Being told that you are appreciated is one of the best things to hear. Saying thank you or thanking someone is not just about having good manners and respect. It is also a way of acknowledging that someone has been a blessing to you, no matter how big or small the favor is. So in this blog, we will learn how to say Thank You in Cantonese.
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How To Say Thank You In Cantonese?
Traveling across different countries will really require you to learn at least basic Cantonese words, phrases, and sentences from their language. Make sure that among these useful words, you should not forget to learn a way to say “Thank you”. Yes, you can use English, but isn’t it great to learn the country’s native language? This will not just help you in different situations, but it can also warm the natives’ hearts when it came from a foreigner. This is also a sign of respect for their culture.
There are different ways to say “Thank you” in different languages. When you go to Spain, they say “Gracias.” In Korea, they say “Kamsahamnida.” In Japan, they say, “Arigato gozaimasu.” But for Hong Kong and also in Macau, we will talk about four 4 different ways to say thank you in Cantonese.
Here is a list of the most popular words commonly used for thank you in Cantonese
| Meaning | Cantonese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you | 多謝 | Do1 Ze6 |
| Excuse me | 唔該 | M4 Goi1 |
| You are such a kind person | 你真係好人 | Nei5 Zan1 Hai6 Hou2 Jan4 |
| Thank you for your encouragement | 多謝你嘅鼓勵 | Do1 Ze6 Nei5 Ge3 Gu2 Lai6 |
1. Do1 Ze6 多謝
This basically means “Thank You” in Cantonese. This is the common and formal way of saying “thanks”. You can use this when you receive a present or a favor from someone. But if you want to say thank you for a gift in advance, say “doh je sin” (with a long I sound). This literally means “Thank you, first” in English. Try saying this with much sincerity and see how it can magically lift up someone else’s mood.
You can also say, “hou2 do1 ze6 nei5” in an informal setting. This also means “Thank you” in Cantonese but with more energy and enthusiasm.
2. M4 Goi1 唔該
Exploring the country will bring you to places where you will experience good service from the locals in places like restaurants, malls, and even different transportation like cabs. You can use this word to give compliments and thank someone for their good service.
You can also say “m goi nei sin” for a service that is yet to be performed. Workers are the valuable assets of a country. Work culture is important for Hong Kong. Always remember that you should always be respectful to the workers whether they are a crew or a manager.
3. Nei5 Zan1 Hai6 Hou2 Jan4 你真係好人
They say that no act of kindness, no matter how small, is wasted. So when someone puts a lot of effort into doing something for you, this is one way to say thank you. It means “That’s very kind of you” in English.
4. Do1 Ze6 Nei5 Ge3 Gu2 Lai6 多謝你嘅鼓勵
You will surely meet kind people along your journey. If someone said something nice to you or gave you a compliment like “beautiful” in Cantonese that made you feel better, you can express your gratitude. This means “Thanks for your kind words!” in English.
What Is The Right Way To Say Thank You In Cantonese?
Knowing the words to say does not mean they will automatically transform into skills. You should also consider the tones, gestures, and manner of saying it.
Chinese is one of the languages in which tones are really important, so always remember to study the tones used by Cantonese speakers. Tones can easily change the meaning of the word, so you have to be really careful. Native Cantonese speakers in Hong Kong also use handshakes when greeting foreigners. Be careful! This handshake is lighter than you used to, so don’t squeeze their hands. They might also lower their heads as part of their culture.
The right way to say “Thank you” in Cantonese depends on the situation. As stated above, there are different ways of thanking someone. If you happen to be in those situations, it is nice to know how to deal with them. Remember, wherever you are, whatever you do, or whomever you encounter, it is polite to make them feel appreciated.
We usually use words to express our gratitude and appreciation, but empty words do not mean anything. You have to make them feel that you really mean what you are saying. Be sincere when you speak, and make sure it comes from your heart.
Gratitude can magically transform anyone’s day. In the current situation, showing gratitude is one of the simplest but most powerful things we can give each other. Developing an attitude of gratitude and learning to be grateful, even for small and simple things, will give you a more positive outlook in life. It can also brighten someone’s day by telling them that you appreciate him or her. By doing so, watch how it can easily put a smile on their faces.
Is Xie Xie Mandarin Or Cantonese?
If you are planning to go to China, you might be hearing two ways to say “Thank you.” One in Mandarin and one in Cantonese. We all know that Mandarin is widely spoken all over China, so you can mostly hear “xie xie” (pronounced as syeh-syeh). The first xie starts high and drops by the end. The second xie is a neutral tone.
This works in any situation, and it is the most common way to express gratitude in Mandarin. And if by chance you were being thanked by others, it is nice to respond by saying “Bú kèqì” (不客气). This means “You’re welcome” in English. Mandarin and Cantonese are both Chinese, but they are different dialects spoken in different places.
Gratitude can magically transform anyone’s day. In the current situation, showing gratitude is one of the simplest but most powerful things we can give each other. Developing an attitude of gratitude and learning to be grateful, even for small and simple things, will give you a more positive outlook in life. It can also brighten someone’s day by telling them that you appreciate him or her. By doing so, watch how it can easily put a smile on their faces.
More Sentences For Thank You In Cantonese
| Sentence | Cantonese | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Thank you for your help! | 多謝你幫忙！ | do1 ze6 nei5 bong1 mong4! |
| Thank you for your hard work! | 辛苦晒，多謝你！ | san1 fu2 saai3, do1 ze6 nei5! |
| I really appreciate it! | 我真係好感激！ | ngo5 zan1 hai6 hou2 gam2 gik1! |
| Thank you for your kindness! | 多謝你嘅好意！ | do1 ze6 nei5 ge3 hou2 ji3! |
| Thank you so much for your support! | 非常多謝你嘅支持！ | fei1 soeng4 do1 ze6 nei5 ge3 zi1 ci4 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Common Names In Cantonese
What Is Thank You In Hong Kong?
“Thank you” can be expressed in two ways in Hong Kong, depending on the situation:
- 唔該 (m4 goi1) – Used for thanking someone for a service or a favor, like when someone holds a door open for you or gives you directions.
- 多謝 (do1 ze6) – Used when thanking someone for a gift or something more significant.
What Does Xie Xie Mean?
谢谢 (xièxiè) in Mandarin Chinese means “thank you.” It is the most common and general way to express gratitude in Mandarin. Similar to 唔該 (m4 goi1) or 多謝 (do1 ze6) in Cantonese.
Unlike Cantonese, Mandarin uses 谢谢 for both small favors and gifts without needing different expressions for each context.
How Do You Politely Say Thank You?
“多謝晒” (do1 ze6 saai3) – This is a more emphatic way to say “thank you very much.”
“唔該晒” (m4 goi1 saai3) – For thanking someone for a service, adding 晒 (saai3) makes it more polite, like “thank you so much.”
How Do You Reply To “Thank You” In Cantonese?
When someone says 唔該 (m4 goi1)
- 唔使客氣 (m4 sai2 haak3 hei3) – “You’re welcome”
- 唔使唔該 (m4 sai2 m4 goi1) – “No need to thank me.”
When someone says 多謝 (dō jeh)
- 唔使客氣 (m4 sai2 haak3 hei3) – “You’re welcome”
- 冇問題 (mou5 man6 tai4) – “No problem.”
- 唔緊要 (m4 gan2 yiu3) – “It’s not a big deal” or “No worries.”
- 係咁啦 (hai6 gam2 laa1) – Casual way of saying, “It’s alright” or “That’s fine.”
Want To Learn More Cantonese Words? Use Ling!
That’s it for this blog post. If you don’t know where to start, we have a guide on the best apps for learning Cantonese. If you want to learn some more, you can do it on the Ling app!
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