At the counter: Learn Cantonese

Learn the Cantonese for To queue, To fetch, to collect, To hand in, to pay, To make an appointment, To sign, signature. 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

To queue: 排隊 (paai4 deoi2)
To fetch, to collect: 攞 (lo2)
To hand in, to pay: 交 (gaau1)
To make an appointment: 預約 (jyu6 joek3)
To sign, signature: 簽名 (cim1 meng2)

You can already call people and leave a message. Now let's get things done at a counter: line up, collect something, hand in a form, book a slot, and sign your name.

paai4排deoi2隊

To queue

ngan4銀hong4行hou2好do1多jan4人，ngo5我dei6哋jiu3要paai4排deoi2隊。

There are a lot of people at the bank, so we have to queue.

lo2攞

To fetch, to collect

nei5你hai2喺gwai6櫃toi2枱zau6就ho2可ji5以lo2攞je5嘢。

You can collect your things at the counter.

gaau1交

To hand in, to pay

nei5你tin4填hou2好zoeng1張biu2表zau6就gaau1交bei2畀ngo5我。

Once you fill out the form, hand it to me.

jyu6預joek3約

To make an appointment

ngo5我soeng2想tai2睇ji1醫sang1生，bat1不gwo3過jiu3要sin1先daa2打din6電waa2話jyu6預joek3約。

I want to see the doctor, but I have to call to book first.

cim1簽meng2名

To sign, signature

gei3記zyu6住hai2喺haa6下min6面cim1簽meng2名。

Remember to sign at the bottom.

Frequently asked questions

Is the At the counter 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 At the counter teach in Cantonese?

This lesson covers To queue, To fetch, to collect, To hand in, to pay, To make an appointment, To sign, signature.

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.