m4 hou2 ji3 si3唔好意思
Jyutpingm4 hou2 ji3 si3
Yalem̀h hóu yi si
Definition
An expression used to politely apologize, say sorry, or decline something.
colloquialcommunicationpeople
How it's used
Functioning as a versatile social lubricant, this phrase covers everything from a minor apology to a polite way of getting someone's attention. It is significantly softer and more common than 對唔住, which carries a heavier weight of sincere regret or formal apology. Use it whenever you need to interrupt someone, ask a favor, or decline an invitation without sounding blunt.
Examples
Excuse me, please let me through.
Sorry, I cannot make it tonight.
Related words
Common phrases
Sorry for all the trouble
Excuse me, let me pass
Common mistake
Do not use this to express deep remorse for serious mistakes, as it sounds too casual or dismissive in those contexts. For genuine, heavy apologies, stick to 對唔住.
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.
