意返屋企。

keoi5 zan1 hai6 zing3 jat1 laan1 gaai1 zing1 ，keoi5 ning4 jyun6 co5 hai2 gung1 jyun2 dou1 m4 jyun6 ji3 faan1 nguk1 kei2 。

He’s really someone who enjoys being outside, I mean, he’d rather sit around in a park than to go back home.

Cantonese conjunction #20: 抑或 jik1 waak6 whether…or

 

option A + 抑或 + option B

 

你將來做掃街嘅抑或做總統完全係你嘅選擇，爹地媽咪唔會干涉，但係點樣都好，我哋都非常之希望你搵到你鐘意做嘅工作，因為工作係會陪伴我哋一世人嘅。

nei5 zoeng1 loi4 zou6 sou3 gaai1 ge3 jik1 waak6 zou6 zung2 tung2 jyun4 cyun4 hai6 nei5 ge3 syun2 zaak6 ，de1 di4 maa1 mi1 m4 wui5 gon1 sip3 ，daan6 hai6 dim2 joeng2 dou1 hou2 ，ngo5 dei6 dou1 fei1 soeng4 zi1 hei1 mong6 nei5 wan2 dou2 nei5 zung1 ji3 zou6 ge3 gung1 zok3 ，jan1 wai6 gung1 zok3 hai6 wui5 pui4 bun6 ngo5 dei6 jat1 sai3 jan4 ge3 。

It’s completely up to you whether you want to be a street sweeper or the president, as parents, we won’t interfere with your choice, but regardless of your choice, we very much hope that you’ll find a line of work that you enjoy, because what we do is going to stay with us our entire lives.

 

其實你喺鋪頭買抑或喺網上買呢隻補品係完全一樣嘅，上網買分分鐘仲畀鋪頭買便啲㖭！

kei4 sat6 nei5 hai2 pou3 tau2 maai5 jik1 waak6 hai2 mong5 soeng6 maai5 ne1 zek3 bou2 ban2 hai6 jyun4 cyun4 jat1 joeng6 ge3 ，soeng5 mong5 maai5 fan1 fan1 zung1 zung6 bei2 pou1 tau2 maai5 peng4 di1 tim1 ！

This health supplement is exactly the same whether you buy it in a retail store or online, you might even find a better deal if you get it online!

Cantonese conjunction #21: 只要 zi2 jiu3 as long as

 

只要 + phrase

 

只要你願意真心、虛心咁學嘅話，師傅一定會收你為徒。

zi2 jiu3 nei5 jyun6 ji3 zan1 sam1 、heoi1 sam1 gam2 hok6 ge3 waa6 ，si1 fu2 jat1 ding6 wui5 sau1 nei5 wai4 tou4 。

As long as you’re willing to learn sincerely and humbly, I’m happy to take you on as my apprentice.

 

只要有恆心，鐵柱磨成針。

zi2 jiu3 jau5 hang4 sam1 ，tit3 cyu5 mo4 sing4 zam1 。

If you work at it hard enough,you can grind an iron rod into a needle. (A Chinese idiom that means “perseverance spells success”.)

Cantonese conjunction #22: 之前 zi1 cin4 before

 

action + 之前

 

做咗學生咁多年，我自己覺得考試之前最重要嘅呢就係要盡情咁玩，同埋臨考試之前一晚一定要瞓好個覺，確保自己以最 fit 嘅心理狀態應付考試。

zou6 zo2 hok6 saang1 gam3 do1 nin4 ，ngo5 zi6 gei2 gok3 dak1 haau2 si3 zi1 cin4 zeoi3 zung6 jiu3 ge3 ne1 zau6 hai6 jiu3 zeon6 cing4 gam2 waan2 ，tung4 maai4 lam4 haau2 si3 zi1 cin4 jat1 maan5 jat1ding6 jiu3 fan3 hou2 go3 gaau3 ，kok3 bou2 zi6 gei2 ji5 zeoi3  fit ge3 sam1 lei5 zong6 taai3 jing3 fu6 haau2 si3 。

As someone who’s been a student for many years, I personally think the most important thing to do before exams is to let loose as much as possible, and to have a good night’s sleep before exam day, to ensure that we can sit our exams in peak condition.

 

專家建議瞓覺一個鐘之前最好自己預設一個程序，譬如話睇書，沖個熱水涼，聽下舒暢嘅音樂，咁樣做會幫助我哋放鬆身心，睡眠嘅質素都會有所改善。

zyun1 gaa1 gin3 ji5 fan3 gaau3 jat1 go3 zung1 zi1 cin4 zeoi3 hou2 zi6 gei2 jyu6 cit3 jat1 go3 cing4 zeoi6 ，pei3 jyu4 waa6 tai2 syu1 ，cung1 go3 jit6 seoi2 loeng4 ，teng1 haa5 syu1 coeng3 ge3 jam1 ngok6 ，gam2 joeng2 zou6 wui5 bong1 zo6 ngo5 dei6 fong3 sung1 san1 sam1 ，seoi6 min4 ge3 zat1 sou3 dou1 wui5 jau5 so2 goi2 sin6 。

Experts recommend entering a preset routine an hour before sleep, like reading, taking a hot bath, or listen to soothing music, in order to help us relax, and to improve our sleep quality.

Cantonese conjunction #23: 之後 zi1 hau6 after

 

action + 之後

 

飲咗酒之後就千祈唔可以揸車，如果唔係可能會危及到自己同埋其他路人嘅生命。

jam2 zo2 zau2 zi1 hau6 zau6 cin1 kei4 m4 ho2 ji5 zaa1 ce1 ，jyu4 gwo2 m4 hai6 ho2 nang4 wui5 ngai4 kap6 dou3 zi6 gei2 tung4 maai4 kei4 taa1 lou6 jan4 ge3 sang1 ming6 。

It’s imperative that we not drive after drinking, or else we might put the lives of passerbys and ourselves at risk.

 

我唔知點解，但係近排瞓完覺之後都仲覺得好癐，好似想繼續瞓咁樣。

ngo5 m4 zi1 dim2 gaai2 ，daan6 hai6 gan6 paai2 fan3 jyun4 gaau3 zi1 hau6 dou1 zung6 gok3 dak1 hou2 gui6 ，hou2 ci5 soeng2 gai3 zuk6 fan3 gam2 joeng2 。

I don’t know why, but recently, I’ve been feeling tired even after sleeping loads, like I just want to keep on sleeping and sleeping.

Cantonese conjunction #24: 到到…嗰陣 dou3 dou3…go2 zan6 by the time

 

到到 + phrase + 嗰陣

 

三字經都咁講啦，「子不學，非所宜，幼不學，老何為？」，如果我哋後生嘅時候唔發憤圖強，到到我哋老年嗰陣就真係後悔莫及啦。

saam1 zi6 ging1 dou1 gam2 gong2 laa1 ，「 zi2 bat1 hok6 ，fei1 so2 ji4 ，jau3 bat1 hok6 ，lou5 ho4 wai4 ？」 ，jyu4 gwo2 ngo5 dei6 hau6 saang1 ge3 si4 hau6 m4 faat3 fan5 tou4 koeng4 ，dou3 dou3 ngo5 dei6 lou5 nin4 go2 zan6 zau6 zan1 hai6 hau6 fui3 mok6 kap6 laa3 。

Even the Trimetric Classic writes that “If the child does not learn, this is not as it should be. If he does not learn while young, what will he be when old?”, if we don’t put in our best foot when we’re young, I truly believe we’ll come to regret it when we grow old.

 

到到老婆返屋企嗰陣，我已經砌好曬張BB床。

dou3 dou3 lou5 po4 faan1 nguk1 kei5 go2 zan6 ，ngo5 ji5 ging1 cai3 hou2 saai3 zoeng1 BB cong4 。

When my wife got back home, I’d already finished putting together the crib.

Cantonese conjunction #25: 既然 gei3 jin4 now that, seeing that, since

 

既然 + phrase

 

既然冇人舉手嘅話，大家唔介意嘅話就我講先喇。

gei3 jin4 mou5 jan4 geoi2 sau2 ge3 waa6 ，daai6 gaa1 m4 gaai3 ji3 ge3 waa6 zau6 ngo5 gong2 sin1 laak3 。

Seeing that nobody’s raised their hands, if you guys don’t mind, I’d like to speak first.

 

我真係諗唔通佢點解會去南非留學 – 既然將來冇任何打算喺南非定居或者工作，點解轉登去到咁遠讀大學呢？

ngo5 zan1 hai6 lam2 m4 tung1 keoi5 dim2 gaai2 wui5 heoi3 naam4 fei1 lau4 hok6  – gei3 jin4 zoeng1 loi4 mou5 jam6 ho4 daa2 syun3 hai2 naam4 fei1 ding6 geoi1 waak6 ze2 gung1 zok3 ，dim2 gaai2 zyun1 dang1 heoi3 dou3 gam3 jyun5 duk6 daai6 hok6 ne1 ？

I really can’t figure out why she chose South Africa as a university destination – seeing that she has no future plans to settle or work over there, why would she choose to go so far away from home to study?

Cantonese conjunction #26: 曾經 cang4 ging1 once

 

曾經 + experience

 

我自己曾經都試過陷入一個完全失去希望嘅狀態，好好彩畀我遇到一個治療師，長時間耐心咁聽我訴苦、幫我解開心結，好唔容易先至回歸正軌。

ngo5 zi6 gei2 cang4 ging1 dou1 si3 gwo3 ham6 jap6 jat1 go3 jyun4 cyun4 sat1 heoi3 hei1 mong6 ge3 zong6 taai3 ，hou2 hou2 coi2 bei2 ngo5 jyu6 dou2 jat1 go3 zi6 liu4 si1 ，coeng4 si4 gaan3 noi6 sam1 gam2 teng1 ngo5 sou3 fu2 、bong1 ngo5 gaai2 hoi1 sam1 git3 ，hou2 m4 jung4 ji6 sin1 zi3 wui4 gwai1 zing3 gwai2 。

I have also once been in the depths of despair before, but I was fortunate enough to be able to meet a therapist, who, over a long period of time, was willing to listen to my troubles, opening me up, and it was, with great difficulty, that I was able to get myself back on track.

 

我曾經都試過乜都單獨作戰，但係後來發覺其實只要我哋肯尋求幫助，原來社會上有好多有心人願意伸出援手幫助我哋逃脫困境。

ngo5 cang4 ging1 dou1 si3 gwo3 mat1 dou1 daan1 duk6 zok3 zin3 ，daan6 hai6 hau6 loi4 faat3 gok3 kei4 sat6 zi2 jiu3 ngo5 dei6 hang2 cam4 kau4 bong1 zo6 ，jyun4 loi4 se5 wui2 soeng6 jau5 hou2 do1 jau5 sam1 jan4 jyun6 ji3 san1 ceot1 wun4 sau2 bong1 zo6 ngo5 dei6 tou4 tyut3 kwan3 ging2 。

I’ve also once tried to do this one man band, but I discovered later on that if we’re willing to seek help, there still exist many kind souls who’re equally willing to help us out of a bind.

Cantonese conjunction #27: 以前 ji5 cin4 before

 

以前 + action

 

我以前成日都會長時間癡住張凳郁都唔郁，但係自從聽咗醫生勸告要恰當安排作息時間之後，我每隔一兩個鐘都會企起身周圍走下，過咗一段時間之後，明顯感覺到身體變得輕快咗。

ngo5 ji5 cin4 sing4 jat6 dou1 wui5 coeng4 si4 gaan3 ci1 zyu6 zoeng1 dang3 juk1 dou1 m4 juk1 ，daan6 hai6 zi6 cung4 teng1 zo2 ji1 sang1 hyun3 gou3 jiu3 hap1 dong3 ngon1 paai4 zok3 sik1 si4 gaan3 zi1 hau6 ，ngo5 mui5 gaak3 jat1 loeng5 go3 zung1 dou1 wui5 kei5 hei2 san1 zau1 wai4 zau2 haa5 ，gwo3 zo2 jat1 dyun6 si4 gaan3 zi1 hau6 ，ming4 hin2 gam2 gok3 dou2 san1 tai2 bin3 dak1 hing1 faai3 zo2 。

I used to be sedentary for long periods of time, but since my doctor told me to get adequate rest, I now get up and take a walk around every hour or two, and after doing this for a period of time, I clearly feel my body getting lighter.

 

我以前每日成完飯之後都會喺休息室打坐十五分鐘，但係有一段時間因為工作實在太忙，所以漸漸咁忘記咗呢個習慣。

ngo5 ji5 cin4 mui5 jat6 sing4 jyun4 faan6 zi1 hau6 dou1 wui5 hai2 jau1 sik1 sat1 daa2 zo6 sap6 ng5 fan1 zung1 ，daan6 hai6 jau5 jat1 dyun6 si4 gaan3 jan1 wai6 gung1 zok3 sat6 zoi6 taai3 mong4 ，so2 ji5 zim6 zim2 gam2 mong4 gei3 zo2 ne1 go3 zaap6 gwaan3 。

I used to meditate for fifteen minutes every day in the lounge after lunch, but there was a time when I was too busy with work, and I’ve gradually grown to forget this habit over time.

Cantonese conjunction #28: 自從…之後 zi6 cung4…zi1 hau6 ever since

 

自從 + phrase + 之後

 

自從佢哋兩個離咗婚，佢哋嗰兩個小朋友就變得越嚟越反叛，可想而知離婚對小朋友造成幾大嘅心理影響。

zi6 cung4 keoi5 dei6 loeng5 go3 lei4 zo2 fan1 ，keoi5 dei6 go2 loeng5 go3 siu2 pang4 jau5 zau6 bin3 dak1 jyut6 lai4 jyut6 faan2 bun6 ，ho2 soeng2 ji4 zi1 lei4 fan1 deoi3 siu2 pang4 jau5 zou6 sing4 gei2 daai6 ge3 sam1 lei5 jing2 hoeng2 。

Ever since their divorce, their two children became ever the more rebellious, one can only imagine the impact a divorce has on one’s children.

 

自從我搬咗去法國住之後，我嘅呼吸系統好似好咗好多，鼻敏感冇以前咁嚴重，原來空氣質素對身體嘅影響真係不容忽視。

zi6 cung4 ngo5 bun1 zo2 heoi3 faat3 gwok3 zyu6 zi1 hau6 ，ngo5 ge3 fu1 kap1 hai6 tung2 hou2 ci5 hou2 zo2 hou2 do1 ，bei6 man5 gam2 mou5 ji5 cin4 gam3 jim4 zung6 ，jyun4 loi4 hung1 hei3 zat1 sou3 deoi3 san1 tai2 ge3 jing2 hoeng2 zan1 hai6 bat1 jung4 fat1 si6 。

Ever since I moved to France, my respiratory system feels a lot better, and my rhinitis seems to have subsided a bit, it seems that air quality does have a non-negligible impact on our health after all.  

Cantonese conjunction #29: 從…到 cung4…dou3 from…to

 

從 + A + 到 + B

 

從我第一日入嚟公司到而家你都睇我唔過眼，不過算喇，總言之我走咗之後你我從此河水不犯井水，彼此不相干犯。

cung4 ngo5 dai6 jat1 jat6 jap6 lei4 gung1 si1 dou3 ji4 gaa1 nei5 dou1 tai2 ngo5 m4 gwo3 ngaan5 ，bat1 gwo3 syun3 laak3 ，zung2 jin4 zi1 ngo5 zau2 zo2 zi1 hau6 nei5 ngo5 cung4 ci2 ho4 seoi2 bat1 faan6 zeng2 seoi2 ，bei2 ci2 bat1 soeng1 gon1 faan6 。

From the first day I joined the company, you’ve never seen eye to eye with me, but regardless, after I leave, you’ll do well to leave me alone, and I’ll make sure to do the same.

 

佢個人嘅集中力真係好勁，做事投入嘅時候居然可以連續幾日廢寢忘餐，真係有少少擔心佢身體嘅狀況。

keoi5 go3 jan4 ge3 zaap6 zung1 lik6 zan1 hai6 hou2 ging6 ，zou6 si6 tau4 jap6 ge3 si4 hau6 geoi1 jin2 ho2 ji5 lin4 zuk6 gei2 jat6 fai3 cam2 mong4 caan1 ，zan1 hai6 jau5 siu2 siu2 daam1 sam1 keoi5 san1 tai2 ge3 zong6 fong3 。

Her concentration is really marvellous, when she’s devoted to a task, she can go for days without sleeping or eating, on the other hand, it really makes one worried about her health.

Cantonese conjunction #30: 嘅時候 ge3 si4 hau6 when

 

action + 嘅時候

 

大家到咗機場嘅時候記得喺 F 嗰一行集合，記住記住帶齊曬個人證件，最後起飛前三個半鐘到會同大家集體做登機手續。

daai6 gaa1 dou3 zo2 gei1 coeng4 ge3 si4 hau6 gei3 dak1 hai2  F go2 jat1 hong4 zaap6 hap6 ，gei3 zyu6 gei3 zyu6 daai3 cai4 saai3 go3 jan4 zing3 gin2 ，zeoi3 hau6 hei2 fei1 zi1 cin4 saam1 go3 bun3 zung1 dou2 wui5 tung4 daai6 gaa1 zaap6 tai2 zou6 dang1 gei1 sau2 zuk6 。

Remember to gather around in aisle F when you arrive at the airport, and don’t forget your passports and IDs, so that we can take care of boarding procedures as a group three and a half hours before the flight.

 

去旅行嘅時候一定要帶齊三樣嘢：現金、數據卡同埋紙巾。

heoi3 leoi5 hang4 ge3 si4 hau6 jat1 ding6 jiu3 daai3 cai4 saam1 joeng6 je5 ：jin6 gam1 、sou3 geoi3 kaat1 tung4 maai4 zi2 gan1 。

When we travel, it’s important to bring three things: cash, a data card and toilet paper.

Cantonese conjunction #31: 雖然 seoi1 jin4 while

 

雖然 + phrase

 

雖然佢冇接受過正式嘅翻譯訓練，但係由於佢自學能力同埋語感實在太強，佢基本上可以喺冇人督促同埋指導嘅情況下完成一篇高質量嘅翻譯。

seoi1 jin4 keoi5 mou5 zip3 sau6 gwo3 zing3 sik1 ge3 faan1 jik6 fan3 lin6 ，daan6 hai6 jau4 jyu1 keoi5 zi6 hok6 nang4 lik6 tung4 maai4 jyu5 gam2 sat6 zoi6 taai3 koeng4 ，keoi5 gei1 bun2 soeng6 ho2 ji5 hai2 mou5 jan4 duk1 cuk1 tung4 maai4 zi2 dou6 ge3 cing4 fong3 haa6 jyun4 sing4 jat1 pin1 gou1 zat1 loeng6 ge3 faan1 jik6 。

Even though she’s never received any formal training in translation before, due to her outstanding ability to self learn, and her strong intuition for languages, she can basically complete high quality translations without any supervision or guidance.

 

雖然我對呢個項目一無所知，但係基於我對頭先遇到嗰幾個人嘅第一印象，我可以好有信心同你講呢個團隊絕對值得你去投資。

seoi1 jin4 ngo5 deoi3 ne1 go3 hong6 muk6 jat1 mou4 so2 zi1 ，daan6 hai6 gei1 jyu1 ngo5 deoi3 tau4 sin1 jyu6 dou2 go2 gei2 go3 jan4 ge3 dai6 jat1 jan3 zoeng6 ，ngo5 ho2 ji5 hou2 jau5 seon3 sam1 tung4 nei5 gong2 ne1 go3 tyun4 deoi2 zyut6 deoi3 zik6 dak1 nei5 heoi3 tau4 zi1 。

Even though I don’t know a single thing about this project, based on my first impressions of the few people we met earlier on, I can say with confidence that this is a team that’s worth investing in.

Cantonese conjunction #32: 因為 jan1 wai6 because

 

因為 + reason

 

其實頭先個講師之所以重複學員喺課堂上問嘅問題唔係因為佢需要更多時間去思考個問題，而係方便坐喺後排嘅學生，同埋之後網上面翻睇講座嘅朋友聽得到。

kei4 sat6 tau4 sin1 go3 gong2 si1 zi1 so2 ji5 cung4 fuk1 hok6 jyun4 hai2 fo3 tong4 soeng6 man6 ge3 man6 tai4 m4 hai6 jan1 wai4 keoi5 seoi1 jiu3 gang3 do1 si4 gaan3 heoi3 si1 haau2 go3 man6 tai4 ，ji4 hai6 fong1 bin6 co5 hai2 hau6 paai4 ge3 hok6 saang1 ，tung4 maai4 zi1 hau6 mong5 soeng6 min6 faan1 tai2 gong2 zo6 ge3 pang4 jau5 ting3 dak1 dou2 。

Actually, the reason the lecturer kept on repeating the students’ questions throughout the session wasn’t to buy time to think, it was to let the students in the back row, as well as those who’ll be rewatching this seminar later to be able to listen to what was being asked.

 

我其實今次搬去巴黎名義上就話係鐘意法國文化同埋想提高自己嘅法文水平，咁呢個亦都係真嘅，但係更加重要嘅原因係因為我開始厭倦之前嗰個環境，希望換咗環境之後可以重拾心情一心一意咁投入工作。

ngo5 kei4 sat6 gam1 ci3 bun1 heoi3 baa1 lai4 ming4 ji6 soeng6 zau6 waa6 hai6 zung1 ji3 faat3 gwok3 man4 faa3 tung4 maai4 soeng2 tai4 gou1 zi6 gei2 ge3 faat3 man2 seoi2 ping4 ，gam2 ne1 go3 jik6 dou1 hai6 zan1 ge3 ，daan6 hai6 gang3 gaa1 zung6 jiu3 ge3 jyun4 jan1 hai6 jan1 wai6 ngo5 hoi1 ci2 jim3 gyun6 zi1 cin4 go2 go3 waan4 ging2 ，hei1 mong6 wun6 zo2 waan4 ging2 zi1 hau6 ho2 ji5 cung4 sap6 sam1 cing4 jat1 sam1 jat1 ji3 gam2 tau4 jap6 gung1 zok3 。

The reason I tell everyone behind my decision to move to Paris is because I “love French culture and want to improve my French”, which is partially true, but the more important reason for this is because I’m starting to become tired of the environment I was previously in, I really hope that changing my environment will help me reorient myself and get back on track at work.

Cantonese conjunction #33: 好似…咁 hou2 ci5…gan2 as if

 

好似 + metaphor + 咁

 

佢好似真係想作嘔咁，你最好快啲攞個兜過嚟畀佢嘔。

keoi5 hou2 ci5 zan1 hai6 soeng2 zok3 au2 gam2 ，nei5 zeoi3 hou2 faai3 di1 lo2 go3 dau1 gwo3 lei4 bei2 keoi5 au2 。

He really looks like he’s gonna hurl soon, you’d better bring a bucket over here.

 

佢好似真係畏高咁，教練不如你破例一次畀佢免咗笨豬跳呢個環節啦。

keoi5 hou2 ci5 zan1 hai6 wai3 gou1 gam2 ，gaau3 lin6 bat1 jyu4 nei5 po3 lai6 jat1 ci3 bei2 keoi5 min5 zo2 ban6 zyu1 tiu3 ne1 go3 waan4 zit3 laa1 。

She really seems like she has vertigo – why don’t you make an exception and exempt her from the bungee jumping segment just this once, coach?

Cantonese conjunction #34: 唔單只…仲 m4 daan1 zi2…zung6 not only…but also

 

唔單只 + A + 仲 + B

 

唔似大部分嘅人，佢唔單只識得講同自己母語嘅語系相關嘅語言，佢仲識得講好似俄文、阿拉伯文同埋印度文距離比較遠嘅語言。

m4 ci5 daai6 bou6 fan6 ge3 jan4 ，keoi5 m4 daan1 zi2 sik1 dak1 gong2 tung4 zi6 gei2 mou5 jyu5 ge3 jyu5 hai6 soeng1 gwaan1 ge3 jyu5 jin4 ，keoi5 zung6 sik1 dak1 gong2 hou2 ci5 ngo4 man2 、aa3 laai1 baak3 man4 tung4 maai4 jan3 dou6 man2 keoi5 lei4 bei2 gaau3 jyun5 ge3 jyu5 jin4 。

Unlike most people, he doesn’t only speak languages that are closely related to his mother tongue, he also has a good grasp of more linguistically distant languages like Russian, Arabic and Hindi.

 

你唔單只遲到，你仲唔記得咗帶我上次叫你帶俾我嗰份文件，好，就罰你陣間請食飯！

nei5 m4 daan1 zi2 ci4 dou3 ，nei5 zung6 m4 gei3 dak1 zo2 daai3 ngo5 soeng6 ci3 giu3 nei5 daai3 bei2 ngo5 go2 fan6 man4 gin2 ，hou2 ，zau6 fat6 nei5 zan6 gaan1 ceng2 sik6 faan6 ！

Not only are you late, you also forgot to bring over the documents I explicitly told you to bring last time, so yeah, dinner later’s on you!

Cantonese conjunction #35: 唔單只…亦都 m4 daan1 zi2…jik6 dou1 not only

 

唔單只 + A + 亦都 + B

 

佢唔單只上堂集中唔到精神，佢瞓覺嘅時候亦都會出現磨牙嘅現象，我覺得我哋應該考慮同佢轉校。

keoi5 m4 daan1 zi2 soeng5 tong4 zaap6 zung1 m4 dou2 zing1 san4 ，keoi5 fan3 gaau3 ge3 si4 hau6 jik6 dou1 wui5 ceot1 jin6 mo4 ngaa4 ge3 jin6 zoeng6 ，ngo5 gok3 dak1 ngo5 dei6 jing1 goi1 haau2 leoi6 tung4 keoi5 zyun3 haau6 。

Not only is he unable to concentrate in class, he also shows signs of bruxism when sleeping – the time is nigh for us to transfer him to another school.

 

佢唔單只待人有禮，品學兼優，而且份人好有魅力，難怪佢咁受人歡迎啦。

keoi5 m4 daan1 zi2 doi6 jan4 jau5 lai5 ，ban2 hok6 gim1 jau1 ，ji4 ce2 fan6 jan4 hou2 jau5 mei6 lik6 ，naan4 gwaai3 keoi5 gam3 sau6 jan4 fun1 jing4 laa1 。

Not only is she well mannered, and a high flyer academically, she’s also a fairly charming person, it’s no wonder she’s so popular.

Cantonese conjunction #36: 先至 sin1 zi3 only…that (until)

 

Prerequisite + 先至 + action

 

以前記得老師講過煮食之前油滾熟先至可以擺啲材料入個鑊炒，但係咁多年嚟我睇過所有嘅烹飪節目好多時候都會就咁加啲生油落去煮嘢食，唔知係老師講錯定係主持貪方便偷懶呢？

ji5 cin4 gei3 dak1 lou5 si1 gong2 gwo3 zyu2 sik6 zi1 cin4 jau4 gwan2 suk6 sin1 zi3 ho2 ji5 baai2 di1 coi4 liu2 jap6 go3 wok6 caau2 ，daan6 hai6 gam3 do1 nin4 lai4 ngo5 tai2 gwo3 so2 jau5 ge3 paang1 jam5 zit3 muk6 hou2 do1 si4 hau6 dou1 wui5 zau6 gam2 gaa1 di1 saang1 jau4 lok6 heoi3 zyu2 je5 sik6 ，m4 zi1 hai6 lou5 si1 gong2 co3 ding6 hai6 zyu2 ci4 taam1 fong1 bin6 tau1 laan5 ne1 ？

I remember that our home ec teacher used to teach us that we can only put our ingredients into the pan after the oil’s been heated, but in the many years that I’ve watched cooking shows, many times over, they’ll just add raw oil into the food (without first heating it up), is it the case that our teacher got it wrong, or are cook show hosts just being lazy?

 

我建議大家首先喺聽、寫、讀、講呢四方面掌握好一種語言先至好開始學新嘅語言，如果同時從零基礎學多種語言嘅話，好容易會混淆，感到挫折。

ngo5 gin3 ji5 daai6 gaa1 sau2 sin1 hai2 teng1 、se2 、duk6 、gong2 ne1 sei3 fong1 min6 zoeng2 aak1 hou2 jat1 zung2 jyu5 jin4 sin1 zi3 hou2 hoi1 ci2 hok6 san1 ge3 jyu5 jin4 ，jyu4 gwo2 tung4 si4 cung4 ling4 gei1 co2 hok6 do1 zung2 jyu5 jin4 ge3 waa6 ，hou2 jung4 ji6 wui2 wan6 ngaau4 ，gam2 dou3 co3 zit3 。

I recommend that learners start by grasping a language in terms of listening, writing, reading and speaking when starting to learn a new language, if we learn multiple languages from scratch simultaneously, it’s easy to mix them and become frustrated.

Cantonese conjunction #37: 一…就… jat1…zau6 no sooner…than (as soon as)

 

一 + action + 就 + action that immediately follows

 

我一入到佢屋企就聞到一大朕貓嘅味，但係出自于對阿強嘅友誼同尊重，在場嘅朋友都只係微笑，當乜事都冇。

ngo5 jat1 jap6 dou3 keoi5 nguk1 kei5 zau6 man4 dou2 jat1 daai6 zam6 maau1 ge3 mei6 ，daan6 hai6 ceot1 zi6 jyu1 deoi3 aa3 koeng4 ge3 jau5 ji4 tung4 zyun1 zung6 ，zoi6 coeng4 ge3 pang4 jau5 dou1 zi2 hai6 mei4 siu3 ，dong3 mat1 si6 dou1 mou5 。

The moment I entered his place, an overwhelming cat stench wafted up to us, but out of respect and friendship towards Ah-Keung, those who were there just politely smiled, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

 

有啲嘢食有啲人一聞到就會想嘔，譬如話香港嘅臭豆腐、日本嘅納豆、瑞士嘅鹽醃鯡魚、英國嘅 Marmite、或者東南亞嘅榴蓮，但係我覺得人生冇 take two，所以點都應該試下食一次。

jau5 di1 je5 sik6 jau5 di1 jan4 jat1 man4 dou2 zau6 wui5 soeng2 au2 ，pei3 jyu4 waa6 hoeng1 gong2 ge3 cau3 dau6 fu6 、jat6 bun2 ge3 naap6 dau2 、seoi6 si6 ge3 jim4 jip3 fei1 jyu2 、jing1 gwok3 ge3  Marmite 、waak6 ze2 dung1 naam4 ngaa3 ge3 lau4 lin4 ，daan6 hai6 ngo5 gok3 dak1 jan4 sang1 mou5 take two ，so2 ji5 dim2 dou1 jing1 goi1 si3 haa5 sik6 jat1 ci3 。

There are some foods that make people want to vomit when they smell them, such as stinky tofu from Hong Kong, natto from Japan, surströmming from Sweden, Marmite from the UK, or durian from East Asia, but you know, YOLO, so we should at least try this stuff once.

Cantonese conjunction #38: 唔係…而係 m4 hai6…ji4 hai6 not…but

 

唔係 + A + 而係 + B

 

我唔係對你男朋友嘅家境有偏見，而係覺得佢嘅人格好有問題，我唔知點樣形容，但係我嘅直覺一定冇錯 – 佢絕對唔係一個可信嘅人。

ngo5 m4 hai6 deoi3 nei5 naam4 pang4 jau5 ge3 gaa1 ging2 jau5 pin1 gin3 ，ji4 hai6 gok3 dak1 keoi5 ge3 jan4 gaak3 hou2 jau5 man6 tai4 ，ngo5 m4 zi1 dim2 joeng2 jing4 jung4 ，daan6 hai6 ngo5 ge3 zik6 gok3 jat1 ding6 mou5 co3  – keoi5 zyut6 deoi3 m4 hai6 jat1 go3 ho2 seon3 ge3 jan4 。

I don’t have a problem with your boyfriend’s family background, what I have a problem with is him, I don’t know how to describe me, but my intuition is most certainly not mistaken – he’s definitely not a person you should trust.

 

哦，我諗你搞錯咗啦，佢唔係特登掗時間睇文件，而係啲文件本身就有好多地方唔完整或者次序搞亂曬，所以整合所有文件會比起平時需要花多啲時間。

ngo5 ，ngo5 lam2 nei5 gaau2 co3 zo2 laa3 ，keoi5 m4 hai6 dak6 dang1 aa6 si4 gaan3 tai2 man4 gin2 ，ji4 hai6 di1 man4 gin2 bun2 san1 zau6 jau5 hou2 do1 dei6 fong1 m4 jyun4 zing2 waak6 ze2 ci3 zeoi6 gaau2 lyun6 saai3 ，so2 ji5 zing2 hap6 so2 jau5 man4 gin2 wui5 bei2 hei2 ping4 si4 seoi1 jiu3 faa1 do1 di1 si4 gaan3 。

Oh I think you’ve got it wrong, she’s not deliberately taking up time to sort through the documents, they’re either incomplete or in the wrong order in the first place, so it’s probably going to take more time than usual to finish going through them.

Cantonese conjunction #39: 況且 fong3 ce2 besides

 

況且 + phrase

 

你同佢嘅政治、宗教、做人嘅理念好似冇啲咩共通點。況且，你同佢又唔熟，點解你會無啦啦鐘意咗佢嘅呢？

nei5 tung4 keoi5 ge3 zing3 zi6 、zung1 gaau3 、zou6 jan4 ge3 lei5 nim6 hou2 ci5 mou5 di1 me1 gung6 tung1 dim2 。fong3 ce2 ，nei5 tung4 keoi5 jau6 m4 suk6 ，dim2 gaai2 nei5 wui5 mou4 laa1 laa1 zung1 ji3 zo2 keoi5 ge3 ne1 ？

You share absolutely nothing in common with him, not politics, not religion or values. Besides, you barely know him, so I’m confused as to why you suddenly started liking him.

 

劉 Sir，我已經 check 過曬疑犯私人嘅財務記錄，冇發現到同單case有任何關係。況且，除咗手頭上嗰幾幅相之外根本搵唔到任何證據顯示兩個人之間有任何關係。

lau2  Sir ，ngo5 ji5 ging1 check gwo3 saai3 ji4 faan2 si1 jan4 ge3 coi4 mou6 gei2 luk6 ，mou5 faat3 jin6 dou2 tung4 daan1 case jau5 jam6 ho4 gwaan1 hai6 。fong3 ce2 ，ceoi4 zo2 sau2 tau4 soeng6 go2 gei2 fuk1 soeng2 zi1 ngoi6 gan1 bun2 mou5 wan2 dou2 jam6 ho4 zing3 geoi3 hin2 si6 loeng5 go3 jan4 zi1 gaan1 jau5 jam6 ho4 gwaan1 hai6 。

Supervisor Lau, I’ve already gone through the suspect’s financial records and didn’t find anything suspicious. Besides, apart from the few photos we have at hand, there’s absolutely no evidence to suggest that the two are related in any way.

Cantonese conjunction #40: 再加上 zoi3 gaa1 soeng5 in addition

 

reason A + 再加上 + reason B

 

我既唔識讀心術，又唔係心理學家，再加上我又唔係你，我點知你到底喺道諗緊啲乜嘢呢？

ngo5 gei3 m4 sik1 duk6 sam1 seot6 ，jau6 m4 hai6 sam1 lei5 hok6 gaa1 ，zoi3 gaa1 soeng5 ngo5 jau6 m4 hai6 nei5 ，ngo5 dim2 zi1 nei5 dou3 dai2 hai2 dou6 lam2 gan2 di1 mat1 je5 ne1 ？

I can neither read minds nor am I a psychologist, in addition, I’m not you, how the heck am I supposed to know what you’re thinking?

 

生日party如果閑日搞，個時間真係好似唔係太方便，在加上佢自己本人呢幾日好似唔係太舒服，不如延遲到weekend啦。

saang1 jat6 party jyu4 gwo2 haan4 jat2 gaau2 ，go3 si4 gaan3 zan1 hai6 hou2 ci5 m4 hai6 taai3 fong1 bin6 ，zoi6 gaa1 soeng5 keoi5 zi6 gei2 bun2 jan4 ne1 gei2 jat6 hou2 ci5 m4 hai6 taai3 syu1 fuk6 ，bat1 jyu4 jin4 ci4 dou3 weekend laa1 。

If we hold the birthday party during a weekday, it’d be rather inconvenient, in addition, it would seem that he’s not feeling too hot these couple of days, why don’t we shift it to a weekend?

Cantonese conjunction #41: 同樣地 tung4 joeng2 dei6 likewise

 

同樣地 + phrase

 

我哋一直堅信地球喺宇宙并唔係唯一一個有生命體嘅星球，所以咁多年嚟一直嘗試通過衛星同埋各種嘅探測儀器去理解其他星球嘅狀況。同樣地，如果宇宙入面真係有外星人存在嘅話，我相信佢哋都有嘗試同宇宙嘅其他生命體進行接觸。

ngo5 dei2 jat1 zik6 gin1 seon3 dei6 kau4 hai2 jyu5 zau6 bing6 m4 hai6 wai4 jat1 jat1 go3 jau5 sang1 ming6 tai2 ge3 sing1 kau4 ，so2 ji5 gam3 do1 nin4 lei4 jat1 zik6 soeng4 si3 tung1 gwo3 wai6 sing1 tung4 maai4 gok3 zung2 ge3 taam3 caak1 ji4 hei3 heoi3 lei5 gaai2 kei4 taa1 sing1 kau4 ge3 zong6 fong3 。tung4 joeng2 dei6 ，jyu4 gwo2 jyu5 zau6 jap6 min6 zan1 hai6 jau5 ngoi6 sing1 jan4 cyun4 zoi6 ge3 waa6 ，ngo5 soeng1 seon3 keoi5 dei6 dou1 jau5 soeng4 si3 tung4 jyu5 zau6 ge3 kei4 taa1 sang1 ming6 tai2 zeon3 hang4 zip3 zuk1 。

We’ve always insisted that Earth is not the only planet in the universe with living organisms, so we’ve been trying to deepen our understanding of other planets through various detection equipment over the years. In a similar vein, if there really are aliens in the universe, I believe that they’re also trying to establish contact with other living organisms in the universe.

 

我哋頭先將個file由電腦彈咗去 iPad 嗰道。同樣地，其實你都可以直接由 iPad 過返啲數據去部電腦嗰度。

ngo5 dei6 tau4 sin1 zoeng1 go3 file jau4 din6 nou5 daan6 zo2 heoi3  iPad go2 dou6 。tung4 joeng2 dei6 ，kei4 sat6 nei5 dou1 ho2 ji5 zik6 zip3 jau4  iPad gwo3 faan1 di1 sou3 geoi3 heoi3 bou6 din6 nou5 go2 dou6 。

We were just sending some files from the computer to the iPad, and similarly, we can also directly send data from our iPads to our computers.

Cantonese conjunction #42: 不過…都 bat1 gwo3…dou1 nevertheless

 

不過 + phrase + 都

 

不過點講都好，我而家諗返轉頭點樣諗都唔明點解佢十年前會放咗層樓，佢明明知道樓價會飆升，而且自己身上冇債，會唔會之間有啲不可告人嘅苦衷呢？

bat1 gwo3 dim2 gong2 dou1 hou2 ，ngo5 ji4 gaa1 lam2 faan2 zyun3 tau4 dim2 joeng2 lam2 dou1 m4 ming4 dim2 gaai2 keoi5 sap6 nin4 cin4 wui5 fong3 zo2 cang4 lau2 ，keoi5 ming4 ming4 zi1 dou6 lau4 gaa3 wui5 biu1 sing1 ，ji4 ce2 zi6 gei2 san1 soeng5 mou5 zaai3 ，wui5 m4 wui5 zi1 gaan1 jau5 di1 bat1 ho2 gou3 jan4 ge3 fu2 cung1 ne1 ？

Regardless, thinking back, I still don’t understand why he chose to sell his apartment ten years ago, he knew fully that housing prices will soar, nor was he debt ridden at the time – is it possible that he was in some kind of trouble that he couldn’t tell anyone about?

 

不過其實我點樣諗都完全諗唔到原來跨國婚姻係會衍生出咁多問題嘅。

bat1 gwo3 kei4 sat6 ngo5 dim2 joeng2 lam2 dou1 jyun4 cyun4 lam2 m4 dou2 jyun4 loi4 kwaa1 gwok3 fan1 jan1 hai6 wui5 hin2 sang1 ceot1 gam3 do1 man6 tai4 ge3 。

But however much I thought about it, I never knew that so many problems would arise from interracial marriages.

Cantonese conjunction #43: 而唔係 ji4 m4 hai6 instead of

 

A + 而唔係 + B

 

我諗你記錯啦，佢最鐘意嘅動物係倉鼠，而唔係老鼠。

ngo5 lam2 nei5 gei3 co3 laa3 ，keoi5 zeoi3 zung1 ji3 ge3 dung6 mat6 hai6 cong1 syu2 ，ji4 m4 hai6 lou5 syu2 。

I think you’ve got it all wrong, her favourite animals are hamsters, not mice.

 

我之所以唔交罰款係因為我哋擺到明俾人屈，而唔係冇錢 – 呢個係原則嘅問題。

ngo5 zi1 so2 ji5 m4 gaau1 fat6 fun2 hai6 jan1 wai6 ngo5 dei6 baai2 dou3 ming4 bei2 jan4 wat1 ，ji4 m4 hai6 mou5 cin2 – ne1 go3 hai6 jyun4 zak1 ge3 man6 tai4 。

The reason I didn’t pay my fine was because we were obviously being wrongly accused of something we didn’t do, not because we couldn’t afford to pay up – it’s a matter of principle.

Cantonese conjunction #44: 代 doi6 instead of

 

代 + subject

 

佢嗰日有可能會同個client見面，所以你最好都係搵個人代佢出席呢個活動。

keoi5 go2 jat6 jau5 ho2 nang4 wui5 tung4 go3 client gin3 min6 ，so2 ji5 nei5 zeoi3 hou2 dou1 hai6 wan2 go3 jan4 doi6 keoi5 ceot1 zik6 ne1 go3 wut6 dung6 。

She might have a client meeting on that day, so you’d better find someone to take her place in the event.

 

唔緊要啊，如果你真係好趕嘅話，我可以代你去入境事務處領取身份證。

m4 gan2 jiu3 aa3 ，jyu4 gwo2 nei5 zan1 hai6 hou2 gon2 ge3 waa6 ，ngo5 ho2 ji5 doi6 nei5 heoi3 jap6 ging2 si6 mou6 cyu3 ling5 ceoi2 san1 fan6 zing3 。

No worries, if you’re really pressed for time, I can help you collect your ID card from the Immigration Department.

Cantonese conjunction #45: 如果唔係 jyu4 gwo2 m4 hai6 otherwise

 

如果唔係 + phrase

 

我睇嚟好多人都真係擔心香港過咗五十年後嘅前景，如果唔係近兩年都唔會有越嚟越多人移民去外國啦。

ngo5 tai2 lei4 hou2 do1 jan4 dou1 zan1 hai6 daam1 sam1 hoeng1 gong2 gwo3 zo2 ng5 sap6 nin4 hau6 ge3 cin4 ging2 ，jyu4 gwo2 m4 hai6 gan6 loeng5 nin4 dou1 m4 wui5 jau5 jyut6 lai4 jyut6 do1 jan4 ji4 man4 heoi3 ngoi6 gwok3 laa1 。

It would seem like a lot of people are really worried about Hong Kong’s future after the promised fifty years, or else there wouldn’t have been more and more people choosing to immigrate to other countries these two years.

 

我每次出門嘅時候都一定會拍一下自己嘅褲袋，如果唔係我好驚自己唔記得咗帶鎖匙出街。

ngo5 mui5 ci3 ceot1 mun4 ge3 si4 hau6 dou1 jat1 ding6 wui5 paak3 jat1 haa6 zi6 gei2 ge3 fu3 doi6 ，jyu4 gwo2 m4 hai6 ngo5 hou2 geng1 zi6 gei2 m4 gei3 dak1 zo2 daai3 so2 si4 ceot1 gaai1 。

Whenever I leave the house, I make it a point to always pat my pockets, otherwise I’ll be afraid that I’ve forgotten my keys when I’m out.

Cantonese conjunction #46: 都 dou1 also

 

都 + phrase

 

我都係呢個團隊嘅成員之一，所以如果你有任何問題嘅話，除咗其他人之外，你都可以搵我。

ngo5 dou1 hai6 ne1 go3 tyun4 deoi2 ge3 sing4 jyun4 zi1 jat1 ，so2 ji5 jyu4 gwo2 nei5 jau5 jam6 ho4 man6 tai4 ge3 waa6 ，ceoi4 zo2 kei4 taa1 jan4 zi1 ngoi6 ，nei5 dou1 ho2 ji5 wan2 ngo5 。

I’m also a member of this team, so if you have any problems, apart from the other members, you’re very welcome to talk to me.

 

Sorry，我都唔知道佢而家個人喺邊度，你有冇問過佢契媽？

Sorry ，ngo5 dou1 m4 zi1 dou6 keoi5 ji4 gaa1 go3 jan4 hai2 bin1 dou6 ，nei5 jau5 mou5 man6 gwo3 keoi5 kai3 maa1 ？

Sorry, even I’m not aware where he is right now, have you asked his godmother?

Cantonese conjunction #47: 就算…都 zau6 syun3…dou1 even though…it’s okay

 

就算 + A + 都 + B

 

就算你幫唔到手我都已經好感謝你呢份好意嘅喇，唔好擺喺心上。

zau6 syun3 nei5 bong1 m4 dou2 sau2 ngo5 dou1 ji5 ging1 hou2 gam2 ze6 nei5 ne1 fan6 hou2 ji3 ge3 laa3 ，m4 hou2 baai2 hai2 sam1 soeng6 。

Even if you can’t help, I’m really appreciative of the sentiment, don’t mind it too much.

 

就算我聽唔明波蘭文我都可以從對方嘅言行舉止feel到佢哋嘅不滿，我勸你快啲諗辦法說服佢哋。

zau6 syun3 ngo5 teng1 m4 ming4 bo1 laan4 man2 ngo5 dou1 ho2 ji5 cung4 deoi3 fong1 ge3 jin4 hang4 geoi2 zi2 feel dou2 keoi5 dei6 ge3 bat1 mun5 ，ngo5 hyun3 nei5 faai3 di1 lam2 baan6 faat3 seoi3 fuk6 keoi5 dei6 。

Even though I don’t understand a word of Polish, from the other party’s demeanour, I could feel their dissatisfaction, I urge you to do something to convince them (and alleviate any fears or concerns).

Cantonese conjunction #48: 已經 ji5 ging1 already

 

已經 + phrase

 

哦，你嚟遲咗一步，佢幾分鐘之前已經走咗啦，或者需唔需要同你留個message俾佢啊？

ngo5 ，nei5 lei4 ci4 zo2 jat1 bou6 ，keoi5 gei2 fan1 zung1 zi1 cin4 ji5 ging1 zau2 zo2 laa3 ，waak6 ze2 seoi1 m4 seoi1 jiu3 tung4 nei5 lau4 go3 message bei2 keoi5 aa1 ？

Oh, you’re literally just missed him, he left a few minutes ago, do you need me to take a message for him?

 

佢三十歲前就已經走勻全世界，真係羨慕死人。

keoi5 saam1 sap6 seoi3 cin4 zau6 ji5 ging1 zau2 wan4 cyun4 sai3 gaai3 ，zan1 hai6 sin6 mou6 sei2 jan4 。

Before he turned 30, he’s already travelled the world, how envious.

Cantonese conjunction #49: 仲未 zung6 mei6 not yet

 

仲未 + phrase

 

唔好意思啊，今日比較多人，條倉魚仲未煎好，不如我同你上咗個湯先，好唔好？

m4 hou2 ji3 si1 aa3 ，gam1 jat6 bei2 gaau3 do1 jan4 ，tiu4 cong1 jyu2 zung6 mei6 zin1 hou2 ，bat1 jyu4 ngo5 tung4 nei5 soeng5 zo2 go3 tong1 sin1 ，hou2 m4 hou2 ？

I’m sorry, there are quite a few more people today, and the pomfret’s not quite ready yet, why don’t I serve the soup first, how’s that?

 

如果佢仲未醒嘅話就唔好騷擾佢啦，我知道佢呢排好忙，所以應該好好咁休息。

jyu4 gwo2 keoi5 zung6 mei6 seng2 ge3 waa6 zau6 m4 hou2 sou1 jiu2 keoi5 laa1 ，ngo5 zi1 dou6 keoi5 ne1 paai4 hou2 mong4 ，so2 ji5 jing1 goi1 hou2 hou2 gam2 jau1 sik1 。

If she’s not fully awake yet, let’s not disturb her, I know she’s been very busy recently, so she should get some rest.

Cantonese conjunction #50: 即管 zik1 gun2 despite

 

即管 + phrase

 

即管我未食過水煮魚，我見到咁鬼死厚嗰層油都反胃。

zik1 gun2 ngo5 mei6 sik6 gwo3 seoi2 zyu2 jyu2 ，ngo5 gin3 dou2 gam3 gwai2 sei2 hau5 go2 cang4 jau4 dou1 faan2 wai6 。

Despite the fact that I’ve never tried Sichuan boiled fish, I must admit I’m already feeling nauseated just from seeing the thick layer of oil on top.

 

即管佢睇落去好似好平凡咁樣，我相信一旦所有嘅條件成熟嘅時候，佢會發揮出意想不到嘅潛能。

zik1 gun2 keoi5 tai2 lok6 heoi3 hou2 ci5 hou2 ping4 faan4 gam2 joeng2 ，ngo5 soeng1 seon3 jat1 daan3 so2 jau5 ge3 tiu4 gin6 sing4 suk6 ge3 si4 hau6 ，keoi5 wui5 faat3 fai1 ceot1 ji3 soeng2 bat1 dou3 ge3 cim4 nang4 。

Despite the fact that she looks ordinary, I still believe that when the conditions ripen, she’ll be able to unleash unimaginable potential.

Cantonese conjunction #51: 與其…不如 jyu5 kei4…bat1 jyu4 rather than…it’s better to

 

與其 + option A + 不如 + option B

 

與其通過二手消息判斷一個金融產品嘅優劣，不如自己落少少功夫花啲時間認真去了解產品嘅結構同埋影響表現嘅因素，學識理解投資嘅風險，第時唔使靠人，自己都可以作出精明嘅投資抉擇。

jyu5 kei4 tung1 gwo3 ji6 sau2 siu1 sik1 pun3 dyun6 jat1 go3 gam1 jung4 caan2 ban2 ge3 jau1 lyut3 ，bat1 jyu4 zi6 gei2 lok6 siu2 siu2 gung1 fu1 faa1 di1 si4 gaan3 jing6 zan1 heoi3 liu5 gaai2 caan2 ban2 ge3 git3 kau3 tung4 maai4 jing2 hoeng2 biu2 jin6 ge3 jan1 sou3 ，hok6 sik1 lei5 gaai2 tau4 zi1 ge3 fung1 him2 ，dai6 si4 m4 sai2 kaau3 jan4 ，zi6 gei2 dou1 ho2 ji5 zok3 ceot1 zing1 ming4 ge3 tau4 zi1 kyut3 zaak6 。

Rather than to judge the quality of a financial product based on second hand information, why don’t we invest some time to really understand the structure of each product and the factors affecting their performance, learn the potential risks of investing, so that we don’t have to rely on others, we can make good investment decisions ourselves as well.

 

與其臨淵羨魚，不如退而結網。

jyu5 kei4 lam4 jyun1 sin6 jyu4 ，bat1 jyu4 teoi3 ji4 git3 mong5 。

Rather than to just stand by the pond and long for the fish, it’s better to go home and weave a net. (A Chinese idiom that means “action speaks louder than fantasies and thought”.)

Cantonese conjunction #52: 不但只…反而 bat1 daan6 zi2…faan2 ji4 not only…instead

 

不但只 + expected result + 反而 + opposite of expected result

 

頭先唔小心將碟餸倒瀉曬喺個客人身上，但係佢不但只冇發嬲，佢反而笑住咁多謝我畀咗個藉口佢推咗接落嚟要出席睇嘅歌劇，真係非常之感謝可以遇到一位胸襟廣闊嘅客！

tau4 sin1 m4 siu2 sam1 zoeng1 dip6 sung3 dou2 se3 saai3 hai2 go3 haak3 jan4 san1 soeng6 ，daan6 hai6 keoi5 bat1 daan6 zi2 mou5 faat3 nau1 ，keoi5 faan2 ji4 siu3 zyu6 gam2 do1 ze6 ngo5 bei2 zo2 go3 zik6 hau2 keoi5 teoi1 zo2 zip3 lok6 lai4 jiu3 ceot1 zik6 tai2 ge3 go1 kek6 ，zan1 hai6 fei1 soeng4 zi1 gam2 ze6 ho2 ji5 jyu6 dou3 jat1 wai2 hung1 kam1 gwong2 fut3 ge3 haak3 ！

I accidentally spilled the main course all over the guest, but not only did she not get angry, she actually smiled, thanking me for giving her an excuse to not attend a musical she was supposed to go to, I’m so fortunate to have met such an open minded customer!

 

佢停咗食藥之後身體不但只冇變差，反而好似有好轉嘅跡象，真係神奇。

keoi5 ting4 zo2 sik6 joek6 zi1 hau6 san1 tai2 bat1 daan6 zi2 mou5 bin3 caa1 ，faan2 ji4 hou2 ci5 jau5 hou2 zyun2 ge3 zik1 zoeng6 ，zan1 hai6 san4 kei4 。

After he stopped taking the medication, not only did his condition not worsen, it actually showed signs of improvement, how extraordinary.

Cantonese conjunction #53: 反而 faan2 ji4 instead

 

反而 + opposite of expected result

 

佢犯咗一個咁大嘅錯唔單只冇承認過失、自我反省，反而仲喺度推卸責任，我睇佢日後亦都只會繼續敷衍塞責嘅行為，所以我強烈建議炒咗佢。

keoi5 faan6 zo2 jat1 go3 gam3 daai6 ge3 co3 m4 daan1 zi2 mou5 sing4 jing6 gwo3 sat1 、zi6 ngo5 faan2 sing2 ，faan2 ji4 zung6 hai2 dou6 teoi1 se3 zaak3 jam6 ，ngo5 tai2 keoi5 jat6 hau6 jik6 dou1 zi2 wui5 gai3 zuk6 fu1 hin2 sak1 zaak3 ge3 hang4 wai4 ，so2 ji5 ngo5 koeng4 lit6 gin3 ji5 caau2 zo2 keoi5 。

Not only did he not admit his mistakes and reflect upon them, instead, he blamed it on someone else, and from this, I can only see this kind of behaviour, of apportioning blame and skimping on effort continuing in the future, which is why I’m making the recommendation of firing him.

 

雖然佢天資可能冇其他小朋友咁好，但係佢冇氣餒，上次嘅失敗反而令到佢下定決心要發憤圖強，加倍努力鞏固基礎，將勤補拙。

seoi1 jin4 keoi5 tin1 zi1 ho2 nang4 mou5 kei4 taa1 siu2 pang4 jau5 gam3 hou2 ，daan6 hai6 keoi5 mou5 hei3 neoi5 ，soeng6 ci3 ge3 sat1 baai6 faan2 ji4 ling6 dou3 keoi5 haa6 ding6 kyut3 sam1 jiu3 faat3 fan5 tou4 koeng4 ，gaa1 pui5 nou5 lik6 gung2 gu3 gei1 co2 ，zoeng3 kan4 bou2 zyut6 。

Even though she’s not as talented as other children, she didn’t get discouraged, instead the last failure spurred her to work even harder, to consolidate her bases and to cover for her own weaknesses through effort.

Cantonese conjunction #54: 之所以…係因為 zi1 so2 ji5…hai6 jan1 wai6 because

 

之所以 + consequence + 係因為 + emphasized reason

 

我之所以喺課堂上堅持唔俾學生寫筆記係因為我相信學識講好一種語言最重要嘅係要鼓勵學生去講，活學活用，而唔係咪住本文法書死背。

ngo5 zi1 so2 ji5 hai2 fo3 tong4 soeng6 gin1 ci4 m4 bei2 hok6 saang1 se2 bat1 gei3 hai6 jan1 wai6 ngo5 soeng1 seon3 hok6 sik1 gong2 hou2 jat1 zung2 jyu5 jin4 zeoi3 zung6 jiu3 ge3 hai6 jiu3 gu2 lai6 hok6 saang1 heoi3 gong2 ，wut6 hok6 wut6 jung6 ，ji4 m4 hai6 mai1 zyu6 bun2 man4 faat3 syu1 sei2 bui3 。

The reason I insist upon not letting my students jot down notes in class is because I believe that the most important aspect in learning a language is to encourage students to speak, and to use what they learn in practice, instead of just going through a grammar text and memorizing a bunch of rules.

 

我諗你誤會咗啦，我之所以冇邀請佢嚟個party唔係因為我哋之間嘈交，而係因為之前傾緊偈嗰陣聽到佢話佢呢段時間會喺外國，所以我索性唔send個邀請函俾佢。

ngo5 lam2 nei5 m6 wui6 zo2 laa3 ，ngo5 zi1 so2 ji5 mou5 jiu1 cing2 keoi5 lei4 go3 party m4 hai6 jan1 wai6 ngo5 dei6 zi1 gaan1 cou4 gaau1 ，ji4 hai6 jan1 wai6 zi1 cin4 king1 gan2 gai2 go2 zan6 teng1 dou2 keoi5 waa6 keoi5 ne1 dyun6 si4 gaan3 wui5 hai2 ngoi6 gwok3 ，so2 ji5 ngo5 sok3 sing3 m4 send go3 jiu1 cing2 haam4 bei2 keoi5 。

I think you’re mistaken about this, the reason I didn’t invite her to the party isn’t because we got into a fight, it’s simply due to the fact that when she was chatting a while back, I overheard her saying that she’ll be out of town during this period of time, so I thought I might just not send her the invitation altogether.

Cantonese conjunction #55: 除咗…之外 ceoi4 zo2…zi1 ngoi6 apart from

 

除咗 + phrase + 之外

 

除咗基本嘅數學同埋閱讀能力之外，初等教育應該將良好嘅理財觀念、時間觀念、健康飲食嘅知識灌輸俾學生。

ceoi4 zo2 gei1 bun2 ge3 sou3 hok6 tung4 maai4 jyut6 duk6 nang4 lik6 zi1 ngoi6 ，co1 dang2 gaau3 juk6 jing1 goi1 zoeng1 loeng4 hou2 ge3 lei5 coi4 gun1 nim6 、si4 gaan3 gun1 nim6 、gin6 hong1 jam2 sik6 ge3 zi1 sik1 gun3 syu1 bei2 hok6 saang1 。

Apart from basic maths and reading skills, primary education should seek to instill good financial, time and nutritional concepts in students.

 

我除咗唔食得辣嘢之外，我基本上乜都食得，但係我個人最鐘意食嘅都係日本同埋唔辣嘅韓國料理。

ngo5 ceoi4 zo2 m4 sik6 dak1 laat6 je5 zi1 ngoi6 ，ngo5 gei1 bun2 soeng6 mat1 dou1 sik6 dak1 ，daan6 hai6 ngo5 go3 jan4 zeoi3 zung1 ji3 sik6 ge3 dou1 hai6 jat6 bun2 tung4 maai4 m4 laat6 ge3 hon4 gwok3 liu6 lei5 。

Apart from spicy foods, I can basically eat anything, but my favourites would have to be Japanese and Korean cuisine.

Cantonese conjunction #56: 以免 ji5 min5 in order to (not)

 

以免 + undesired consequence

 

我勸你唔好喺屋企，尤其過咗八點之後，練琴，以免嘈到隔離鄰舍。

ngo5 hyun3 nei5 m4 hou2 hai2 nguk1 kei2 ，jau4 kei4 gwo3 zo2 baat3 dim2 zi1 hau6 ，lin6 kam4 ，ji5 min5 cou4 dou2 gaak3 lei4 leon4 se5 。

I urge you to not, especially after eight, practice playing the piano, in order to avoid disturbing the neighbours.

 

雖然病人已經好得七七八八，但係為咗安全起見，醫生建議病人繼續受多六個月嘅觀察，以免病情復發。

seoi1 jin4 beng6 jan4 ji5 ging1 hou2 dak1 cat1 cat1 baat3 baat3 ，daan6 hai6 wai6 zo2 ngon1 cyun4 hei2 gin3 ，ji1 sang1 gin3 ji5 beng6 jan4 gai3 zuk6 sau6 do1 luk6 go3 jyut6 ge3 gun1 caat3 ，ji5 min5 beng6 cing4 fuk6 faat3 。

Even thought the patient has mostly recovered, but out of safety, the doctor recommended that the patient remain in observation for another six months, in order to prevent a relapse of the condition.

Cantonese conjunction #57: 相反地 soeng1 faan2 dei6 conversely

 

相反地 + opposite of previous phrase

 

我自己一直都好鐘意日本文化。但係相反地，我唔知點解一直都對韓國文化冇乜動心，唔知係唔係兩國文化太接近，重疊嘅範圍太大，所以對韓國唔係有太大嘅興趣呢？

ngo5 zi6 gei2 jat1 zik6 dou1 hou2 zung1 ji3 jat6 bun2 man4 faa3 。daan6 hai6 soeng1 faan2 dei6 ，ngo5 m4 zi1 dim2 gaai2 jat1 zik6 dou1 deoi3 hon4 gwok3 man4 faa3 mou5 mat1 dung6 sam1 ，m4 zi1 hai6 m4 hai6 loeng5 gwok3 man4 faa3 taai3 zip3 gan6 ，cung4 dip6 ge3 faan6 wai4 taai3 daai6 ，so2 ji5 deoi3 hon4 gwok3 m4 hai6 jau5 taai3 daai6 ge3 hing1 ceoi3 ne1 ？

I’ve always been fascinated by Japanese culture. Conversely, I don’t know why I’ve never been interested in Korean culture, could it possibly be because of the fact that these two countries’ cultures are too close, insofar as to overlap, which voided my potential interest in Korean culture?

 

啊哥嘅性格真係可望不可求，除咗個人聰明之外，佢真係一個好善良嘅小朋友，處處為人著想，尊老敬幼。相反地，細路雖然都好聰明，但係佢嘅道德觀念同阿哥完全相反，同人講都唔敢相信佢哋同一條腸出嚟。

aa3 go1 ge3 sing3 gaak3 zan1 hai6 ho2 mong6 bat1 ho2 kau4 ，ceoi4 zo2 go3 jan4 cung1 ming4 zi1 ngoi6 ，keoi5 zan1 hai6 jat1 go3 hou2 sin6 loeng4 ge3 siu2 pang4 jau5 ，cyu3 cyu3 wai4 jan4 zoek6 soeng2 ，zyun1 lou5 ging3 jau3 。soeng1 faan2 dei6 ，sai3 lou2 seoi1 jin4 dou1 hou2 cung1 ming4 ，daan6 hai6 keoi5 ge3 dou6 dak1 gun1 nim6 tung4 aa3 go1 jyun4 cyun4 soeng1 faan2 ，tung4 jan4 gong2 dou1 m4 gam2 soeng1 seon3 keoi5 dei6 tung4 jat1 tiu4 coeng4 ceot1 lai4 。

The older brother really has a wonderful personality, not only is he clever, he’s also a very kind child, someone who’s always thinking of others, and is generous towards the elderly and younger children. Conversely, even though his younger brother is just as smart, his moral values are the exact polar opposite of his older brother, it’s no wonder no one believes it when they’re told that these two are siblings.

Conclusion

And once again, we’ve come to the end of another lesson, this time with Cantonese conjunctions.

Before we close today, I want to talk a little bit about something a few readers have been asking over the past few months: “what’s with the increase in difficulty with the example sentences?”

In an attempt to try and lay out the basic building blocks of Cantonese grammar in a coherent manner, the points we’re going to touch upon are going to be used in increasingly complex ways, that often can’t be illustrated well with sentences like “I eat sheep” and “the sky is blue”.

But more importantly, you should be excited – the fact that the sentences are growing more complex and you’re sticking through to the end of each lesson means that your understanding of Cantonese is growing as well! By taking the time to deconstruct longer sentences, and get used to examples like these, chances are, you’re going to be better prepared in real life when you encounter someone using these building blocks, or when you have to use them.

To top that off, while I’ve set out to write a series of lessons on “Cantonese grammar”, I don’t really look at this as grammar. Grammar is dry and full of rules that are impossible to remember. By shifting our focus to lively, interesting (I hope they’re interesting!) examples, it really breathes life and authenticity to learning the Cantonese basics, and hopefully adds to that stickiness in the learning journey.

So there you are! My reasons for weaving complexity into these sample sentences as we go along. I’m not doing them to make it deliberately hard (there are translations throughout to help you), this is just what I feel is best for you, the student, in terms of presentation.

For this lesson in particular, I would highly encourage you to pick a few Cantonese conjunctions you find interesting, and write out a few sentences of your own. And if you’re ever stuck, don’t forget to reach out! I’ll do my best to respond.

I hope you enjoyed this lesson on Cantonese conjunctions, please come back for the next Cantonese lesson in the series!

各位同學繼續努力，加油！

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Lesson 13: Canotonese Modals