m4唔goi1該
Thank you (for service) / Please / Excuse me
m4唔goi1該，ceng2請man6問sai2洗sau2手gaan1間hai2喺bin1邊dou6度？
Excuse me, where is the restroom?
Learn
Thank You & Sorry
Express gratitude and apologies
Politeness goes a long way, and Cantonese has a few must know phrases for it. This lesson shows you when to use 唔該 (m4 goi1) versus 多謝 (do1 ze6) for thank you, how to apologise with 對唔住 (deoi3 m4 zyu6), and how to reassure someone with 唔緊要 (m4 gan2 jiu3). You will come away able to thank, apologise, and respond graciously.
What you'll learn
- Thank someone for service with 唔該 (m4 goi1)
- Thank someone for a gift or favour with 多謝 (do1 ze6)
- Apologise with “sorry,” 對唔住 (deoi3 m4 zyu6)
- Say “excuse me” politely with 唔好意思 (m4 hou2 ji3 si3)
- Reassure someone with “it's okay,” 唔緊要 (m4 gan2 jiu3)
- Reply “you're welcome” using 唔使客氣 (m4 sai2 haak3 hei3)
Politeness goes a long way! Let's learn how to say thank you and sorry in Cantonese.
do1多ze6謝
Thank you (for gift/favor)
do1多ze6謝nei5你ge3嘅lai5禮mat6物！
Thank you for the gift!
deoi3對m4唔zyu6住
Sorry
deoi3對m4唔zyu6住，ngo5我ci4遲dou3到zo2咗
Sorry, I'm late
m4唔hou2好ji3意si1思
Excuse me / I'm embarrassed
m4唔hou2好ji3意si1思，ho2可m4唔ho2可ji5以ze3借jat1一ze3借？
Excuse me, can I get through?
m4唔gan2緊jiu3要
It's okay / No problem
m4唔gan2緊jiu3要，mou5冇si6事laa1啦
It's okay, no worries
m4唔sai2使haak3客hei3氣
You're welcome / Don't be polite
m4唔sai2使haak3客hei3氣，siu2小si6事laa1啦
You're welcome, it's no big deal
Frequently asked questions
How do you say thank you in Cantonese?
There are two common ways. Use 唔該 (m4 goi1) to thank someone for a service, and 多謝 (do1 ze6) to thank someone for a gift or a personal favour.
What is the difference between 唔該 and 多謝?
唔該 (m4 goi1) is for everyday help and service, like when a waiter brings your food. 多謝 (do1 ze6) is warmer and reserved for gifts and bigger favours.
How do you say sorry in Cantonese?
Say 對唔住 (deoi3 m4 zyu6) for a genuine apology. For minor moments, such as gently interrupting, 唔好意思 (m4 hou2 ji3 si3) is softer.
How do you say you're welcome in Cantonese?
A natural reply is 唔使客氣 (m4 sai2 haak3 hei3), which literally tells the other person not to be so polite.