How to say thank you in Cantonese (and when to use which)

There are two main ways to say thank you in Cantonese, and choosing the right one depends on what you are thanking someone for. Use 唔該 (m4 goi1) for everyday service and small favours, such as when a waiter brings your food or someone holds a door. Use 多謝 (do1 ze6) for gifts, compliments, and genuine generosity. Getting this distinction right is one of the quickest ways to sound natural rather than like a textbook.

Here is exactly when to use each, plus how to say thank you very much and how to reply when someone thanks you.

唔該 (m4 goi1): thanks for a service or favour

唔該 (m4 goi1) is the most used phrase in daily Cantonese. It covers thank you for a service, please, and excuse me, all depending on context. You say it when a waiter pours your tea, when you ask someone to pass something, or when you get a stranger's attention. It is light and everyday, the polite grease of ordinary interactions in Hong Kong.

Use 唔該 when:

• Someone gives you a service, such as a waiter, shopkeeper, or taxi driver.
• Someone does a small favour, like holding a door or passing an item.
• You want to say excuse me or please to get attention or make a request.

多謝 (do1 ze6): thanks for a gift or kindness

多謝 (do1 ze6) is a warmer, more heartfelt thank you. You use it for gifts, treats, compliments, and real generosity, the moments where someone has genuinely given you something. If a friend buys you dinner or hands you a present, 多謝 is the right word, not 唔該.

Use 多謝 when:

• Someone gives you a gift or present.
• Someone treats you to a meal or pays for you.
• Someone pays you a compliment or does something genuinely kind.

Saying thank you very much

To add emphasis, add 晒 (saai3), which means completely or entirely. So 唔該晒 (m4 goi1 saai3) means thanks so much for the help, and 多謝晒 (do1 ze6 saai3) means thank you very much for the gift. The same 唔該 and 多謝 split still applies: match the word to whether you are thanking for a service or a gift.

How to reply when someone thanks you

When someone thanks you, a few natural replies work:

• 唔使客氣 (m4 sai2 haak3 hei3): you're welcome, literally no need to be polite.
• 唔使唔該 (m4 sai2 m4 goi1): no need to thank me, a casual you're welcome.
• 小事啦 (siu2 si6 laa1): it's nothing, a friendly it was no trouble.

Watch the tones

As with all Cantonese, the tones carry the meaning, so practise these phrases out loud with native audio rather than reading them silently. 唔該 and 多謝 are short, high frequency phrases you will use every day, which makes them perfect for early practice. For a wider starter set, see our list of 100 essential Cantonese words and phrases, and learn how to say hello in Cantonese to round out your basics.

Frequently asked questions

How do you say thank you in Cantonese?

You say thank you in Cantonese with 唔該 (m4 goi1) for everyday service and small favours, or 多謝 (do1 ze6) for gifts, treats, and genuine kindness. 唔該 is the more frequent of the two and also means please or excuse me depending on context.

What is the difference between 唔該 and 多謝?

唔該 (m4 goi1) thanks someone for a service or small favour, such as a waiter or someone holding a door, and also serves as please or excuse me. 多謝 (do1 ze6) thanks someone for a gift, a treat, or real generosity. Using the wrong one is understandable but sounds slightly off to locals.

How do you say thank you very much in Cantonese?

Add 晒 (saai3) for emphasis: 唔該晒 (m4 goi1 saai3) is thank you so much for help or service, and 多謝晒 (do1 ze6 saai3) is thank you very much for a gift or kindness. Keep the same 唔該 versus 多謝 distinction based on what you are thanking someone for.

How do you say you're welcome in Cantonese?

The most common reply is 唔使客氣 (m4 sai2 haak3 hei3), meaning you're welcome or literally no need to be polite. A more casual option is 唔使唔該 (m4 sai2 m4 goi1), and 小事啦 (siu2 si6 laa1) means it was nothing.