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Please & Excuse Me

Polite requests and getting attention

6words
25XP
6–10min
Practice this lesson

Knowing how to ask politely makes everyday situations far easier. This lesson teaches you to excuse yourself through a crowd with 唔該借借 (m4 goi1 ze3 ze3), open a question with 請問 (cing2 man6), and ask for help using 幫幫手 (bong1 bong1 sau2). These small phrases let you get attention and make requests without ever sounding rude.

What you'll learn

  • Excuse yourself to pass with 唔該借借 (m4 goi1 ze3 ze3)
  • Ask someone to “wait a moment,” 等一等 (dang2 jat1 dang2)
  • Politely open a question with 請問 (cing2 man6)
  • Ask for help using 幫幫手 (bong1 bong1 sau2)
  • Make a polite request to someone with 唔該你 (m4 goi1 nei5)

Need to get someone's attention or ask for something politely? These phrases will help!

m4唔goi1該ze3借ze3借

Excuse me (to pass through)

m4唔goi1該ze3借ze3借,ngo5我jiu3要ceot1出heoi3去

Excuse me, I need to get through

dang2等jat1一dang2等

Wait a moment

dang2等jat1一dang2等,ngo5我zau6就lai4嚟

Wait a moment, I'm coming

dang2等

to wait

nei5你dang2等ngo5我jat1一zan6陣laa1啦

Wait for me a moment

ceng2請man6問

May I ask... / Excuse me...

ceng2請man6問,gong2港tit3鐵zaam6站hai2喺bin1邊dou6度?

Excuse me, where is the MTR station?

bong1幫bong1幫sau2手

Help me please

m4唔goi1該,ho2可m4唔ho2可ji5以bong1幫bong1幫sau2手?

Excuse me, can you help me?

m4唔goi1該nei5你

Please (before asking someone a favour)

m4唔goi1該nei5你bong1幫ngo5我lo2攞go2嗰go3個

Please help me get that one

Frequently asked questions

How do you say excuse me in Cantonese?

To get past someone, say 唔該借借 (m4 goi1 ze3 ze3). To politely begin a question, such as asking for directions, use 請問 (cing2 man6).

How do you politely ask a question in Cantonese?

Start with 請問 (cing2 man6), which means “may I ask.” It signals respect and is the natural way to approach a stranger.

How do you ask for help in Cantonese?

A friendly way is 幫幫手 (bong1 bong1 sau2), meaning “please help me.” You can soften a request further by adding 唔該你 (m4 goi1 nei5).