zik1即hai6係
That is, in other words
keoi5佢hai6係ngo5我lou5老sai3細，zik1即hai6係hai2喺gung1公si1司waa6話saai3晒si6事go2嗰go3個jan4人。
He is my boss, in other words the person who calls the shots at the company.
Learn
Natural connectors
Link your ideas like a local with that is, actually, on the contrary, and of course
Learn the Cantonese for That is, in other words, Actually, On the contrary, Of course. This lesson gives you each word with a clear example and romanization, plus audio so you can hear exactly how it sounds.
What you'll learn
- That is, in other words: 即係 (zik1 hai6)
- Actually: 其實 (kei4 sat6)
- On the contrary: 反而 (faan2 ji4)
- Of course: 梗係 (gang2 hai6)
You already know the little mood particles like 㗎 that colour a sentence. Now let's add the small linking words that glue your ideas together, so your Cantonese sounds connected instead of like a list.
kei4其sat6實
Actually
ni1呢gaan1間caan1餐teng1廳tai2睇lok6落hou2好pou2普tung1通，kei4其sat6實di1啲je5嘢hou2好hou2好sik6食。
This restaurant looks pretty ordinary, but the food is actually really good.
faan2反ji4而
On the contrary
faan1返gung1工hou2好gui6攰，daan6但hai6係fong3放gaa3假ngo5我faan2反ji4而fan3瞓dak1得m4唔hou2好。
Work is tiring, but on holiday I actually sleep worse instead.
gang2梗hai6係
Of course
keoi5佢ceng2請ngo5我dei6哋jam2飲caa4茶，ngo5我gang2梗hai6係heoi3去laa1啦！
He's treating us to yum cha, so of course I'm going!
Frequently asked questions
Is the Natural connectors lesson free?
Yes. This Cantonese lesson is free to read online, with romanization and meanings for every word. In the YumCha app, your first lesson is free to try, and vocabulary practice, flashcards, and the dictionary stay free. A subscription unlocks the full interactive lesson path.
Which words does Natural connectors teach in Cantonese?
This lesson covers That is, in other words, Actually, On the contrary, Of course.
What romanization is used?
Both Jyutping and Yale, and you can switch between them. The romanization sits above every word, so you always know the pronunciation.
Do I need to read Chinese characters to start?
No. Romanization sits above every character and audio plays each word, so you can start speaking from your first lesson.