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73 Basic Cantonese Phrases for Your Next Trip to Macau 🎲🍲🏯

Learn essential Cantonese phrases for your Macau trip to enjoy casinos, street food, and local culture like a pro. Perfect for travelers eager to connect.

Tobi Miles

March 30, 2024

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73 Basic Cantonese Phrases for Your Next Trip to Macau 🎲🍲🏯

Néih hóu! 你好! That's "hello" in Cantonese, the spicy linguistic sauce that flavors the streets of Macau. While Mandarin may be the big boss in mainland China, Cantonese reigns supreme in this little Las Vegas of the East. So, if you want to navigate the neon-lit casinos, savor the mouthwatering street food, and chat up the locals like a pro, you better arm yourself with these 73 essential Cantonese phrases. Let's dive in and make your Macau adventure a linguistic jackpot! 🎉

Greetings and Basic Phrases 👋

Néih hóu (你好) - Hello
Jóu sàhn (早晨) - Good morning
Ng ón (晚安) - Good night
Néih hóu ma? (你好吗？) - How are you?
Ngóh hóu hói sàm (我很开心) - I'm happy
Ngóh giu méng... (我叫名...) - My name is...
Néih giù mātyéh méng a? (你叫什么名字啊？) - What's your name?
Néih hóu, jūng yìhn gihng (你好，很高兴见到你) - Nice to meet you
Dōjeh (多谢) - Thank you
M̀h gōi (唔该) - Please
Dōjeh néih (多谢你) - Thank you
M̀h sái hàahn hei (唔使客气) - You're welcome
Deui m̀h jyuh (对唔住) - Sorry
M̀h gán yiu (唔紧要) - No problem

Navigating the City 🗺️

Macau may be small, but it packs a punch with its vibrant neighborhoods and iconic landmarks. Here are some phrases to help you find your way:

Chìhng māahn... hái bīndouh a? (请问...在哪里啊？) - Where is...?
Ngóh séung heui... (我想去...) - I want to go to...
Jām lóu gūn (赌场) - Casino
Daaih Sāan Bā (大三巴) - Ruins of St. Paul's
Sām Māh Téng (新马路) - Senado Square
Gāu Lùhng Yàhn Fóng (高朗园坊) - Coloane Village
Bīndouh yáuh gāai che a? (哪里有的士啊？) - Where can I find a taxi?
Chìhng dái ngóh heui... (请带我去...) - Please take me to...
Gēi chīn a? (几钱啊？) - How much is it?

Dining and Food 🍜

Macanese cuisine is a delicious fusion of Portuguese and Chinese flavors. Don't miss out on these local specialties:

Ngóh séung āai… (我想要…) - I would like to order…
Tāi yāt gō (太乙菏) - Bacalhau (dried codfish)
Áh Màhn déi chāan (澳门猪扒包) - Macanese Pork Chop Bun
Bōlóu Yún Dáng Gōu (葡撈雲吞糕) - Serradura (Sawdust Pudding)
Póh Tāt (葡撻) - Portuguese Egg Tart
Zhá léung (炸两) - Shrimp Roe Noodles
Ngóh yáuh sīk m̀h sihk... (我有食唔食...) - I can't eat...
Ngóh yáuh gēui māt ālèhgei (我有鸡肉过敏) - I'm allergic to chicken
Choi m̀h gōi (菜唔该) - The bill, please
Ngóh bāau jó la (我饱了) - I'm full
Hóu hóu sihk (好好食) - Delicious

Shopping and Bargaining 🛍️

From luxury boutiques to bustling street markets, Macau is a shopper's paradise. Here's how to snag the best deals:

Géidō chín a? (几多钱啊？) - How much is this?
Tài gwai la! (太贵啦！) - That's too expensive!
Dī m̀h dī a? (低唔低啊？) - Can you lower the price?
Ngóh dǐng liàhng go (我钟意呢个) - I like this one
M̀h sái lā (唔使啦) - No thanks
Ngóh séung yiu... (我想要...) - I want...
Yáuh móuh gāai dī ge? (有没有便宜的？) - Do you have anything cheaper?
Ngóh hóyíh yuhng ... fù chín ma? (我可以用...付款吗？) - Can I pay with...?

Casino and Gambling 🎰

Macau isn't called the "Las Vegas of the East" for nothing! If you're feeling lucky, try your hand at these casino phrases:

Ngóh séung dú... (我想赌...) - I want to play...
Baak ga (百家乐) - Baccarat
Sāi Gā Póu (鰓骨牌) - Blackjack
Láu Màaih Sìuh (轮盘) - Roulette
Póu Kāk (扑克) - Poker
Dō m̀h dō chín a? (赌唔赌钱啊？) - What's the minimum bet?
Ngóh yíng/syū jó (我赢/输了) - I won/lost

Dealing with Emergencies 🚨

While we hope your trip goes smoothly, it's always good to be prepared for emergencies:

Gau mehng a! (救命啊！) - Help!
Yíh sēung (医生) - Doctor
Ngóh m̀h syū fuhk (我唔舒服) - I don't feel well
Ngóh ¬deu mehng (我偷嘢) - I've been robbed
Chìhng giu gíngchaat (请叫警察) - Please call the police
Ngóh yiu gin tòhng sihk yàhn (我要见译员) - I need an interpreter

Macanese Slang and Local Lingo 😎

Impress the locals with these cool Cantonese slang phrases:

Chán géng (扮靓) - Dress up nicely
Gáau chāt (搞七) - Messing around
Leng jái/leng néui (靓仔/靓女) - Handsome guy/pretty girl
M̀h chāk (唔泽) - Stingy or cheap
Séui mōu tàuh (随冇头) - Whatever, I don't care
Wáan dán (玩嘅) - Just kidding

Macanese Culture and Customs 🎎

Respect the local culture and traditions with these handy phrases:

Gwong Fuk Daaih Kāt (恭喜发财) - Happy Chinese New Year
Sāam Nìhn Jyuh Yih (新年如意) - Wishing you prosperity in the New Year
M̀hgōi m̀h hō yī sīk (唔该唔好意思) - Excuse me (to get past someone)
Chīn mahn, m̀h gōi... (请问，唔该...) - Excuse me, please... (to ask for something)
Faai dī lèih (快啲嚟) - Come quickly
Mahn mahn hàhng (慢慢行) - Take your time

Flirting and Making Friends 😘

Who knows, you might just meet your soulmate in Macau! Try these flirty phrases:

Néih hóu leng (你好靓) - You're so pretty/handsome
Ngóh jūngyi néih (我钟意你) - I like you
Néih yáuh móuh lìhngyàhn a? (你有冇男朋友/女朋友啊？) - Do you have a boyfriend/girlfriend?
Ngóh hóyíh péi néih yám dī yéh ma? (我可以陪你饮啤酒吗？) - Can I buy you a drink?
Ngóh hóyíh tàuh néih ge dihnwá hōu ma? (我可以要你的电话号码吗？) - Can I have your phone number?
Ngóh jī gāau a! (我知道啦！) - I know, I know! (use this when your pickup lines fail spectacularly)

FAQ ❓

Q: Do I really need to learn Cantonese to visit Macau?A: While many Macanese speak English, learning a few basic Cantonese phrases will help you connect with the locals and show your respect for their culture.

Q: Is it okay to haggle at the markets in Macau?A: Yes, haggling is a common practice at street markets and small shops. Just remember to be respectful and don't push too hard for a lower price.

Q: What should I avoid saying or doing in Macau?A: Avoid discussing sensitive political topics, such as the relationship between Macau and mainland China. Also, don't stick your chopsticks upright in your rice bowl, as this is considered bad luck.

Q: How do I use these Cantonese phrases without offending anyone?A: Practice your pronunciation and use the phrases with a smile. Macanese people appreciate visitors who make an effort to learn their language and culture.

Now that you've got these 73 Cantonese phrases under your belt, you're ready to take on Macau like a true local! Remember to have fun, be respectful, and don't blow all your cash at the casinos (unless you're feeling really lucky). Jóu sàhn, yàuh dī sāam dī fūn! 😄✨

Tobi Miles

Article updated:

March 30, 2024

A nomadic wordsmith savoring the world's flavors and penning stories that turn every journey into an epic.

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