Daily Sentence Pattern

Daily Sentence Patterns 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41.

have ..................................................................................................................................... 3 not have .............................................................................................................................. 3 Do you have …?.................................................................................................................. 4 Do you have …? (in a shop) .............................................................................................. 5 Do you sell …? .................................................................................................................... 5 Where can I buy …?........................................................................................................... 6 Where may I get …? .......................................................................................................... 7 Is there a … here? ............................................................................................................. 7 Is there a … near here?.................................................................................................... 8 Where is the … ................................................................................................................... 9 on the …floor...................................................................................................................... 9 How to get to the …? ....................................................................................................... 10 be........................................................................................................................................ 10 not be................................................................................................................................. 11 Are you… ? ........................................................................................................................ 12 How about… ? (suggestions for time).......................................................................... 13 How about… ? (suggestions for something)............................................................... 13 How about going out to… ? ........................................................................................... 14 How about taking … ? .................................................................................................... 15 How about at … ?............................................................................................................. 16 How about …? .................................................................................................................. 16 How …? .............................................................................................................................. 17 How many /much…? (quantity) ..................................................................................... 17 How much …? (price)....................................................................................................... 18 will ..................................................................................................................................... 19 will not .............................................................................................................................. 19 Will you? ........................................................................................................................... 20 Do you?.............................................................................................................................. 20 don’t................................................................................................................................... 21 can ..................................................................................................................................... 21 cannot ............................................................................................................................... 22 May I…?/ Can you …? ...................................................................................................... 22 know (a fact) .................................................................................................................... 23 know where … is.............................................................................................................. 24 know (a person) ............................................................................................................... 24 can (capability of doing something)............................................................................ 25 be very............................................................................................................................... 26 be not / be not very (negative)....................................................................................... 26 too ...................................................................................................................................... 28 like ..................................................................................................................................... 28 like to eat or drink … ...................................................................................................... 29

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42. like to do … ....................................................................................................................... 29 43. don’t like ........................................................................................................................... 30 44. feel / think......................................................................................................................... 30 45. don’t feel / don’t think .................................................................................................... 31 46. out of order....................................................................................................................... 32 47. broken/ worn out ............................................................................................................. 32 48. Something is wrong with............................................................................................... 33 49. lost ..................................................................................................................................... 34 50. Please help me …............................................................................................................. 34 51. What is your name?........................................................................................................ 35 52. I am called ….................................................................................................................... 35 53. My surname is … ............................................................................................................. 36 54. have to............................................................................................................................... 36 55. take (transportation) ...................................................................................................... 36 56. … tell … .............................................................................................................................. 37 57. Verbs - positive ................................................................................................................ 38 58. Verbs - negative............................................................................................................... 39 59. Do you …? (present) ......................................................................................................... 41 60. Did you …? (past) ............................................................................................................. 41 61. Have you gone …? (perfect) ........................................................................................... 42 62. Will / Would you…? (future or willingness)................................................................. 43 63. Revision Exercises .......................................................................................................... 44 Glossaries: English to Cantonese........................................................................................... 63 The end of the book .................................................................................................................. 72

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 2

1.

have

3.

Do you have …?

1)

I have money

1)

Do (you) have an ID card?

ngóh yáuh chín I

2)

have

yáuh móuh sânsân-fán - jing

money

I have small change. ngóh yáuh sáansáan-jí I

3)

have

scatter paper(bank note)

You have pens néih/bât you

_________________________________________

2)

Does he have any money? kéuih

pen

yáuh móuh

he

4)

my

3)

friend

status

not have

chín money

a? PRT?

Do you have any luggage? néih / hàhnghàhng-léih___________________________________

2.

not have

1)

I don’t have any money

you

ngóh móuh chín

5)

I not have money Cantonese will not say “any” in negative sentences.

luggage

Does Peter have a reservation? Peter/dehng wái Peter / book

I don’t have any kids

6)

ngóh móuh saisai-mânmân-jái not have

_________________________________________

problem

4)

I

Do (you) have any problems? mahnmahn-tàih

certificate

___________________________________________________

3)

have

My friend has an ID card ngóh pàhngpàhng-yáuh / sânsân-fánfán- jing

2)

a?

have not have status certificate PRT? -“néih” means “you” could be put at the very beginning. However, because it is always understood, most of the time, “néih” is omitted -generally speaking, when people try to be more polite, they say “néih”, otherwise people skip it and it sounds more casual. -Cantonese use this “A-not-A” pattern for “Yes/No” questions. -The typical answer here is “have yáuh” or “not have móuh”

_____________________________________ _____________________________________

place

Do you have beer? (in a restaurant) bêbê-jáu _______________________________________

kids

beer -in restaurants or shops, people skip “you néih” very often. If you want to say it, remember to say “néih deih” (plural form of you) but not just “néih” (singular form of you)

He doesn’t has time kéuih /sìh/sìh-gaan____________________________________ gaan____________________________________ he

4)

time

7)

Do you have fried noodles? (in a restaurant) cháaucháau-mihn _____________________________________

We don’t have any books

stir-fry noodles

ngóhngóh-deih / syû____________________________________ we

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books

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Daily Sentence Patterns

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8)

Do you have BBQ pork with rice? (in a restaurant)

2)

châchâ-sîusîu-faahn_______________________________________ BBQ pork

9)

Do you sell batteries? yáuh móuh dihndihn-sâm

rice

have not have

Do you have Whisky?

3)

maaih

battery

a?

sell

PRT?

Do you sell this one?

wâiwâi-sihsih-géi _________________________________________

nînî-go ______________________________________________

4.

Do you have …? (in a shop)

this MW -the MW “go” has to be changed accordingly depends on the object you mention. Because different objects may take different MWs. However if you do not know the appropriate MW for that object, you just feel free to use “go”, because it is the most general MW and people will understand.

1)

Do you have a larger one? yáuh móuh daaihdaaih-dî

4)

ga / a?

have not have large er -you can treat “dî dî” dî means more

job

5) 2)

Do you sell handcrafts? gûnggûng-ngaihngaih-bán

PRT?

Do you have a smaller one?

art

Do you sell souvenirs? geigei-nihmnihm-bán

saisai-dî _____________________________________________

_____________________________________ _____________________________________

things

memory

_____________________________________

things

small er

3)

Do you have a blue one? làahmlàahm-sîk blue

4)

colour

6.

Where can I buy …?

1)

Where can I buy this one? bînbîn-douh yáuh nî go where

Do you have a black one? hâakhâak-sîk black

5)

_________________________________________

_________________________________________

colour

2)

pèhngpèhng-dî

maaih

this MW

a?

sell

PRT?

Watson's sells this WâtWât-SàhnSàhn-Sí yáuh nînî-go

maaih

Watson's have this MW sell It’s a typical long answer. You can notice that the order of questions and answers are always the same in Cantonese.

Do you have a cheaper one? cheap

have

_________________________________________

er

3) * * * * *

Where can I buy this book? nînî-bún syû __________________________________ this MW

5.

Do you sell …?

1)

Do you sell maps ? yáuh móuh deihdeih-tòuh have not have

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ground diagram

4) maaih sell

book

Where can I buy this brand? nînî-go pàaihpàaih-jí

a?

this MW

PRT?

Page 5

__________________________________

brand

Daily Sentence Patterns

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3)

7.

Where may I get …?

1)

Where can I got a barber shop? bînbîn-douh yáuh where

2)

have

barber

shop

yáuh,

exchange

a? PRT?

4)

___________________________________

5)

car

ground

Is there a canteen? faahnfaahn-tòhng ________________________________________ ________________________________________

shops

rice hall - quite often, Hong Kong people say the English “canteen” instead of “faahn tòhng”

Where may I get a book store syûsyû-gúk

________________________________________

9.

books bureau

5)

Is there a car park here? stop

gúgú-dúngdúng-póu ___________________________________ ___________________________________

4)

gó - douh

tìhngtìhng-chêchê-chèuhng ___________________________________

shop

Where may I get an antique shop? antique

hái

have , at there place -a typical answer -because the question is “have not have…?”, people have to answer “not have móuh” or “have yáuh” instead of “yes or no”. Actually people don’t have the word which means “yes” or “no”.

Where may I get a money exchange shop? jáaujáau-wuhnwuhn-dim

3)

fêifêi-faatfaat-póu

Yes, it’s over there

1)

Where may I get a stationery shop màhnmàhn-geuihgeuih-póu stationery

Is there a wash room near here? fuhfuh-gahn yáuh móuh sáisái-sáusáu-gâan a?

____________________________________

nearby have not have wash room -use in an outdoor situation but not in an indoor situation

shops

* * * * *

Is there a … near here?

2)

Is there a telephone near here? fuhfuh-gahn yáuh móuh

8. 1)

Is there a … here? here have not have -use in indoor situation

2)

nearby

Is there a telephone here? (nînî-douh) douh) yáuh móuh dihndihn-wá telephone

3)

a?

not have

dihndihn-wá telephone

a? PRT?

Is there a automatic teller machine near here? draw

4)

money machine

Is there a post office near here? yàuhyàuh-gúk __________________________________________

¬h¬h-hóu yiyi-si, (nî(nî-douh) móuh dihndihn-wá here

have not have

tàih - fún - gêi ______________________________________ ______________________________________

PRT?

I’m sorry, there is no telephone here. sorry , -a typical answer

PRT?

post bureau

telephone

5)

Is there a police station near here? châaichâai-gún __________________________________________ police station

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Daily Sentence Patterns

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4)

___________________________________________________

10. Where is the … 1)

Where is the washroom? sáisái-sáusáu-gâan

hái

bînbîn-douh

5)

a?

1)

hái yâtyât-láu

wash hands room

1st

at

live

12. How to get to the …?

The washroom is on the 1st floor? sáisái-sáusáu-gâan

We live on the 23rd floor jyuh ______________________________________________

wash hands room at where PRT? -They put the words order of the question in this way because in a statement or an answer (see below), the order is this. In Cantonese the word orders of a question and a statement is the same. It is quite different from English, where the question word must be at the very beginning.

2)

They are on the 16th floor

How to get to the Grand Hyatt Hotel? dímdím-yéung heui

floor

how

3)

Where is the taxi station? dîkdîk-sí - jaahm taxi

____________________________________

2)

Grand Hyatt

Where is the information desk? sêunsêun-mahnmahn-chyu enquiry

3)

__________________________________

ground

* * * * *

It’s on the 5th floor

hái çgh - láu at 5th floor “5” should be pronounced as çgh instead of ±h. However because most people say ±h and it is generally accepted.

13. be 1)

I am an American ngóh haih MéihMéih-GwokGwok-yàhn I

It’s on the 2nd floor ___________________________________________________

3)

centre

fêi -gêi - chèuhng____________________________________

place

11. on the …floor

2)

PRT?

How to get to the airport fly machine

1)

a?

JûngJûng-Sâm_____________________________

convention exhibition

4)

hotel

How to get to the HK convention and exhibition centre Wuih - Jín

station

GwânGwân-Yuht jáujáu-dim

go

2)

She is on the ground floor

be

the USA

people

She is my colleague kéuih

haih haih

she

be

ngóh

tùhngtùhng-sih

my

colleague

deih deih-há ____________________________________________

3)

ground floor

You are Chinese néih / JûngJûng-GwokGwok-yàhn______________________________ you

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China

Daily Sentence Patterns

person

Page 10

4)

They are my friends

2)

kéuihkéuih-deih / ngóh pàhngpàhng-yáuh_________________________ they

5)

my

kéuih

friends

3)

gâmgâm-yaht/láihyaht/láih-baaibaai-yih ______________________________

6)

4)

Mary is not Canadian person

He is not my husband kéuih /ngóh sînsîn-sâan sâan

Saturday

he

my

________________________________

husband

15. Are you… ?

9th month

1)

today

8

you

________________________________

number

2)

8

not

no.

3)

__________________________________________________

be

China

haih ¬h haih

she

gâmgâm-yaht / sahpsahp-yuht baatbaat-houh 10th month

be

a?

people

PRT

Is she your friend? kéuih

Today is the 8th October today

Are you Chinese? néih haih ¬h haih JûngJûng-GwokGwok-yàhn

Today is the 8th gâmgâm-yaht / baatbaat-houh

be

not

néih pàhngpàhng-yáuh be

your

friend

a? PRT

Are they American? kéuihkéuih-deih /Méih/Méih-GwokGwok-yàhn_________________________ they

the USA

person

It is 5:30 now yìhyìh-gâ / çghçgh-dímdím-bun now

5

________________________________

4)

o’clock half

Is he your boy friend? kéuih / néih nàahmnàahm-pàhngpàhng-yáuh _______________________ he

14. not be 1)

wife

It is September now now

10)

taaitaai-táai

my

Canada

yìhyìh-gâ / gáugáu-yuht___________________________________

9)

ngóh

be

Mary/ GâGâ-NàhNàh-DaaihDaaih-yàhn___________________________

Tomorrow is Saturday tomorrow

8)

not

Tuesday

tîngtîng-yaht / láihláih-baaibaai-luhk ___________________________

7)

¬h haih

she

Today is Tuesday today

She is not my wife

5)

be

friend

Is she your girl friend? she

ngóh ¬h haih YîngYîng-GwokGwok-yàhn not

male

kéuih / néih néuihnéuih-pàhngpàhng-yáuh _______________________

I am not British I

your

British

your

female

friend

people

6)

Is this dress better? nînî-tìuh kwàhn / hóuhóu-dî ______________________________ this MW

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dress

Daily Sentence Patterns

good er (better)

Page 12

7)

Is this cheaper? nînî-go/pèhnggo/pèhng-dî this MW cheap

8)

_____________________________________

something) 1)

er

chàh hóu ¬h hóu a? tea

Is this brand better? nînî-go pàaihpàaih-jí / hóuhóu-dî________________________________ this

brand

2)

better

3)

hóu ¬h hóu a? a?

4)

3

doll

____________________________________ ____________________________________

5)

6)

Sunday

no need PRT,

How about on next Monday 4:00? láihláih-baaibaai-yât Monday

1)

4 o’clock

How about going out to a movie? (heui) heui) tái hei go watch movie -suggestions for going out

It’s fine, no problem â,

¬h¬h-gôi thanks for help or service

18. How about going out to… ?

seisei-dím

__________________________________________________

hóu

please

No, thanks ¬h sái la,

__________________________________________________

next

noodle

Yes, please fine PRT,

láihláih-baaibaai-yaht

hahhah-go

instant eat

hóu â, ¬h¬h-gôi

How about on this Sunday? this MW

jîkjîk-sihksihk-mihn

noodle

__________________________________________________

o’clock half

nînî-go

How about fast food noodles? gûnggûng-jáijái-mihn /

How about 3:30 ? sâamsâam-dímdím-bun

5)

How about coffee? gaga-fê ______________________________________________

tomorrow good not good PRT? -For making suggestions, say what you suggest first, then say “hóu ¬h hóu a?” at the end.

4)

_________________________________________

water

How about tomorrow? tîngtîng-yaht

3)

PRT?

How about plain water? clear

16. How about… ? (suggestions for time)

2)

good not good

chîng séui

* * * * *

1)

How about tea?

(móuh mahn tàih)

2)

good (fine) PRT, no problem When somebody asks “How about …?” people could answer in this way

hóu ¬h hóu a? a? good not good

PRT?

How about going out to have dinner? sihk faahn

_________________________________________ _________________________________________

eat rice -unless people want to emphasis, they won’t say dinner: “máahn faahn”

17. How about… ? (suggestions for http://www.clc.com.hk

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Daily Sentence Patterns

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3)

How about going out to have dance? tiutiu-móuh

_________________________________________

jump dance(it’s a noun here but not a verb) they call “tiu“tiu-móuh” is a verb-object compound. “móuh” itself is a noun here, when it combines with “jump tiu”, “tiu móuh” becomes the verb of “dance” in English.

4)

How about going out to hike?

5)

3)

dáng hóu ¬h hóu a?

door opening

wait

good not good

PRT?

How about at your home? néih ûkûk-kéi _______________________________________

stuff

your

home

21. How about …?

stuff

1)

How about you? néih

How about taking a taxi?

2)

(daap) dîk dîkîk-sí hóu ¬h hóu a? take taxi good not good suggestions for transportation

dím

you

19. How about taking … ?

a? a?

how

PRT?

I go to TST, how about you? ngóh heui heui JîmJîm-SâSâ-Jéui, néih

PRT?

I

3)

How about taking the MTR?

go

TST

Peter

ground iron

4)

How about taking a minibus?

,

dím you

a? a? how

PRT?

Peter is sick, how about him? Peter be behnghng-jó,

deihdeih-tit___________________________________________

3)

PRT?

How about going out to eat something? eat

2)

good not good

How about waiting at the doorway? at

sihk yéh____________________________________________

1)

ngóh gûnggûng-sî hóu ¬h hóu a? a?

at my company -suggestions for a place

(hái) mùhnmùhn- háu

yám yéh____________________________________________

6)

How about at my office? (hái) hái)

mountain

How about going out to drink something? drink

1)

2)

hàahnghàahng-sâan_______________________________________ walk

20. How about at … ?

sick

ed,

kéuih he

dím

a? a? how

PRT?

How about this matter? nînî-gihn sih _________________________________________ _________________________________________

síusíu-bâ___________________________________________ bâ___________________________________________

this MW matter

small bus

5)

How about this project? nînî-go project________________________________________ this MW project -most of the time, Hong Kong people say the English “project” instead of the Cantonese words

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Daily Sentence Patterns

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6)

How about the meeting?

3)

How many kids? (expect the quantity is small)

go wúi___________________________________________

géi dô

MW meeting

how many MW kids Here the MW is used, means the speaker expect the number of children should be small.

go saisai-mânmân-jái

* * * * * 4)

tùhngtùhng-sih______________________________________

22. How …? 1)

noih

how

2)

colleagues

How long does it take? géi

a?

long(for time, not for length)

5)

PRT?

MW colleagues

How far? 6)

computers

7) How tall is Peter?

How many computers? (expect the quantity is small) bouh dihndihn-nóuh___________________________________

(Cantonese order: Peter how tall?)

MW

gôu________________________________________________

5)

How many computers? (expect the quantity is large) dihndihn-nóuh___________________________________

How tall? gôu________________________________________________

4)

How many colleagues? (expect the quantity is small) go tùhngtùhng-sih______________________________________

yúhn_______________________________________________

3)

How many colleagues? (expect the quantity is large)

How many?

computers

24. How much …? (price)

dô_________________________________________________

1)

How much? géi (do (do) do) chín a ? how

much

money

PRT?

23. How many /much…? (quantity) 1)

2)

How much salt? géi

dô yìhm

nînî-go géi chín a ?

a?

this MW

how much salt PRT? -because “salt” is uncountable, it doesn’t take any MW.

3) 2)

How many people ? (expect the quantity is large) géi dô

yàhn

How much is this one? how

money

PRT?

How much is this dress? nînî-tìuh kwàhn_______________________________________

a?

this MW

dress

how many people PRT? In questions, if the speaker expect the number of the answer is large, usually more then ten, no MW is used and vice versa.

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Daily Sentence Patterns

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4)

How much is this watch?

3)

nînî-jek sáusáu-bîu_____________________________________ this MW

5)

kéuihkéuih-deih / têng néih góng___________________________

hand watch

they

listen

you

say

How much is the fare? chêchê-fai____________________________________________

27. Will you?

car expense

6)

They won’t listen to you

1)

Will you go to Europe? néih

How much in total?

wúih ¬h wúih heui ÂuÂu-Jâu

a?

I will not will go Europe PRT -the typical short answers are “will wúih” or “not will ¬h wúih” -don’t like English, in “yes/no question”, the answers always start with “yes” or “no”

yâtyât-guhng_________________________________________

* * * * * 2)

néih / máaih ______________________________________ ______________________________________

25. will 1)

you

I will go to France ngóh wúih heui FaatFaat-Gwok I

2)

Will you buy it?

will

go

3)

France

buy

Will they come? kéuihkéuih-deih / làih _____________________________________ they

I will practice Cantonese

come

ngóh / lihnlihn-jaahp GwóngGwóng-DûngDûng-Wá I

practice

Cantonese

28. Do you?

__________________________________________________

3)

1)

néih

I will do my homework do homework

2)

a?

Do you buy? you

buy

I will not go to New Zealand ngóh ¬h wúih heui NáuNáu-SâiSâi-Làahn I

2)

ÂuÂu-Jâu

néih / máaih ______________________________________

26. will not 1)

heui ¬h heui

I go not go Europe PRT -the typical short answer are “go heui” or “not go ¬h heui”.

ngóh / jouh gûnggûng-fo__________________________________ I

Do you go to Europe?

not will

go

3)

Do they come? kéuihkéuih-deih / làih____________________________________

New Zealand

they come -come could be pronounced as “làih” or “lèih”

She won’t believe you kéuih / seunseun-néih ___________________________________ she

believe

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you

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Daily Sentence Patterns

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29. don’t

31. cannot

1)

1)

I don’t eat meat ngóh

¬h

sihk

not

eat

I

2)

yuhk

¬h hó yíh

meat

not

I don’t go to Japan

2)

ngóh / heui YahtYaht-Bún_______________________________ I

3)

go

3)

cigarette

yíngyíng-séung

can

take photo

(You) can’t come in enter come

She doesn’t eat salad

4)

kéuih/ sihk sâsâ-léut__________________________________ eat

yîn

yahpyahp-làih___________________________________________

this MW clothes

she

eat

(You) can’t take photos not

jûngjûng-yi nînî-gihn sâam___________________________ sâam___________________________

4)

sihk

can

¬h hó yíh

Japan

I don’t like this clothes like

(You) can’t smoke

(You) can’t go out chêutchêut-heui__________________________________________ heui__________________________________________

salad

out

go

* * * * *

32. May I…?/ Can you …?

30. can 1)

1)

You can smoke here nînî-douh

hó yíh

here

2)

hó ¬h hóhó-yíh sisi-háh a?

sihk

can

May I try it?

eat

yîn

can not can try a while PRT ? -the answer may be “can hóhó-yíh” or “not can ¬h hóhó-yíh”

cigarette

2)

(You) can stay here

Can we change it to Tuesday? gói

néih/làuh hái douh___________________________________ you

3)

stay

at

change/correct Tuesday -here you could also say “gói láih-baai-yih dâk ¬h dâk a”? -say your request first then say “dâk ¬h dâk a?” at the end

here

(You) can take away lîng jáu____________________________________________ take

láihláih-baaibaai-yih ________________________________

leave/away

3)

May I take a look at it ? tái

háh __________________________________________ __________________________________________

look a while

4)

May I smoke here? nî douh sihk yîn_______________________________________ here

http://www.clc.com.hk

Page 21

eat cigarette

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 22

5)

May I take photos here? yíng

séung__________________________________________

take image photos

6)

34. know where … is 1)

ngóh

tái dihndihn-sih___________________________________________ TV

2)

3)

I

jî know

jî

at

where

ChekChek-Chyúh hái bînbîn-douh

know

Stanley

at

where

I know where your home is. néih ûkûk-kéi

I know this matter ngóh

washroom

I know where Stanley is I

33. know (a fact)

sáisái-sáusáu-gâan hái bînbîn-douh

know

ngóh

* * * * *

1)

jî

I

May I watch TV? (a child speak to his mother) watch

I know where the wash room is

your

_____________________________________

home

nî gihn sih

4)

this MW matter

I know where your office is néih gûnggûng-sî _____________________________________

2)

I know who Clinton is ngóh I

ngóh I

3)

jî know

jî know

your

company

HâakHâak-LàhmLàhm-Deuhn haih bînbîn-go Clinton

bînbîn-go

be

5)

who

haih HâakHâak-LàhmLàhm-Deuhn

who

be

I don’t know where the telephone is dihndihn-wá

Clinton

_________________________________________

electric speak

You don’t know this matter

6)

¬h jî / nî gihn sih _________________________________

I don’t know where the MTR station is deihdeih-tittit-jaahm

____________________________________ ____________________________________

don’t know this MW matter

4)

I know today is Sunday sîngsîng-kèihkèih-yaht /láih/láih-baaibaai-yaht______________________________ Sunday / Sunday -both “sîng“sîng-kèihkèih-yaht” and “láih“láih-baaibaai-yaht” are equally common and the former one is a little bit more formal.

5)

35. know (a person) 1)

2)

I know Mary is your colleague

ngóh

sîk

I

know

Peter Peter

I know him __________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

6)

I know Peter

3)

I know who your wife is

I know his father bàh bàh-bâ_____________________________________________

___________________________________________________

papa

http://www.clc.com.hk

Page 23

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 24

4)

I know your boss bôbô-sí _____________________________________________

37. be very

boss

1)

I am very hungry ngóh

36. can (capability of doing something) 1)

I can cook ngóh

sîk

I

2)

know

jyújyú-faahn cook rice

2)

he

ngóh / góng síusíu-síu GwóngGwóng-DûngDûng-Wá /

speak little little

Cantonese

3)

___________________________________________________

hóu

yáuhyáuh-chín

very

have money

Your friend is very fat néih pàhngpàhng-yáuh/ fèih_______________________________ your

3)

tóuhtóuh-ngoh ngoh

He is very rich kéuih

I can speak a little bit of Cantonese I

hóu

I very hungry -as a habit, people would add a modifier before an adjective. If there is no such modifier, they add “hóu”, means “very” before an adjective. - there is no need to add “verb to be” before an adjective. Unless the speaker wants to emphasis it.

friend

fat

I don’t know Japanese ¬h sîk /Yaht/Yaht-Mán_____________________________________ don’t know Japanese language

4)

4)

She is very pretty kéuih/ leng _________________________________________ _________________________________________

I can dance

she

pretty

tiutiu-móuh___________________________________________

5) 5)

I can play piano tàahn

They are very lazy kéuihkéuih-deih / láahn__________________________________

-

play on stringed instrument / press down

kàhm

they

lazy

piano

__________________________________________________

6) 6)

You are very hardworking néih/ kàhnkàhn-lihk

My friend doesn’t know English

_____________________________________

YîngYîng-Mán___________________________________________ British language

7)

38. be not / be not very (negative)

I don’t know Mandarin/Putonghua. GwokGwok-Yúh / PóuPóu-TûngTûng-Wá_______________________________ Mandarin / Putonghua (Mandarin and Putonghua are the same. Putonghua is the name used by the Chinese government)

1)

I am not tall ngóh I

¬h not

gôu tall

* * * * * http://www.clc.com.hk

Page 25

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 26

2)

I am not very tall ngóh

¬h haih hóu

39. too

gôu

1)

I not be very tall -if “hóu” is used in a negative case, “haih” have to be used as well

3)

¬h

I

4)

2)

not

be

3)

hôihôi-sâm

very

4)

PRT

This pair of pants is too long long

You are too heavy you

5)

My friend is not very ugly

heavy

It’s too noisy here nî douh/ chòuh______________________________________

___________________________________________________

7)

la

expensive

néih/ chúhng_______________________________________ chúhng_______________________________________

ugly

__________________________________________________

6)

gwai

This clothes is too large

this pants

ngóh pàhng yáuh/ cháucháu-yéung friend

too

tìuh fu/ chèuhng_____________________________________

happy

My friend is not ugly my

pen

this MW clothes large

I am not very happy I

MW

nî gihn sâam/ daaih_________________________________

happy

¬h haih hóu

jî bât taai

this

hôihôi-sâm

not

ngóh

5)

nî

I am not happy ngóh

This pen is too expensive

here

You are not thin

noisy

* * * * *

néih/ sau___________________________________________ you

8)

thin

40. like 1)

You are not very thin

ngóh

___________________________________________________

9)

I

10)

jûngjûng-yi

I

I am not free ngóh/ dâkdâk-hàahn

I like brown

2)

__________________________________

like

I like yellow wòhngwòhng-sîk _________________________________________ _________________________________________

free

yellow

I am not very free

3)

___________________________________________________

color

I like rose mùihmùih-gwaigwai-(fâ)_____________________________________ fâ)_____________________________________ rose

http://www.clc.com.hk

fêfê-sîk brown colour

Page 27

Daily Sentence Patterns

flower

Page 28

2)

41. like to eat or drink … 1)

tàahn (gong)(gong)-kàhm__________________________________

I like coke ngóh

jûngjûng-yi

yám

I like playing piano play

hóhó-lohk

I like drinking coke -quite often, people say “yám” or “sihk” for drinks and food respectively as well

3)

piano

I like watching movies tái hei

2)

I like chocolate ngóh

jûngjûng-yi

I

3)

sihk jyûjyû-gûgû-lîk

like

eat

chocolate

43. don’t like

I like sprite

1)

SyutSyut-Bîk_________________________________________

4)

I don’t like black ngóh

¬h jûngjûng-yi

I

like

2)

I like beer

3)

bêbê-jáu____________________________________________

_________________________________________ _________________________________________

I don’t like eating beef sihk ngàuhngàuh-yuhk eat

cow

____________________________________

meat

I like ice-cream 4)

syutsyut-gôu__________________________________________ snow

I don’t like eating fish sihk yú____________________________________________

cake

eat

7)

black colour

I don’t like red hùhnghùhng-sîk

wine/ alcohol

6)

hâakhâak-sîk

I like wine jáu______________________________________________

5)

_________________________________________

watch movie

fish

I like cigarette sihk yîn ____________________________________________ ____________________________________________

44. feel / think

eat cigarette

1)

ngóh

42. like to do … 1)

jûngjûng-yi

I

like

gokgok-dâk

¬h¬h-syûsyû-fuhk

I feel not comfortable -if someone wants to say “I’m sick”, just say “ngóh ¬h syû fuhk” is OK.

I like playing tennis ngóh

I feel sick

dá móhngmóhng-kàuh beat

net

2)

ball

I think he is stupid ngóh

gokgok-dâk

kéuih hóu

chéun

I feel he very stupid -in Cantonese, only for calculation in people’s mind, they say “think nám”. If it is a direct feeling, they say “feel gok dâk“ instead.

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Page 29

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 30

3)

I think its’ expensive ngóh

gokgok-dâk

4)

hóu gwai

kéuih / ¬h lêk

I feel very expensive -If someone say, “ ngóh nám(think) hóu gwai” means he thinks it would be very expensive”, the speaker doesn’t know the exact price. If he knows the exact price and think it’s expensive, he has to say “ngóh gok dâk hóu gwai”.

4)

she

* * * * *

46. out of order

tàuhtàuh-tung

1)

_________________________________________

house/ very good value

she

7)

2)

3)

The telephone is out of order go dihndihn-wá_______________________________________

I think you idiotic

MW electrical speech

néih/hóu baahkbaahk-chî_________________________________ very

_________________________________________

MW(the) car

_____________________________________

very good

you

waaih - jó

The car has broken down bouh chê

I think she is very nice kéuih/hóu hóu

láahngáahng-hei - gêi

MW(the) cold air machine out of order ed -“waaih” means functional problem, the appearance doesn’t tell the problem. -“jó” is an aspect particle that shows “waaih” has happened.

I think this house is good value this MW

The air-conditioner is out of order (broken) bouh

painful

nî gâan ûk /hóu dái______________________________

6)

_____________________________________ _____________________________________

not smart

I feel headache head

5)

I don’t think she is not smart

idiotic

47. broken/ worn out 1)

45. don’t feel / don’t think 1)

¬h gokgok-dâk

I

2)

not

feel

(hóu) yiht very

¬h gokgok-dâk

I

not

feel

2) very

MW(the)

chêung window

laahn - jó broken

ed

fat

3)

The glass/cup is broken jêk bûi _______________________________________

kéuih deih / hóu sêui_______________________________

http://www.clc.com.hk

ed

The window is broken go

I don’t think they’re very bad they

laahn - jó

hot

kéuih (hóu) fèih he

sôsô-fá

MW(the) sofa worn out “laahn” must refer to physical damage

I don’t think he is very fat ngóh

3)

jêung

I don’t feel (very) hot ngóh

The sofa is worn out

MW glass/cup

very bad

Page 31

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 32

4)

The book is broken

49. lost

bún syû _______________________________________ MW

5)

1)

book

ngóh ¬h¬h-gingin-jó go

bûi _______________________________________

MW glass/cup “dî” is the MW used for all uncountable or countable but plural objects (when the number of the quantity is not specified, otherwise the corresponding MW has to be used eg four cups “sei jek bûi”)

6)

The books are broken dî

2)

wuhwuh-jiu______________________________________

MW(the) passports

dihn - nóuh

MW(the)

They lost their passports dî

4)

electrical brain

I lost the money dî

Something is wrong with the computer bouh

I lost my ID card go sânsân-fánfán-jing____________________________________

book

48. Something is wrong with 1)

2)

3)

syû _______________________________________ _______________________________________

MW

ngàhnngàhn-bâau

I lost MW(the) wallet/purse -when people refer some personal belongings, they say “the …” instead of “my …” as it is understood it means “my”.

The glasses/cups are broken dî

I lost my wallet

chín_______________________________________

MW(the) money

yáuh dî mahnmahn-tàih have some

problem

5)

She lost her hand bag go sáusáu-dói______________________________________

Something is wrong with the photocopier

MW(the) handbag

bouh yíngyíng-yanyan-gêi__________________________________ gêi__________________________________ MW(the)

3)

photocopy machine

6)

You lost the pens dî bât

Something is wrong with the TV set

________________________________________

MW pen

bouh dihndihn-sihsih-gêi__________________________________ MW(the) electric vision machine

4)

50. Please help me …

Something is wrong with your friend

1)

néih pàhngpàhng-yáuh ___________________________________ ___________________________________ your

Please call a taxi for me? ¬h¬h-gôi bông ngóh

friend

giu ga dîkdîk-sí â ?

please help me call MW taxi PRT? -particle “â” is used in requests. It gives request intonation and it is more polite.

2)

Please help me to check the air conditioner ¬h¬h-gôi bông ngóh táitái-tái go láahngáahng-heihei-gêi please

http://www.clc.com.hk

Page 33

Daily Sentence Patterns

help

me

look look

the

air conditioner

â PRT.

Page 34

3)

Please help to post the letters for me

4)

geigei-seun____________________________________________

My friend is called Kitty ___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

post letters

53. My surname is …

* * * * *

1)

My surname is Wong. ngóh I

51. What is your name? 1)

What is your name? néih you

2)

giu giu

2)

mâtmât-yéh méng a?

called

what

name

3)

What is your son’s name?

1)

I

52. I am called …

yiu

3)

Mary

OuOu-Jâu

back

Australia

I have to buy things buy

Mary

fâan

have to

máaih yéh

I am called Mary. called

I have to go back to Australia ngóh

2)

giu giu

My friend’s surname is Lee/Léih/

54. have to

néih pàhngpàhng-yáuh __________________________________

I

Peter’s surname is Chan/Chàhn/

___________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________

What is your friend’s name?

ngóh

Wong

___________________________________________________

your MW son “your son” could be said as “néih ge jái” or “néih go jái” where “ge” is a LP and “go” is a MW. Both have the functions to show possession.

1)

surnamed

PRT?

néih go jái_______________________________________

3)

sing Wòhng

_________________________________________

things

She has to go to Central heui JûngJûng-Wàahn__________________________________ Wàahn__________________________________

2)

go

He is called Peter.

Central

___________________________________________________

3)

My daughter is called Mary

55. take (transportation)

ngóh ge néui

1)

ngóh daap

my LP daughter -be careful: daughter is pronounced as “néui”, but female is pronounced as “néuih”

dîkdîk-sí

I take taxi -if talk about “on foot”, people do not say “daap …”, they just say “hàahng louh”, literally means “walk road” -“daap” is only used for “take a transport”. If “take a pen”, people say or “ló” for the “take”

___________________________________________________

http://www.clc.com.hk

I take taxi

Page 35

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 36

2)

I take bus

5)

bâbâ-sí ____________________________________________

3)

______________________________________________

He takes the MTR

6)

deihdeih-tit__________________________________________

4)

* * * * *

_________________________________________ _________________________________________

57. Verbs - positive

electrical car

1)

I go -Suppose here we talk about the situation is about “going to an exhibition” and “watching a movie”.

I tell her ngóh tùhng I

with

I go (present) or I went (past) ngóh heui

56. … tell … 1)

They tell my friends ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

We take tram dihn - chê

You tell her

kéuih

góng

her

tell

2)

I watch (present) or I watched (past) ngóh tái

ngóh

gong

béi

kéuih

I

tell

to

her

I

têng to listen

3) ngóh

wah

béi

kéuih

I

say

to

her

watch

I will go (future) ngóh (wúih) (wúih) heui

têng

I will go -doesn’t like English, “wúih” which means “will” could be omitted in future tense sentences.

to listen

-Here, people can’t directly translate to “ngóh góng kéuih” or “ngóh wah kéuih”. Because both means “ I talk about her” instead of “I tell her”

4)

I will watch (future) ngóh _____________

2)

He tells me ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________

5)

I have gone (present perfect) or I had gone (past perfect) ngóh

3)

My mother tells me

I

heui - jó go

ed

ngóh mâ mìh ___________________________________________ my

6)

mummy

I have watched (present perfect) or I had watched (past perfect) ngóh

4)

______________

I tell you ______________________________________________

7)

I will have gone (future perfect) ngóh I

http://www.clc.com.hk

Page 37

wúih heui - jó will

Daily Sentence Patterns

go

ed

Page 38

8)

I will have watched (future perfect) ngóh

5)

_________________

I will not go (simple future) ngóh ¬h wúih heui I

9)

I am going (present continuous) or I was going (past continuous) ngóh

6)

go

I am watching (present continuous) or I was watching (past continuous) ngóh

11)

12)

will

be

I haven’t gone yet(present perfect) or I hadn’t gone yet (past perfect) I

8)

wúih (haih) heui - gán

I

I will not watch (simple future)

ngóh

___________ ___________

I will be going (future continuous) ngóh

go

I will be watching (future continuous)

9)

I

10)

ngóh ¬h heui (means I don’t want to go) I

2)

don’t

11)

go

I

ngóh _____________________

3)

12)

I didn’t go (simple past) ngóh móuh heui

13) 4)

I

ngóh _____________________

http://www.clc.com.hk

Page 39

not

will

heui - jó

be

go

ed

__________________________

¬h haih heui - gán not be

go

ing

_______________________

I will not be going (future continuous) ngóh

I didn’t watch (simple past)

¬h wúih (haih)

I am not watching (present continuous) or I was not watching (past continuous) ngóh

I haven’t went -here just means “I haven’t gone”, doesn’t means “I don’t want to go”

_______________________

I am not going (present continuous) or I was not going (past continuous) ngóh

I don’t watch (simple present)

go

I will not have watched (future perfect) ngóh

I don’t go (simple present)

not yet

I will not have gone (future perfect) ngóh

58. Verbs - negative

meih heui

I haven’t watched yet(present perfect) or I hadn’t watched yet (past perfect) ngóh

ing

ngóh ________________________

1)

go

ing

7) 10)

will

ngóh _______________________

heui - gán

I

not

¬h wúih haih heui - gán not will

Daily Sentence Patterns

be

go

ing

Page 40

14)

I will not be watching (future continuous)

3)

ngóh ____________________________

I did go ngóh I

4)

59. Do you …? (present) 1)

néih

heui ¬h heui

you

2)

go

a?

5)

PRT?

I

6)

móuh heui not have

___________________________

go

61. Have you gone …? (perfect)

I watch

1) ____________________ ____________________

Have you gone? néih

heui - jó meih

you

5)

I

¬h don’t

2)

heui

3)

not yet

a? PRT?

___________________________

ngóh

4)

60. Did you …? (past) néih

yáuh móuh heui

you

have not have

go

a?

5)

PRT

néih

I

___________________________ ___________________________ a?

6)

Page 41

ed

___________________________ ___________________________

meih heui not yet

go

I haven’t watched yet ngóh

http://www.clc.com.hk

go

I haven’t gone yet ngóh

Did you watch?

heui - jó

I have watched ngóh

Did you go?

___________________________ a?

I have gone I

2)

ed

Have you watched? néih

go

I don’t watch ngóh

1)

go

I don’t go ngóh

6)

go

heui

I

ngóh

__________________________

I didn’t watch ngóh

I go

go

I didn’t go ngóh

____________________________ a?

ngóh

4)

not

Do you watch? néih

3)

go

have

I did watch ngóh

Do you go?

yáuh heui

___________________________

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 42

63. Revision Exercises

62. Will / Would you…? (future or willingness) 1)

néih

wúih ¬h wúi heui

you

2)

The sequence of the exercises match the sequence of the content

Will you go? will

not

will

go

a?

1. 1)

PRT

Will you watch? néih

Have I have one daughter, two sons _____________________________________________________________

___________________________ a?

2)

They have lots of money lots of

3)

I will go ngóh

_____________________________________________________________

wúih heui

I

4)

will

go

2. 1)

I will watch ngóh

hóuhóu-dô

___________________________

not have I don’t have time _____________________________________________________________

5)

I won’t go ngóh I

6)

2)

¬h wúih heui not

will

_____________________________________________________________

go

I won’t watch ngóh

I don’t have any children

3. 1)

___________________________

* * * * *

Do you have …? Do you have any problems? _____________________________________________________________

2)

Do you have Dim Sum (in a restaurant) Dim Sum

dímdím-sâm

_____________________________________________________________

4. 1)

Do you have …? (in a shop) Do you have a larger one? _____________________________________________________________

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Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 44

2)

Do you have a white one? white

2)

Is there an information desk here?

baahk-sîk

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

5. 1)

9. 1)

Do you sell … ? Do you sell souvenirs?

2)

Do you sell books which teach Cantonese? books those teach Cantonese

Is there an automatic teller machine near here? _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2)

Is there a … near here?

Is there an MTR station near here? MTR station

gaau GwóngGwóng-DûngDûng-Wá ge syû

deih-tit-jaahm

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

6. 1)

10. 1)

Where can I buy …? Where can I buy this medicine? this medicine

Where is the wash room? _____________________________________________________________

nî jek(MW) yeuhk

_____________________________________________________________

2)

Where is the …?

2)

Where is your home? your home

Where can I buy this book?

néih ûk-kéi

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

7. 1)

11. 1)

Where may I get …? Where may I get a Chinese restaurant? _____________________________________________________________

2)

we are on the ground floor _____________________________________________________________

Where can I got a restaurant (western one)? western restaurant

It’s on the 12th floor

_____________________________________________________________

Chinese restaurant jáujáu-làuh

2)

It’s on the … floor

châanchâan-têng

_____________________________________________________________

12. 1) 8. 1)

Is there a …here?

How to get to …? How to get to the HK convention and exhibition centre? _____________________________________________________________

Is there a telephone here? _____________________________________________________________

http://www.clc.com.hk

Page 45

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 46

2)

How to get to the peak? peak

15. 1)

sâan-déng

_____________________________________________________________

I am an American Méih-Gwok-yàhn

_____________________________________________________________

She is my wife

16. 1)

Today is Thursday 2)

tîng yaht

chât dím bun

How about next month? next month

Now it’s 12:30 now 12:30

How about tomorrow 7:30?

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

4)

How about …? tomorrow 7:30

_____________________________________________________________

3)

Is this one better _____________________________________________________________

Be American

2)

Are you Chinese? _____________________________________________________________

2) 13. 1)

Are you …?

hah go yuht

_____________________________________________________________

yìh-gâ sahp yih dím bun

_____________________________________________________________

17. 1) 14. 1)

not be

How about coffee? _____________________________________________________________

I am not a Hong Kong person

2)

How about this suit? MW for suit suit for man

_____________________________________________________________

2)

How about …? (something)

He is not my colleague

tou sâi--jông sâi

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

3)

Today is not Friday _____________________________________________________________

4)

I am not a tourist tourist

18. 1)

yàuh haak

How about going out to …? How about going out to a movie? _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2)

How about going out to have a meal? have a meal

sihk faahn

_____________________________________________________________

http://www.clc.com.hk

Page 47

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 48

19. 1) 2)

23. 1)

How about taking …?

How many/much …? (quantity)

How about taking taxi?

How many people?(suppose the questioners expect the answer is large)

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

How about taking the MTR?

2)

_____________________________________________________________

How many pens? (suppose the questioners expect the answer is small) MW for pen

jî

_____________________________________________________________

20. 1)

How about at? How about at Tsim Sha Tsui? Tsim Sha Tusi

Jîm Sâ Jéui

_____________________________________________________________

2)

24. 1)

deih tit jaahm

2)

_____________________________________________________________

21. 1)

How about …? (someone or the situation)

25. 1)

How about you?

How much for this dress? _____________________________________________________________

will I will go to the USA the USA

_____________________________________________________________

2)

How much …? _____________________________________________________________

How about waiting at the MTR station MTR station

How much …? (price)

Méih-Gwok

_____________________________________________________________

How about him? _____________________________________________________________

2)

I will learn Cantonese _____________________________________________________________

22. 1)

How …? How fat is he? _____________________________________________________________

2)

26. 1)

I won’t go back home go back home

how difficult? difficult

won’t fâan ûkûk-kéi

_____________________________________________________________

nàahn

_____________________________________________________________

2)

I won’t believe you _____________________________________________________________

http://www.clc.com.hk

Page 49

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 50

27. 1)

Will you…?

31. 1)

Will you come?

cannot You cannot watch TV watch TV

tái dihn-sih

_____________________________________________________________

2)

_____________________________________________________________

Will you give up? give up

2)

fongfong-hei

He cannot leave HK leave, to part

_____________________________________________________________

lèihlèih-hôi

_____________________________________________________________

28. 1)

Do you? Do you come? _____________________________________________________________

2)

32. 1)

May I …? / Can you …? May I come in? come in

Do you buy?

yahp làih/lèih

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2)

Can you repeat it? repeat it

góng dô yât chi (literally: speak more one time)

_____________________________________________________________

29. 1)

don’t You don’t go _____________________________________________________________

2)

I don’t like

33. 1)

bîn-go chìh-dou

_____________________________________________________________

2)

can

She knows Mary is my girl friend _____________________________________________________________

You can take photos _____________________________________________________________

2)

I know who is late. who is late

_____________________________________________________________

30. 1)

know ( a fact)

34. 1)

you can try _____________________________________________________________

know where is … I know where the wash room is _____________________________________________________________

2)

They know where the market is market

gâaigâai-síh

_____________________________________________________________

http://www.clc.com.hk

Page 51

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 52

3)

I don’t know where Tai Po is don’t know Tai Po

38. 1)

¬h jî

Daaih Bou

be not / be not very (negative) You are not fat _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2)

You are not very fat _____________________________________________________________

35. 1)

know (a person) He knows you _____________________________________________________________

2)

I don’t know Peter don’t know

39. 1)

¬h sîk

too This clothes is too expensive _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2)

This handbag is too ugly _____________________________________________________________

36. 1)

can (capability of doing something) I can dance _____________________________________________________________

2)

40. 1)

You can cook

gáu

_____________________________________________________________

2)

They can’t speak Cantonese can’t

I like dog dog

_____________________________________________________________

3)

like

¬h sîk

My friend likes brown _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

37. 1)

41. 1)

be very I am very cold cold

I like drinking wine _____________________________________________________________

dung

2)

_____________________________________________________________

2)

like to eat or drink …

You are very thin

They like eating chocolate _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

http://www.clc.com.hk

Page 53

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 54

42. 1)

like to do …

46. 1)

I like playing mah-jong playing mah-jong

She likes playing tennis

2)

Don’t like

The car is out of order _____________________________________________________________

47. 1)

I don’t like eating meat

go/ bouh/ ga dihn sih (all go, bouh, and ga are MWs)

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

43. 1)

The TV is out of order the TV

dá màhmàh-jéuk/jeuk

_____________________________________________________________

2)

out of order

broken/ worn out The T-shirt is worn out T-shirt

tî-sêut (MW: gihn)

_____________________________________________________________

2)

_____________________________________________________________

They don’t like yellow yellow

2)

wòhng sîk

The glass is broken glass

bûi (MW: jek)

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________

44. 1)

feel / think I feel sick _____________________________________________________________

2)

48. 1)

Something is wrong with Something is wrong with the photocopier _____________________________________________________________

They think I am lazy _____________________________________________________________

2)

Something is wrong with the computer _____________________________________________________________

45. 1)

don’t feel / don’t think I don’t think you are stupid _____________________________________________________________

2)

49. 1)

I lost the money the money

He doesn’t think I am right right

lost dî chín

_____________________________________________________________

âam

_____________________________________________________________

2)

I lost the bag the bag

go dói

_____________________________________________________________

http://www.clc.com.hk

Page 55

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 56

50. 1)

2)

Please help me … Please call a taxi for me.

I have to go to TST _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2)

Please post the letters for me _____________________________________________________________

55. 1)

take (transportation) They take the minibus _____________________________________________________________

51. 1)

2)

What is your name? What is your name

I take KCR _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2)

What is your daughter’s name? _____________________________________________________________

56. 1)

… tell … I tell you. _____________________________________________________________

52. 1)

2)

I am called … I am called Peter

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2)

He told me (tells and told is exactly the same in Cantonese)

3)

My son is called David

My mother told them _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

53. 1) 2)

57. 1)

My surnamed is …

verbs (positive) I go/went to Canada (simple present or past) Canada

My surname is Chan

Gâ-Nàh-Daaih

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

His surname is Wong

ngóh heui Gâ Nàh Daaih

_____________________________________________________________

2)

I will go to Canada tomorrow(simple future) _____________________________________________________________

54. 1)

have to

tîngtîng-yaht ngóh wúih heui Gâ Nàh Daaih

I have to buy a table a table

(yât) jêung tói

3)

_____________________________________________________________ http://www.clc.com.hk

Page 57

I have gone to Canada (present perfect) _____________________________________________________________

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 58

ngóh heuiheui-jó Gâ Nàh Daaih 4)

ngóh ¬h heui Gâ Nàh Daaih

Last year, I had gone to Canada (past perfect) last year

2)

gauhgauh-nín

Next month, I will not go to Canada (simple future, or refer willingness) next month

_____________________________________________________________

hah go yuht

_____________________________________________________________

gauhgauh-nín, ngóh heuiheui-jó Gâ Nàh Daaih

hah go yuht, ngóh ¬h wúih heui Gâ Nàh Daaih 5)

Next year, I will have gone to Canada (future perfect) next year

6)

chêutchêut-nín

3)

_____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

chêutchêut-nín, ngóh wúih heuiheui-jó Gâ Gâ Nàh Daaih

ngóh meih heui Gâ Nàh Daaih

Now, I am going to TST (present continuous) now TST

4)

yìh gâ

yìhyìh-gâ, ngóh heuiheui-gán JîmJîm-SâSâ-Jéui

gauhuh-nín, ngóh meih heui Gâ Nàh Daaih 5)

This morning 9:00 am, I was going to TST (past continuous) this morning

Last year, I hadn’t gone to Canada yet (past perfect) _____________________________________________________________

Jîm-Sâ-Jéui

_____________________________________________________________

7)

I haven’t gone to Canada yet (present perfect)

Next year, I will not have gone to Canada (future perfect) _____________________________________________________________

gâmgâm-jîu

chêutchêut-nín, ngóh ¬h wúih heuiheui-jó Gâ Nàh Daaih

_____________________________________________________________

6)

gâmgâm-jîu gáugáu-dím, ngóh heuiheui-gán JîmJîm-SâSâ-Jéui

Now, I am not going to TST (present continuous) _____________________________________________________________

8)

This evening 8:00 pm, I will be going to TST (future continuous) this evening

yìhyìh-gâ, ngóh ¬h¬h-haih heui heuieui-gán JîmJîm-SâSâ-Jéui

gâmgâm-máahn

_____________________________________________________________

7)

gâmgâm-máahn baatbaat-dím, ngóh wúih (haih) heuiheui-gán JîmJîm-SâSâ-Jéui

This morning 9:00 am, I was not going to TST (past continuous) _____________________________________________________________

gâmgâm-jîu gáugáu-dím, ngóh ¬h¬h-haih heuiheui-gán JîmJîm-SâSâ-Jéui 58. 1)

verbs (negative)

8)

I didn’t go to Canada (simple present or past)

This evening 8:00 pm, I will not be going to TST (future continuous)

_____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ http://www.clc.com.hk

Page 59

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 60

gâmgâm-máahn baatbaat-dím, ngóh ¬h wúih haih heuiheui-gán JîmJîm-SâSâ-Jéui

61. 1)

Have you …? (perfect) Have they left ? left

jáu

_____________________________________________________________

59. 1)

Do you …? (present)

kéuihkéuih-deih jáujáu-jó meih a?

Will you buy? (Are you going to buy it?) _____________________________________________________________

2)

néih máaih ¬h máaih a? 2)

_____________________________________________________________

kéuihkéuih-deih jáujáu-jó

I will buy _____________________________________________________________

3)

ngóh máaih 3)

They has left

They haven’t left _____________________________________________________________

kéuihkéuih-deih meih jáu

I won’t buy _____________________________________________________________

62. 1)

ngóh ¬h máaih

Will / Would you… (future or willingness) Will you believe? believe

60. 1)

seun

Did you …? (past)

_____________________________________________________________

Did you buy?

néih wúih ¬h wúih seun a?

_____________________________________________________________

2)

néih yáuh móuh máaih a?

I will believe _____________________________________________________________

2)

I did buy

ngóh wúih seun

_____________________________________________________________

3)

ngóh yáuh máaih

I won’t believe _____________________________________________________________

3)

I didn’t buy

ngóh ¬h wúi wúih seun

_____________________________________________________________

ngóh móuh máaih

http://www.clc.com.hk

Page 61

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 62

break

Glossaries: English to Cantonese

to break: jíng

child

sai mân jái

waaih, jíng laahn,

China

Jûng Gwok

Chinese

style: jûng sîk,

about

daaih koi

hairdresser: faat

functional: waaih,

air

hûng hei

yìhng sî

physical damage:

language: jûng

alcohol

jáu

dihn sâm, dihn

laahn; break up -

mán, people: jûng

all

só yáuh, chyùhn

chìh

disassemble: chaak

gwok yàhn

battery

bouh

be

haih

British

Yîng Gwok yàhn

cigarette

yîn

also

dôu

beat

dá

brown

fê sîk

clear

chîng chó

always

sìhng yaht

because

yân waih

bun

bâau

clothes

sâam

am

haih

become

bin sìhng

bus

bâ sí

coffee

ga fê

and

tùhng, tùhng màaih

beef

ngàuh yuhk

but

daahn haih

coke

hó lohk

verb: daap, noun:

beer

bê jáu

buy

máaih

cold

dung

daap on

before

jî chìhn

cake

daahn gôu

antique

gú dúng

believe

seun

art

ngaih seuht

black

hâak sîk

calculation gai sou call giu

colleague tùhng sih color sîk

as

similar: hóu chíh

blue

làahm, làahm sîk

can

ask

mahn

book

text books/books

sth: sîk, permitted

at

hái

with content

to: hó yíh

Australia

Ou Jâu

printed: syû, blank

Canada

away

to leave: lèih hôi

books for writing:

back

verb: fâan, noun: bui, behind: hauh

bóu, verb: dehng,

Cantonese Gwóng Dûng Wá car chê

book keeping:

careful

síu sâm

bihn

bouh gei

casual

chèuih bín

answer

bad

capable capable of doing

Gâ Nàh Daaih

waaih, inferior:

boss

bô sí

Central

Jûng Wàahn

châ

boy

nàahm jái, boy

centre

jûng sâm

bag

dói

friend: nàahm

bank

ngàhn hòhng

pàhng yáuh

certificate jing syû change gói

barber

master: sî fú,

brain

náuh

cheap

brand

pàaih jí

http://www.clc.com.hk

Page 63

pèhng

Daily Sentence Patterns

come

làih

comfortabl syû fuhk e common póu tûng company gûng sî computer

dihn nóuh

cook

jyú, jyún faahn, a cook: chyùh sî

correct

correct: âam, to correct: gói (jing)

cow

ngàuh

cup

bûi

dance

tiu móuh

daughter

néui

diagram

tòuh Page 64

dinner

máahn faahn

far

yúhn

general

yât bûn

help

bông

do

jouh

fast

faai

get

ló, nîng

her

kéuih

dog

gáu

fat

fèih

girl

néuih jái, girl

here

nî douh

doll

gûng jái

father

bàh bâ / dê dìh

friend: néuih

him

kéuih

don’t

¬h

feel

gok dâk

pàhng yáuh

his

kéuih ge

door

mùhn

fine

hóu

béi, give back the

home

ûk kéi

st

change: jáau

homework gûng fo Hong Hêung Góng Kong hot yiht hotel jáu dim

give

down

dâi

first

1 : daih yât, sîn

draw

waahk, draw

fish

yú, fish ball: yùh

money: tàih chín dress

noun: kwàhn, verb:

glass

material: bô lêi

dáan floor

jeuk

cup: bûi, glass

ground: deih há,

go

heui, go out: chêut heui

level: láu

drink

yám

flower

fâ

good

eat

sihk

fly

verb: fêi, insect:

English

people: Yîng

hóu.

house

ûk

how?

qty: géi, the way:

Gwok yàhn,

food

yéh sihk

language: Yîng Mán

foot

geuk

formal

jing sîk

good value dái Grand Gwân Yuht Jáu Hyatt Dim Hotel ground deih, deih há half bun

enquiry

sêun mahn

former

chìhn, former

hand

sáu

enter

yahp

husband: chìhn fû,

hungry

tóuh ngoh

handbag

sáu dói

equal

dáng yû, yât

former wife: chìhn

husband

happy

hôi sâm

yeuhng

châi

sîn sâang(polite), lóuh gûng(casual)

I

ngóh

ice

bîng

Europe

wû yîng

Friday

láih baai ±h

friend

pàhng yáuh

from

hardworki kàhn lihk ng have yáuh have a sihk faahn meal have to yiu he kéuih

yàuh

head

future

jêung lòih

heavy

Âu Jâu

four

sei

evening

10

free

time: dâk hàahn,

exactly

yât yeuhng

exchange

gâau wuhn

expensive gwai fact sih saht, in fact: kèih saht http://www.clc.com.hk

money: míhn fai

Page 65

dím (yéung), how about …?… hóu ¬h hóu, how long?: géi noih, how many?:géi dô

ice-cream syut gôu if yùh yùh gwó image

yìhng jeuhng

in

at: hái, enter: yahp

tàuh

indoor

sât noih

chúhng

informatio sêun mahn chyu

Daily Sentence Patterns

Page 66

n desk instant

jîk hâak

medicine

yeuhk

next nice

gaak lèih

letter

seun (M: fûng)

memory

gei yîk, gei nihm

instrument yìh hei, hei geuih iron tong dáu

like

jûng yi

mind

yìhm, gaai yi

hóu yàhn, look

listen

têng

Monday

láih baai yât, sîng

nice: leng

it

kéuih

little

its

kéuih ge

hóu síu, a little bit: síu síu

money

chín

don’t: ¬h, isn’t ¬h

itself

kéuih deih jih géi

live

jyuh

month

yuht, this month:

/ ¬h haih

Japan

Yaht Bún

long

chèuhng

nî go yuht, last

noodle

mihn

Japanese

people: yaht bún bún

look

mohng

month: seuhng go

not

don’t: ¬h, be not:

yàhn, language:

lost

¬h gin jó

yuht, next month:

¬h, not yet: meih,

yaht mán

lots

dô

hah go yuht

don’t have: móuh

gûng (M: fahn),

machine

gêi hei

more

dô dî

now

yìh gâ

gûng jok

make

jíng, jíng, jouh

morning

jîu jóu

number

houh máh,

job

kèih yât

no

personality: hóu,

not have: móuh,

jump

tiu

(different usage),

most

jeui

transliteration:

just

just before: âam

in a slang way:

mother

mâ mìh

nâm bá

âmm / jing wah, just only: jihng

gáau

mountain

sâan

o’clock

dím

male

nàahm

movie

hei, movie star:

October

sahp yuht

haih

man

mìhng sîng

office

baahn gûng sât, sé

kid

nàahm yán

sai mân jái

MTR

deih tit

jih làuh, company:

know

jî dou

much

hóu dô

gûng sî

language

Mandarin Gwok Yúh many dô

yú yìhn

market

mum

mâ mìh

often

sìhng yaht

large

gâai síh

daaih

matter

must

yâtyât-dihng

one

yât

last

sih (M: gihn)

previous: seuhng,

May

my

ngóh ge

only

jihngjihng-haih

the end: jeui méih

±h yuht

may(permi hó yíh tted to do sth) me ngóh mean equal to: jîk haih,

name

méng

open

hôi, opening hours:

nearby

fuh gahn

need

yiu, no need: ¬h

or

dihng, waahk jé

sái

order

command: mihng

late

chìh

lazy

láahn

learn

hohk

leave

jáu, lèih hôi

left

left side: jó bihn,

http://www.clc.com.hk

meaning: yi sî Page 67

New Zealand

Náu Sâi Làahn

Daily Sentence Patterns

hôi fong sìh gaan

lihng, order food in a restaurant: giu Page 68

otherwise if not: yùh gwó ¬h

press

to press: gam

Saturday

láih baai luhk

sound

sêng

haih, fáu jâk

pretty

leng

say

wah, góng

souvenir

gei nihm bán

out

chêut

problem

mahn tàih

scatter

sáan

speak

góng

out of order outdoor

waaih

problems

mahn tàih

see

gin

start

hôi chí

sât ngoih

sell

maaih

station

jaahm

painful

tung

pronounce how to pronounce: dím duhk,

paper

jí

passport

wuh jiu

pen

bât, pencil case: bât háp

person

yàhn, yán.

personal

question

sî yàhn

mahn tàih

quite

géi

red

hùhng sîk

photocopy yíng yan piano gong kàhm

pronunciation:

September gáu yuht she kéuih

stationery màhn geuih stay lauh

duhk duhk yâm

shop

pou táu

stir-fry

cháau

purse

ngàhn bâau

shops

pou táu

stop

tìhng

put

take: nîng, ló,

short

in height: aí, in in

stringed

yìhn

length: dyún

stuff

yéh

should

yîng gôi

stupid

chéun

sick

behng, ¬h syû

suggest

gin yi

fuhk

suit

suit me: âam,

place: fong

remember gei, gei dâk restaurant Chinese style

situation

chìhng fong

skip

tiu

Sunday

láih baai yaht

restaurant: jáu

small

sai

surname

sing

tricks: jíng gú

làuh, western style

sáan jí

table

tói

please

¬h gôi

restaruant: châan

Tai Po

Daaih Bou

police

gíng chaat, police

têng

small change smart snow

noun: syut, verb:

take

carry: ló, transport:

place(verb jâi ) play wáan, playing

station: châai gún

rice

cooked rice: faahn,

pork

jyû yuhk

uncooked rice:

post

gei

máih

practice present

lihn jaahp

rich

gift: láih maht,

right

yáuh chín opposite to left: yauh, correct: âam

now: yìh gâ, attend a function: chêut

road

louh

jihk

room

fóng

salad http://www.clc.com.hk

sâ léut Page 69

lêk lohk syut

so

gam

sofa

sô fá

some

yât dî

somebody person: yàhn someone yáuh yàhn son

jái

sorry

¬h¬h-hóu yiyi-si

Daily Sentence Patterns

clothing: sâi jông

daap tall

gôu

taxi

dîk sí

tea

chàh

teach

gaau

telephone dihn wá tell góng ten

sahp, ten thousand: Page 70

maahn

Tuesday

láih baai yih

tennis

móhng kàuh

TV

dihn sih

thank

dô jeh

two

yih

that

gó + MW

typical

dín yìhng

dông, in a

gâm nín, last year:

the

MW

ugly

cháu yéung

question: géi sìh

gauh nín, seuhng

where

bîn douh

nín, next year:

which

bîn MW

chêut nín, years

while

when: dông, but:

old: seui

them

kéuih deih

then

gân jyuh

understand mìhng unless chèuih fêi

there

gó douh

up

héi

they

kéuih deih

USA

Méih Gwok

thin

sau

use

yuhng

thing

yéh

usually

think

nám

this

what when

mât yéh, what

worn out

laahn

time: géi dím

wrong

cho

in a statement:

year

nìhn, this year,

daahn haih

yellow

wòhng sîk

white

baahk sîk

yet

(juhng) meih

tûng sèuhng

who

bîn go?

you

singular: néih,

very

hóu

wife

taai táai

nî + MW

vision

sih gok

will

wúih

those

gó dî

wait

dáng

win

Thursday

láih baai sei

walk

hàahng

window

chêung

time

sìh gaan, freq.: chi

wallet

ngàhn bâau

wine

jáu

to

heui

want

séung

with

tùhng

today

gâm yaht

wash

sái

tomorrow tîng yaht too taai tourist

washroom sái sáu gâan watch verb: tái, noun: sáu bîu (M: jek)

yàuh haak, tourist guide: douh yàuh

water

séui

translate

yihk / fâan yihk

way

treat

pay for sb: chéng,

road: louh, method: fông faat

we

ngóh ngóh deih

well

noun: jéng, adv.: hóu, …em…: gám

western

sâi

the way to treat sb: deui try

si

Tsim Sha Tsui

Jîm Sâ Jéui

http://www.clc.com.hk

plural: néih néih deih your

singular: néih ge, plural: néih deih ge

yèhng

Daily Sentence Patterns Edited by: Tel: e-mail: URL: Version: First printed in: Last revised in: Printed in:

Cantonese Learning Centre (852) 2881 0116 [email protected] http://www.clc.com.hk V2.4 2000 August 2000 January 2006

All rights reserved. Printed in Hong Kong. The end of the book

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Daily Sentence Patterns

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