gwai3 sing3 ming4貴姓名贵姓名
Jyutpinggwai3 sing3 ming4
Yalegwai sing mìhng
Definition
A polite way to ask for someone's name.
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
This is a formal and polite way to ask for someone's name in a professional or service setting. It is rarely used among friends or peers, as it sounds overly stiff or distant in casual social interactions. When speaking to someone of higher status or a customer, it is standard practice to use this instead of a direct question.
Examples
Excuse me, may I ask your name?
Related words
Common phrases
your honourable surname and given name
may I ask your surname
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this phrase with friends or people younger than them, which can make the conversation sound awkward or sarcastic. In casual settings, simply asking 點稱呼呀 is much more natural and appropriate.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
