me1咩
what?
nei5你soeng2想sik6食me1咩
What do you want to eat?
Learn
What & Which
Asking about things
This lesson covers the two question words you reach for most when you want information about a thing: 咩 (me1) for “what” and 邊個 (bin1 go3) for “who” or “which one.” You will also learn to put them together so you can point at something and ask what it is. By the end you can ask after objects, people, and choices without freezing up mid-sentence.
What you'll learn
- Ask “what?” with 咩 (me1)
- Ask “who?” or “which one?” with 邊個 (bin1 go3)
- Ask “what is it?” using 係咩 (hai6 me1)
- Tell apart asking about things and asking about people
- Drop these question words into short, natural sentences
Learn how to ask “what” and “which” questions in Cantonese!
bin1邊go3個
who? / which one?
bin1邊go3個hai6係nei5你go1哥go1哥
Which one is your older brother?
ni1呢go3個hai6係me1咩
what is this?
nei5你daap6搭me1咩ce1車？
What vehicle do you take?
ni1呢go3個hai6係me1咩dim2點sam1心
What dim sum is this?
soeng2相jap6入min6面bin1邊go3個hai6係nei5你
Which one in the photo is you?
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “what” in Cantonese?
The everyday word for “what” is 咩 (me1), as in 係咩 (hai6 me1) meaning “what is it?” It is short and shows up constantly in casual speech.
How do you ask “which one” in Cantonese?
Use 邊個 (bin1 go3), which can mean either “who” or “which one” depending on context. Point at the options and 邊個 does the work.
What is the difference between 咩 and 邊個?
咩 (me1) asks “what” about a thing or idea, while 邊個 (bin1 go3) asks “who” or “which one” when you are choosing between people or items. This lesson makes the split clear with examples.