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Errands

Run everyday errands: post a parcel, get a haircut, and change or exchange things at a counter

5words
20XP
6–10min
Practice this lesson

Learn the Cantonese for To post, to send, Post office, To cut, Hair, To change, to exchange. 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 post, to send: 寄 (gei3)
  • Post office: 郵局 (jau4 guk2)
  • To cut: 剪 (zin2)
  • Hair: 頭髮 (tau4 faat3)
  • To change, to exchange: 換 (wun6)

You already know how to queue, collect something, and sign at a counter. Now let's run the everyday errands around town: posting a parcel, getting a haircut, and swapping something for a different one.

gei3寄

To post, to send

ngo5我soeng2想gei3寄go3個baau1包gwo2裹bei2畀ngo5我go1哥go1哥。

I want to post a parcel to my older brother.

jau4郵guk2局

Post office

jau4郵guk2局hai2喺ngan4銀hong4行gaak3隔lei4籬。

The post office is next to the bank.

zin2剪

To cut

ngo5我jyu6預joek3約zo2咗gam1今jat6日haa6下zau3晝heoi3去zin2剪tau4頭faat3髮。

I booked an appointment to get a haircut this afternoon.

tau4頭faat3髮

Hair

ngo5我tau4頭faat3髮taai3太coeng4長,soeng2想zin2剪dyun2短di1啲。

My hair is too long, I want to cut it a bit shorter.

wun6換

To change, to exchange

gin2件saam1衫taai3太sai3細,ngo5我soeng2想wun6換gin2件daai6大di1啲ge3嘅。

This top is too small, I would like to exchange it for a bigger one.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Errands 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 Errands teach in Cantonese?

This lesson covers To post, to send, Post office, To cut, Hair, To change, to exchange.

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.