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Lesson 3: Jòu Fóng

(Chàhn Gihtmìhng bòng Làhm Yèuhngjí dá dihnwáa mahn yáuhgwán jòufóng ge sih.)


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Fòhngdong Taaitáai: Wéi.¹ Wéi.
Used to answer the phone. It is also used to get someone's attention in informal situations, or with friends.
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Chàhn Gihtmìhng: Wéi, chéngmahn, néihdeih yáuhmóuh toufóng yiu chēutjòu a?
Fòhngdong: Yáuh² Yáuh
Cantonese has no direct equivalent to English 'yes' and 'no.' Typically, 'yes' is expressed by the affimative form of a verb, whereas 'no' is expressed by the negative form of the verb. Sometimes the affirmative or negative form of the copula *haih* 'to be' is used as sort of a generic affirmative or negative, meaning 'that is the way it is' (*haih*) or 'that is not the way it is' (*m̀hhaih*).
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! Yium̀hyiu táiháh a?
Chàhn: Yáuh Géi fóng géi tèng a³ Yáuh Géi fóng géi tèng a
This phrase (and the response to it) is an exception to the usual situation where a classifier is required between a number and a noun. This is a conventional expression that follows literary form where classifers are not required. Typically the bound form *géi-* 'how many' is prefixed to a classifer before a noun to ask about quantity. The noun can be deleted when what it refers to is clear from context.
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?
Fòhngdong: Léuhng⁴ Léuhng
*Léuhng* 'two' is a special form of *yìh* 'two' and is used before a classifier or measure. All other numbers use their regular forms when combining with classifiers or measures.
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fóng yāt tēng.
Chàhn: Yáuhmóuh sáisáugàan⁵ sáisáugàan
Literally 'wash hands room,' this term is a polite form of 'bathroom' or 'restroom.' Another common, less polite word is *chisó*, which is closer in feeling to the English 'toilet' or 'latrine.'
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, tùhng chèuihfóng ne?
Fòhngdong : Yáuh a. Sáisáugàan, tùhng chèuihfóng dōu géi daaihga.⁶ Sáisáugàan, tùhng chèuihfóng dōu géi daaihga.
This sentence is an example of a common structure in Cantonese called 'topic-comment.' The basic word order of Cantonese is Subject-Time-Place-Verb-Object (STPVO). Here the object nouns *sáisáugàan* 'washroom, bathroom' and *chyùhfóng* 'kitchen' are put at the head of the sentence for emphasis and prominence.
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Chàhn: Jòugām géidò chín a?
Fòhngdong: Baatbaak mān yātgo yuht, m̀hbàau séuidihn.
Chàhn: Gám⁷ Gám
The basic sense of *gám* is 'so, thus,' but it is used here as a pause marker meaning 'well...'
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, yium̀hyiu ngon'gām nē?
Fòhngdong : Yiu ńghbaakmān ngon'gām. Dím a? Séungm̀hséung jòu a?
Chàhn: Jòugām gwaijó dī, ngóh lámhah⁸ lámhah
Here *háh* 'a little' is affixed to *lam* 'to think' to soften the effect of the verb, to give the meaning 'to think on it,' 'to think awhile,' or 'to think a bit'; it can make the action expressed by the verb more casual. Another way to express the same idea is by the structure verb+*yāt*+verb, as in: *mahn+yāt+mahn* 'to ask around, to see what one can find out.'
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sìn, dākm̀hdāk a?
Fòhngdong : Dāk! Móuh mahntàih.
Chàhn: Gám, m̀hgòisaai. Joigin.
Fòhngdong : M̀hsái⁹ M̀hsái
A conventional response to 'thanks,' and the rough equivalent of 'you're welcome, don't mention it (lit. 'no need').
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haakhei. Joigin.


(Chàhn Gihtmìhng dá dihnwah béi Lòh Ōn-Nèih.)

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Lòh Ōn-Nèih: Wéi.
Chàhn: Ōn-Nèih a? Ngóh ngāamngāam bòng néih¹⁰ bòng néih
This is a coverbial clause meaning 'to help with,' in this case to make an enquiry on Yoko's behalf. Note that the coverbial phrase is placed before the main verb phrase---unlike the functionally similar prepositional phrase in English.
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pàhngyáuh Làhm Yèungjí
màhnjóháh jòufóng ge sih.
Lòh: M̀hgòisaai!
Chàhn: Haih la¹¹ Haih la
Literally meaning 'is', the phrase *haih la* is often used when a new thought has occurred to the speaker, similar to 'Oh yeah, I just remembered...' in English.
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. Ngóh taaitáai séung chéng néih tùhng Làhm Yèuhngjí lèih ngóhdeih ngūkkei sihkfaahn.
Lòh: M̀hsái gam haakhei¹² haakhei
Literally 'polite,' here *haakhei* indicates appreciation.
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lā.
Chàhn: Bihnfaahn je. Sìngkèihluhkmáahn, hóu m̀hhóu a?
Lòh: Hóu ā. Dòjèhsaai!

____________Additional Notes____________
This lesson shown with Chinese Characters This lesson shown with Chinese Characters
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[ Conventions and Grammatical Terms¹³ Conventions and Grammatical Terms

Click outside of this box to return to the lesson | Particles¹⁴ Particles

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Dates Dates
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| Numbers Numbers
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| Time Time
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| Housing Housing
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| Photo - Houses¹⁵ Photo - Houses

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Used to answer the phone. It is also used to get someone's attention in informal situations, or with friends.
Cantonese has no direct equivalent to English 'yes' and 'no.' Typically, 'yes' is expressed by the affimative form of a verb, whereas 'no' is expressed by the negative form of the verb. Sometimes the affirmative or negative form of the copula *haih* 'to be' is used as sort of a generic affirmative or negative, meaning 'that is the way it is' (*haih*) or 'that is not the way it is' (*m̀hhaih*).
This phrase (and the response to it) is an exception to the usual situation where a classifier is required between a number and a noun. This is a conventional expression that follows literary form where classifers are not required. Typically the bound form *géi-* 'how many' is prefixed to a classifer before a noun to ask about quantity. The noun can be deleted when what it refers to is clear from context.
*Léuhng* 'two' is a special form of *yìh* 'two' and is used before a classifier or measure. All other numbers use their regular forms when combining with classifiers or measures.
Literally 'wash hands room,' this term is a polite form of 'bathroom' or 'restroom.' Another common, less polite word is *chisó*, which is closer in feeling to the English 'toilet' or 'latrine.'
This sentence is an example of a common structure in Cantonese called 'topic-comment.' The basic word order of Cantonese is Subject-Time-Place-Verb-Object (STPVO). Here the object nouns *sáisáugàan* 'washroom, bathroom' and *chyùhfóng* 'kitchen' are put at the head of the sentence for emphasis and prominence.
The basic sense of *gám* is 'so, thus,' but it is used here as a pause marker meaning 'well...'
Here *háh* 'a little' is affixed to *lam* 'to think' to soften the effect of the verb, to give the meaning 'to think on it,' 'to think awhile,' or 'to think a bit'; it can make the action expressed by the verb more casual. Another way to express the same idea is by the structure verb+*yāt*+verb, as in: *mahn+yāt+mahn* 'to ask around, to see what one can find out.'
A conventional response to 'thanks,' and the rough equivalent of 'you're welcome, don't mention it (lit. 'no need').
This is a coverbial clause meaning 'to help with,' in this case to make an enquiry on Yoko's behalf. Note that the coverbial phrase is placed before the main verb phrase---unlike the functionally similar prepositional phrase in English.
Literally meaning 'is', the phrase *haih la* is often used when a new thought has occurred to the speaker, similar to 'Oh yeah, I just remembered...' in English.
Literally 'polite,' here *haakhei* indicates appreciation.

Cantonese: Word View, click below to listen
Lesson 3: Jòu Fóng

(Chàhn Gihtmìhng bòng Làhm Yèuhngjí dá dihnwáa mahn yáuhgwán jòufóng ge sih.)



Fòhngdong Taaitáai: Wéi.
Chàhn Gihtmìhng: Wéi, chéngmahn, néihdeih yáuhmóuh toufóng yiu chēutjòu a?
Fòhngdong: Yáuh! Yium̀hyiu táiháh a?
Chàhn: Yáuh Géi fóng géi tèng a?
Fòhngdong: Léuhng fóng yāt tēng.
Chàhn: Yáuhmóuh sáisáugàan, tùhng chèuihfóng ne?
Fòhngdong : Yáuh a. Sáisáugàan, tùhng chèuihfóng dōu géi daaihga.
Chàhn: Jòugām géidò chín a?
Fòhngdong: Baatbaak mān yātgo yuht, m̀hbàau séuidihn.
Chàhn: Gám, yium̀hyiu ngon'gām nē?
Fòhngdong : Yiu ńghbaakmān ngon'gām. Dím a? Séungm̀hséung jòu a?
Chàhn: Jòugām gwaijó dī, ngóh lámhah sìn, dākm̀hdāk a?
Fòhngdong : Dāk! Móuh mahntàih.
Chàhn: Gám, m̀hgòisaai. Joigin.
Fòhngdong : M̀hsái haakhei. Joigin.


(Chàhn Gihtmìhng dá dihnwah béi Lòh Ōn-Nèih.)


Lòh Ōn-Nèih: Wéi.
Chàhn: Ōn-Nèih a? Ngóh ngāamngāam bòng néih pàhngyáuh Làhm Yèungjí
màhnjóháh jòufóng ge sih.
Lòh: M̀hgòisaai!
Chàhn: Haih la. Ngóh taaitáai séung chéng néih tùhng Làhm Yèuhngjí lèih ngóhdeih ngūkkei sihkfaahn.
Lòh: M̀hsái gam haakhei lā.
Chàhn: Bihnfaahn je. Sìngkèihluhkmáahn, hóu m̀hhóu a?
Lòh: Hóu ā. Dòjèhsaai!

____________Additional Notes____________
This lesson shown with Chinese Characters
[Conventions and Grammatical Terms | Particles
Dates | Numbers | Time | Housing | Photo - Houses ]

Cantonese: Sentence View, click below to listen
Lesson 3: Jòu Fóng

(Chàhn Gihtmìhng bòng Làhm Yèuhngjí dá dihnwáa mahn yáuhgwán jòufóng ge sih.)



Fòhngdong Taaitáai: Wéi.
Chàhn Gihtmìhng: Wéi, chéngmahn, néihdeih yáuhmóuh toufóng yiu chēutjòu a?
Fòhngdong: Yáuh! Yium̀hyiu táiháh a?
Chàhn: Yáuh Géi fóng géi tèng a?
Fòhngdong: Léuhng fóng yāt tēng.
Chàhn: Yáuhmóuh sáisáugàan, tùhng chèuihfóng ne?
Fòhngdong : Yáuh a. Sáisáugàan, tùhng chèuihfóng dōu géi daaihga.
Chàhn: Jòugām géidò chín a?
Fòhngdong: Baatbaak mān yātgo yuht, m̀hbàau séuidihn.
Chàhn: Gám, yium̀hyiu ngon'gām nē?
Fòhngdong : Yiu ńghbaakmān ngon'gām. Dím a? Séungm̀hséung jòu a?
Chàhn: Jòugām gwaijó dī, ngóh lámhah sìn, dākm̀hdāk a?
Fòhngdong : Dāk! Móuh mahntàih.
Chàhn: Gám, m̀hgòisaai. Joigin.
Fòhngdong : M̀hsái haakhei. Joigin.


(Chàhn Gihtmìhng dá dihnwah béi Lòh Ōn-Nèih.)


Lòh Ōn-Nèih: Wéi.
Chàhn: Ōn-Nèih a? Ngóh ngāamngāam bòng néih pàhngyáuh Làhm Yèungjí màhnjóháh jòufóng ge sih.
Lòh: M̀hgòisaai!
Chàhn: Haih la. Ngóh taaitáai séung chéng néih tùhng Làhm Yèuhngjí lèih ngóhdeih ngūkkei sihkfaahn.
Lòh: M̀hsái gam haakhei lā.
Chàhn: Bihnfaahn je. Sìngkèihluhkmáahn, hóu m̀hhóu a?
Lòh: Hóu ā. Dòjèhsaai!

____________Additional Notes____________
This lesson shown with Chinese Characters
[Conventions and Grammatical Terms | Particles
Dates | Numbers | Time | Housing | Photo - Houses ]

American English: Word View, click below to listen
Lesson 3: Jòu Fóng

(Chàhn Gihtmìhng bòng Làhm Yèuhngjí dá dihnwáa mahn yáuhgwán jòufóng ge sih.)



Fòhngdong Taaitáai: Wéi.
Chàhn Gihtmìhng: Wéi, chéngmahn, néihdeih yáuhmóuh toufóng yiu chēutjòu a?
Fòhngdong: Yáuh! Yium̀hyiu táiháh a?
Chàhn: Yáuh Géi fóng géi tèng a?
Fòhngdong: Léuhng fóng yāt tēng.
Chàhn: Yáuhmóuh sáisáugàan, tùhng chèuihfóng ne?
Fòhngdong : Yáuh a. Sáisáugàan, tùhng chèuihfóng dōu géi daaihga.
Chàhn: Jòugām géidò chín a?
Fòhngdong: Baatbaak mān yātgo yuht, m̀hbàau séuidihn.
Chàhn: Gám, yium̀hyiu ngon'gām nē?
Fòhngdong : Yiu ńghbaakmān ngon'gām. Dím a? Séungm̀hséung jòu a?
Chàhn: Jòugām gwaijó dī, ngóh lámhah sìn, dākm̀hdāk a?
Fòhngdong : Dāk! Móuh mahntàih.
Chàhn: Gám, m̀hgòisaai. Joigin.
Fòhngdong : M̀hsái haakhei. Joigin.


(Chàhn Gihtmìhng dá dihnwah béi Lòh Ōn-Nèih.)


Lòh Ōn-Nèih: Wéi.
Chàhn: Ōn-Nèih a? Ngóh ngāamngāam bòng néih pàhngyáuh Làhm Yèungjí
màhnjóháh jòufóng ge sih.
Lòh: M̀hgòisaai!
Chàhn: Haih la. Ngóh taaitáai séung chéng néih tùhng Làhm Yèuhngjí lèih ngóhdeih ngūkkei sihkfaahn.
Lòh: M̀hsái gam haakhei lā.
Chàhn: Bihnfaahn je. Sìngkèihluhkmáahn, hóu m̀hhóu a?
Lòh: Hóu ā. Dòjèhsaai!

____________Additional Notes____________
This lesson shown with Chinese Characters
[Conventions and Grammatical Terms | Particles
Dates | Numbers | Time | Housing | Photo - Houses ]

American English: Sentence View, click below to listen
Lesson 3: Jòu Fóng

(Chàhn Gihtmìhng bòng Làhm Yèuhngjí dá dihnwáa mahn yáuhgwán jòufóng ge sih.)



Fòhngdong Taaitáai: Wéi.
Chàhn Gihtmìhng: Wéi, chéngmahn, néihdeih yáuhmóuh toufóng yiu chēutjòu a?
Fòhngdong: Yáuh! Yium̀hyiu táiháh a?
Chàhn: Yáuh Géi fóng géi tèng a?
Fòhngdong: Léuhng fóng yāt tēng.
Chàhn: Yáuhmóuh sáisáugàan, tùhng chèuihfóng ne?
Fòhngdong : Yáuh a. Sáisáugàan, tùhng chèuihfóng dōu géi daaihga.
Chàhn: Jòugām géidò chín a?
Fòhngdong: Baatbaak mān yātgo yuht, m̀hbàau séuidihn.
Chàhn: Gám, yium̀hyiu ngon'gām nē?
Fòhngdong : Yiu ńghbaakmān ngon'gām. Dím a? Séungm̀hséung jòu a?
Chàhn: Jòugām gwaijó dī, ngóh lámhah sìn, dākm̀hdāk a?
Fòhngdong : Dāk! Móuh mahntàih.
Chàhn: Gám, m̀hgòisaai. Joigin.
Fòhngdong : M̀hsái haakhei. Joigin.


(Chàhn Gihtmìhng dá dihnwah béi Lòh Ōn-Nèih.)


Lòh Ōn-Nèih: Wéi.
Chàhn: Ōn-Nèih a? Ngóh ngāamngāam bòng néih pàhngyáuh Làhm Yèungjí màhnjóháh jòufóng ge sih.
Lòh: M̀hgòisaai!
Chàhn: Haih la. Ngóh taaitáai séung chéng néih tùhng Làhm Yèuhngjí lèih ngóhdeih ngūkkei sihkfaahn.
Lòh: M̀hsái gam haakhei lā.
Chàhn: Bihnfaahn je. Sìngkèihluhkmáahn, hóu m̀hhóu a?
Lòh: Hóu ā. Dòjèhsaai!

____________Additional Notes____________
This lesson shown with Chinese Characters
[Conventions and Grammatical Terms | Particles
Dates | Numbers | Time | Housing | Photo - Houses ]