Yes (to be) / Is
Learn
Yes & No
Learn to agree and disagree
6words
25XP
6–10min
In Cantonese, “yes” and “no” depend on the question asked. Let's learn the basics!
Yes, I am from Hong Kong
No (not to be) / Is not
No, I am not a student
Notice the pattern: 唔 before a word makes it negative. 係 becomes 唔係, just like adding “not” in English.
- m4唔not (negation)
- hai6係yes / is
- m4 hai6唔係no / is not
Good / OK / Yes
The weather is really good today
Not good / Don't
Don't walk so fast
Cultural tip: In Cantonese, there's no single word for “yes”. You answer by repeating the verb from the question. If asked “係唔係?” (is it?), you reply “係” (yes) or “唔係” (no).
- hai6 m4 hai6係唔係is it? (yes/no question)
Have / There is
Do you have a phone number?
Don't have / There isn't
No problem, I'll help you
冇 is unique to Cantonese! It's not found in Mandarin. It means “don't have” or “there isn't”.
- mou5冇don't have / there isn't