gwong2 zau1 waa2廣州話广州话
Jyutpinggwong2 zau1 waa2
Yalegwóng jāu wá
Definition
Cantonese; the language spoken in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Macau.
neutralcommunication
How it's used
While often used interchangeably with 廣東話, 廣州話 specifically highlights the prestige variety originating from the Guangzhou region. In Hong Kong, speakers frequently use 廣東話 to refer to the local standard, but linguists and older generations may prefer 廣州話 to emphasize its historical roots. It serves as the foundation for the standard pronunciation and vocabulary used in Hong Kong media and education.
Examples
Her family members all speak Cantonese.
Related words
Common phrases
to speak Cantonese
Cantonese romanization
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 廣州話 with the broader term 粵語, which encompasses various regional dialects like Toisanese or Hakka that are not mutually intelligible with standard Cantonese. Using 廣州話 implies the specific, widely understood dialect rather than the entire language family.
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.
