Are you interested in learning how to say “afternoon” in Cantonese? Whether you are planning a trip, expanding your language skills, or simply curious about this unique dialect, knowing how to express time correctly is essential. In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways of saying “afternoon” in Cantonese, and provide various tips and examples to help you grasp the nuances. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say Afternoon in Cantonese
Formal expressions are typically used in professional or formal settings. Here are some commonly used formal phrases to say “afternoon” in Cantonese:
- 下午 (ha6 wu6): This is the most standard and commonly used term for “afternoon” in Cantonese. The characters 下午 directly translate to “below” and “noon,” representing the time that falls after noon.
- 午後 (ng5 hau6): Similarly to 下午, this term is also frequently used in formal situations. The characters 午後 translate to “noon” and “afternoon” respectively.
- 日午 (jat6 ng5): This expression is a bit less commonly used but is still considered a formal way to convey “afternoon” in Cantonese. The characters 日午 translate to “day” and “noon” respectively.
Informal Ways to Say Afternoon in Cantonese
Informal expressions are commonly used in casual conversations or among friends and family. If you want to adopt a more relaxed tone, consider using these informal phrases:
- 下晝 (ha6 zyu6): This term is widely used in informal contexts to refer to the afternoon. The characters 下晝 translate to “below” and “daytime” respectively, indicating the time period after noon.
- 午時 (ng5 si4): While less prevalent than 下晝, this term is still used informally to mean “afternoon.” The characters 午時 translate to “noon” and “hour” respectively.
- 午牌 (ng5 paai4): Although not as common as the previous expressions, you might come across this term when interacting with Cantonese speakers. The characters 午牌 directly translate to “noon” and “card,” representing the idea of “afternoon.”
Regional Variations in Saying Afternoon in Cantonese
Cantonese dialects exhibit regional variations, resulting in differences in vocabulary and pronunciation. While the above phrases are generally understood throughout Cantonese-speaking areas, here are a few regional variations:
- 廣州話 (gwong2 zau1 waa2): In the Guangzhou dialect, it is common to use the term 午後 (ng5 hau6) for “afternoon.”
- 香港話 (hoeng1 gong2 waa2): In Hong Kong Cantonese, the preferred expressions for “afternoon” are 下晝 (ha6 zyu6) and 下午 (ha6 wu6).
- 雷州話 (hoi4 zau1 waa2): In the Leizhou dialect, some speakers might use the term 午牌 (ng5 paai4) to refer to “afternoon.”
Examples and Usage
Seeing examples of how “afternoon” is used in context can further help your understanding. Let’s take a look at some sample sentences:
1. 今日下午天氣很熱。(gam1 jat6 ha6 wu6 tin1 hei3 han2 jit6) – Today, the weather is very hot in the afternoon.
2. 午後三點開始有會議。(ng5 hau6 saam1 dim2 hoi1 ci2 jau5 wui6 ji5) – The meeting starts at 3 o’clock in the afternoon.
3. 下晝茶時間係四點。(ha6 zyu6 caa4 si4 gaan1 hai6 sei3 dim2) – Afternoon tea time is at 4 o’clock.
These examples demonstrate the usage of both formal and informal expressions we discussed earlier. Practice using them in everyday conversations to enhance your fluency.
Final Thoughts
Congratulations! You are now equipped with various ways to say “afternoon” in Cantonese. Remember to adapt your choice of expression based on the level of formality required in each situation. Keep practicing these phrases, and the more you immerse yourself in Cantonese-speaking environments, the better you will grasp the intricacies of the language.
Happy learning and enjoy your afternoon conversations in Cantonese!
