Learn

Hello & Goodbye

Learn essential greetings

5words
25XP
5–9min

Cantonese is spoken by millions of people in their everyday lives, from markets to restaurants to homes. Let's start with the most essential greetings.

nei5你hou2好

Hello

nei5你hou2好，ngo5我giu3叫siu2小ming4明

Hello, my name is Siu Ming

zou2早san4晨

Good morning

zou2早san4晨！gam1今jat6日tin1天hei3氣hou2好hou2好

Good morning! The weather is great today

你好 is the most universal greeting. 早晨 is specifically for mornings and feels warm and friendly.

  • nei5 hou2你好hello
  • zou2 san4早晨good morning
zoi3再gin3見

Goodbye

hou2好hoi1開sam1心gin3見dou2到nei5你，zoi3再gin3見！

Great meeting you, goodbye!

baai1拜baai3拜

Bye bye (casual)

ting1聽jat6日gin3見，baai1拜baai3拜！

See you tomorrow, bye bye!

拜拜 is borrowed from English “bye bye”. It's more casual than 再見 and perfect for friends and family.

  • baai1 baai3拜拜bye bye (casual)
  • zoi3 gin3再見goodbye

Cultural tip: In Hong Kong, people often greet with 食咗飯未 meaning “Have you eaten yet?” Food is at the heart of Cantonese culture. You'll learn this phrase soon!

  • sik6 zo2 faan6 mei6食咗飯未Have you eaten yet?
dim2點aa3呀

What's up? / How's it going?

nei5你hou2好！dim2點aa3呀？hou2好noi6耐mou5冇gin3見

Hey! What's up? Long time no see

點呀 is a casual greeting between friends. It literally means “how?” and is like the English “what's up?”

  • dim2 aa3點呀what's up?