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Common Responses

Quick responses for everyday situations

7words
25XP
7–12min
Practice this lesson

Once you can greet and ask, you need ready replies to keep a conversation flowing. This lesson gives you the short responses people reach for constantly: an upbeat 好呀 (hou2 aa3), a reassuring 冇問題 (mou5 man6 tai4), and ways to say you understand with 明白 (ming4 baak6) or don't with 唔明 (m4 ming4). They will help you react quickly and sound at ease.

What you'll learn

  • Agree enthusiastically with “okay!” 好呀 (hou2 aa3)
  • Brush off a worry with “it's okay,” 唔緊要 (m4 gan2 jiu3)
  • Reassure with “no problem,” 冇問題 (mou5 man6 tai4)
  • Admit “I don't know” with 唔知 (m4 zi1)
  • Confirm “I understand” with 明白 (ming4 baak6)
  • Say “I don't understand” with 唔明 (m4 ming4)

Learn some handy responses you'll use all the time in conversations!

hou2好aa3呀

Okay! / Sure!

hou2好aa3呀,heoi3去jam2飲caa4茶laa1啦!

Sure, let's go for dim sum!

m4唔gan2緊jiu3要

It's okay / No problem / Never mind

ci4遲zo2咗siu2少siu2少dou1都m4唔gan2緊jiu3要。

Being a little late is okay.

mou5冇man6問tai4題

No problem

bong1幫nei5你mou5冇man6問tai4題!

Helping you is no problem!

m4唔zi1知

I don't know

m4唔zi1知gei2幾dim2點hoi1開mun4門

I don't know what time it opens

zi1知

to know / be aware

ngo5我zi1知laa3喇,do1多ze6謝

I know now, thanks

ming4明baak6白

I understand

ming4明baak6白,ngo5我wui5會zeon2準si4時dou3到

I understand, I'll be on time

m4唔ming4明

I don't understand

m4唔ming4明,ho2可m4唔ho2可ji5以zoi3再gong2講jat1一ci3次?

I don't understand, can you say it again?

Frequently asked questions

How do you say no problem in Cantonese?

Say 冇問題 (mou5 man6 tai4). For shrugging off something minor, 唔緊要 (m4 gan2 jiu3), meaning “never mind,” also works well.

How do you say I understand in Cantonese?

Use 明白 (ming4 baak6) to show you understand. If you are lost, say 唔明 (m4 ming4), which means “I don't understand.”

How do you say okay or sure in Cantonese?

A cheerful 好呀 (hou2 aa3) is the go to response, perfect for agreeing to a plan or accepting an offer.

How do you say I don't know in Cantonese?

Say 唔知 (m4 zi1). It is short, common, and useful whenever you are unsure of an answer.