maai5買
to buy
ngo5我soeng2想maai5買ni1呢gin2件saam1衫
I want to buy this shirt
ngo5我soeng2想maai5買ni1呢go3個，gei2幾do1多cin2錢
I want to buy this, how much is it?
hou2好peng4平aa3呀，ngo5我maai5買
It's very cheap, I'll buy it
Learn
Buying Things
I want to buy this
Once you have settled on a price, you need to actually buy the thing, and this lesson covers the final step. You will say you want to buy something, walk away when you do not, and ask whether a shop has an item or any alternatives. These phrases turn browsing into a finished purchase.
What you'll learn
- Say you want to buy with 買 (maai5)
- Decline politely using 唔買 (m4 maai5)
- Ask if they have something: 有冇 (jau5 mou5)
- Ask for other options with 有冇其他 (jau5 mou5 kei4 taa1)
Complete your shopping transaction with these essential phrases!
m4唔maai5買
not buying / won't buy
taai2太gwai3貴laa3喇，m4唔maai5買laa3喇
It's too expensive, I won't buy it
jau5有mou5冇
do you have...?
jau5有mou5冇sai3細di1啲ge3嘅
Do you have smaller ones?
jau5有mou5冇kei4其taa1他
do you have others?
ni1呢go3個ngaan4顏sik1色m4唔ngaam1啱，jau5有mou5冇kei4其taa1他ngaan4顏sik1色
This color isn't right, do you have other colors?
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to buy” in Cantonese?
The verb is 買 (maai5). To say you are not buying, just add the negative: 唔買 (m4 maai5).
How do you ask if a shop has something in Cantonese?
Use 有冇 (jau5 mou5), which literally pairs “have” and “not have” to mean “do you have?”. For other choices, ask 有冇其他 (jau5 mou5 kei4 taa1).
How do you politely say no to a seller in Cantonese?
A simple 唔買 (m4 maai5), “not buying”, is clear and not rude. Pair it with a smile and you can move on without any awkwardness.