hai6係mai6咪
is it? / right?
nei5你hai6係mai6咪hoeng1香gong2港jan4人
Are you a Hong Kong person?
Learn
Yes/No Questions
Question particles
Not every question needs a question word, and this lesson shows you the quick yes/no patterns that get a simple confirmation. You will use 係咪 (hai6 mai6) to ask “is it, right?” and 有冇 (jau5 mou5) for “have or not,” then apply them to real situations like asking if someone has time or whether a dish is tasty. These are the questions you will use constantly once you start speaking.
What you'll learn
- Ask “is it, right?” with 係咪 (hai6 mai6)
- Ask “is there?” or “have or not?” with 有冇 (jau5 mou5)
- Ask “do you have time?” using 有冇時間 (jau5 mou5 si4 gaan3)
- Ask “is it delicious?” with 係咪好食 (hai6 mai6 hou2 sik6)
- Turn statements into quick yes/no questions
Learn yes/no question patterns that turn statements into questions!
jau5有mou5冇
have or not? / is there?
nei5你jau5有mou5冇sai3細lou2佬
Do you have a younger brother?
nei5你hai6係mai6咪hok6學saang1生aa3呀
Are you a student?
jau5有mou5冇si4時gaan3間
Do you have time?
nei5你ting1聽jat6日jau5有mou5冇si4時gaan3間heoi3去soeng1商coeng4場？
Do you have time to go to the mall tomorrow?
hai6係mai6咪hou2好sik6食
Is it delicious?
ni1呢go3個soeng1商coeng4場hai6係mai6咪hou2好daai6大？
Is this mall big?
Frequently asked questions
How do you ask a yes/no question in Cantonese?
Two common ways are starting with 係咪 (hai6 mai6) to ask “is it, right?” and using the verb-not-verb form like 有冇 (jau5 mou5) for “have or not.” Both expect a simple yes or no in reply.
How do you ask if someone has time in Cantonese?
Say 有冇時間 (jau5 mou5 si4 gaan3), literally “have or not have time?” It is a handy way to check before making plans.
How do you ask if food is good in Cantonese?
Ask 係咪好食 (hai6 mai6 hou2 sik6) for “is it delicious?” The 係咪 turns the statement into a yes/no question.