Essential words, you say? Learn the body parts in Cantonese. Start with the head ( 頭 tau4) down to the body (身體 san1 tai2).
One of the things that we first learn as a child is the names of the body parts. Can you imagine how hard it would be if we didn’t start learning about body parts? For children, it is important to be able to name their body parts because it helps them start to become aware of their bodies. Body awareness in children is being able to tell where their bodies are in space.
For language learners, learning the names of the body parts is beneficial in different situations, like buying clothes, buying cosmetics, or buying accessories. It will also be helpful when complementing someone based on their appearance or looks.
Knowing body parts will also help language learners in doing exercises, make-ups, or during emergencies. Lastly, learning body parts in Cantonese will also be helpful in your career or in studying.
In this blog, we will learn about the different body parts in Cantonese. You will also learn the different body organs and other vocabulary related to the body. If you’re just a beginner and reading Chinese characters might be challenging for you, worry no more because Jyutping romanization and English translations are provided.
Head – 頭 (Tau4)
The first group of body parts in Cantonese that we will learn are those found in the head 頭 (Tau4). Here’s a list of body parts in Cantonese that are found in the head. These might be helpful when you’re talking about appearance, doing make-up, and more.
| English Translation | Cantonese | Jyutping |
| beard | 鬍鬚 | wu4 sou1 |
| cheek | 臉頰 | lim5 haap3 |
| chin | 下巴 | haa6 baa1 |
| eyes | 眼 | ngaan5 |
| eyebrow | 眉毛 | mei4 mou4 |
| eyelash | 睫毛 | zit6 mou4 |
| eyelid | 眼皮 | ngaan5 pei4 |
| ears | 耳仔 | ji5 zai2 |
| face | 臉 | lim6 |
| hair | 頭髮 | tau4 faat3 |
| lip | 唇 | seon |
| mouth | 口 | hau2 |
| mustache | 鬚 | sou1 |
| nose | 鼻哥 | bei6 go1 |
| tongue | 脷 | lei6 |
| tooth | 牙齒 | ngaa4 ci2 |
Body- 身體 (San1 Tai2)
The Cantonese word for body is 身體 (san1 tai2). The group of body parts that we will learn about next is those found in the outer part of the body. This group will be divided into subgroups — upper body and lower body. These might be helpful, especially when you’re shopping for clothes or doing things that involve your body, like working out and more.
Upper Body
Your arms, forearms, shoulders, chest, and hands are all considered parts of your upper body. These muscles construct a bridge that connects the torso, chest, and limbs to the spinal column in your back.
| English Translation | Cantonese | Jyutping |
| arm | 手臂 | sau2 bei3 |
| armpit | 胳肋底 | gaak3 laak6*1 dai2 |
| back | 背脊 | bui3 zek3 |
| chest | 胸 | hung1 |
| elbow | 手掙 | sau2 zaang1 |
| finger | 手指 | sau2 zi2 |
| fingernail | 指甲 | zi2 gaap3 |
| forearm | 前臂 | cin4 bei3 |
| hand | 手 | sau2 |
| index finger | 食指 | sik6 zi2 |
| little finger | 小指 | siu2 zi2 |
| middle finger | 中指 | zung1 zi2 |
| neck | 頸 | geng2 |
| ring finger | 無名指 | mou4 ming4 zi2 |
| shoulder | 膊 頭 | bok3 tau4 |
| stomach/ belly | 肚 | tou5 |
| thumb | 拇指 | mou5 zi2 |
| wrist | 手腕 | sau2 wun2 |
Lower Body
The lower extremity is the portion of the body that extends from the hip all the way down to the toes. The lower extremity is comprised of the joints found in the hip, knee, and ankle, in addition to the bones found in the thigh, leg, and foot.
| English Translation | Cantonese | Jyutping |
| ankle | 腳眼 | goek3 ngaan5 |
| bottom | 屁股 | pei3 gu2 |
| foot | 腳 | goek3 |
| heel | 脚跟 | goek3 gan1 |
| hip | 髖 | fun1 |
| knee | 膝蓋 | sat1 koi3 |
| leg | 腿 | teoi2 |
| penis | 陰莖 | jam1 ging3 |
| sole | 腳板 | goek3 baan2 |
| toe | 腳趾 | goek3 zi2 |
| toenail | 腳趾甲 | goek3 zi2 gaap3 |
| vagina | 陰道 | jam1 dou6 |
Organs And Other Body Parts In Cantonese
It is also important to learn Cantonese words for the basic organs of the body, especially if you’re planning to work or study in the field of medicine or body fitness. You might need to learn more than these parts and organs, but this is a good way to start. So, here’s a list of other body parts and organs that are easy to learn.
| English Translation | Cantonese | Jyutping |
| artery | 動脈 | dung6 mak6 |
| backbone | 脊骨 | zek3 gwat1 |
| bladder | 膀胱 | pong4 gwong1 |
| blood | 血 | hyut3 |
| bone | 骨頭 | gwat1 tau4 |
| brain | 腦 | nou5 |
| breastbone | 胸骨 | hung1 gwat1 |
| eardrum | 耳膜 | ji5 mok6 |
| gall bladder | 膽 | daam2 |
| heart | 心 | sam1 |
| intestine | 腸 | coeng2 |
| kidney | 腎 | san5 |
| larynx | 咽喉 | jin1 hau4 |
| liver | 肝 | gon1 |
| lung | 肺 | fai3 |
| muscle | 肌肉 | gei1 juk6 |
| nerve | 神經 | san4 ging1 |
| organ | 器官 | hei3 gun1 |
| pancreas | 胰 | ji4 |
| rib | 肋骨 | lak6 gwat1 |
| skin | 皮膚 | pei4 fu1 |
| stomach | 胃 | wai6 |
| uterus/womb | 子宮 | zi2 gung1 |
| vein | 靜脈 | zing6 mak6 |
Cantonese Words Related To Body Parts
After learning about the different body parts in Cantonese, let’s learn some additional Cantonese vocabulary related to the body. It is also important to learn these in case of emergencies or when you’re not feeling well.
| English Translation | Cantonese | Jyutping |
| booger/snot | 鼻屎 | bei6 si2 |
| exercise | 運動 | wan6 dung6 |
| headache | 頭痛 | tau4 tung3 |
| height | 高度 | gou1 dou6 |
| menstruation | 月經 | jyut6 ging1 |
| overweight | 超重 | ciu1 cung5 |
| saliva | 口水 | hau2 seoi2 |
| sinus headache | 偏頭痛 | pin1 tau4 tung3 |
| sweat | 汗 | hon6 |
| stomachache | 肚痛 | tou5 tung3 |
| toothache | 牙痛 | ngaa4 tung3 |
| urine | 尿 | niu6 |
| weight | 重物 | cung4 mat6 |
It Only Takes A Brain And A Hand To Learn Cantonese Now!
Now that you have learned the basic body parts in Cantonese, what’s next? Well, why not further your knowledge and develop your skills by learning Cantonese with the Ling app. You don’t need much. Just get your phone or computer and let your hand, mind, and Ling app do the trick.
By learning Cantonese with the Ling app, you’ll be able to develop your language skills. Choose from a variety of topics and learn them in a fun and engaging way. Practice your speaking skills with audio recordings from a native speaker and a voice recognition feature. You can also develop your grammar skills with its extensive grammar explanation. Learn more about the culture by reading blog posts like this.
So, begin writing to page one of your language learning journey. Start your first Cantonese lesson with the Ling app now!
