ze3 man6 seng1借問聲借问声
Jyutpingze3 man6 seng1
Yaleje mahn sēng
Definition
May I ask; excuse me; a polite phrase used before asking a question.
colloquialcommunication
How it's used
This phrase functions as a polite softener when initiating a conversation with a stranger. It is functionally equivalent to starting a question with 'Excuse me' in English, helping to signal that you are about to interrupt someone for information. Using it makes your request sound significantly less abrupt and more culturally appropriate in a busy city environment.
Examples
Excuse me, is there an MTR station nearby?
May I ask, do you know where I can buy a newspaper?
Related words
Common phrases
Excuse me, may I ask
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this phrase to address friends or family, which sounds overly formal and distant. It is strictly reserved for interactions with strangers or in service settings where a degree of social distance is maintained.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
