方言
fong¹ jin⁴
The English phrase "dialect" can be translated into Cantonese as 方言 (fong¹ jin⁴). If unsure, use 方言. Wiktionary also lists 地方話 / 地方话 and 土話 / 土话 (tou² waa⁶).
Meaning: particular variety of a language (noun)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 方言 | fong¹ jin⁴ | |
| 地方話 / 地方话 | ||
| 土話 / 土话 | tou² waa⁶ | |
| 話 / 话 | waa² | suffix |
The term refers to a particular variety of a language.
What does it mean word for word?
The word 方言 is composed of 方, meaning 'square' or 'direction/side' and 言, meaning 'speech' or 'words'.
Which one should you use?
While 方言 is the standard term, 地方話 refers specifically to local speech. The term 土話 also means dialect or local speech but carries different social connotations.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
方言 is a formal way to say "dialect". In contrast, 地方話 is a more colloquial way to refer to a local dialect. 土話 is an informal term that can carry a slightly derogatory or dismissive connotation, implying the speech is 'rustic' or 'unrefined'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Guangzhou, 方言 is the most common and widely understood term for "dialect".
How do you pronounce it?
The pronunciation is fong¹ jin⁴.
Did you know?
- In many Cantonese-speaking regions, what is technically a separate language is often referred to as a 方言 to emphasize cultural unity.
- The term 土話 contains the character 土, meaning 'earth' or 'soil', which is why it carries the connotation of being 'rustic' or 'country' speech.
- The term 地方話 is often used in a warm, nostalgic way to refer to the specific way one's home village speaks.
Examples in context
- 「語言」同「方言」只不過係標籤；改變咗個標籤，改變唔到個本質。"Language" and "dialect" are just labels, changing the label doesn't change the substance.This sentence illustrates the relationship between labels like "language" and "dialect" with the form 方言.Tatoeba #6106785 by nickyeow, translation #6104928 by mailohilohi
- 廣東話係香港嘅主要方言。Cantonese is the primary dialect of Hong Kong.
- 我啲朋友講嘅係廣東話但有啲口音。My friends speak Cantonese, but with a noticeable accent.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing linguistic differences in China.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting你覺得粵語係一種語言定係方言？nei5 gok3 dak1 jyut6 jyu5 hai6 jat1 zung1 jyu5 jan4 ding6 hai6 fong1 jin2?Do you think Cantonese is a language or a dialect?
- 家明 Ka Ming我覺得佢好似語言咁獨立。ngo5 gok3 dak1 keoi5 hou2 ci5 jyu5 jan4 gam3 dok6 lap6.I think it's as independent as a language.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting但好多人將佢視為一種方言。daan6 hou2 do1 jan4 zoeng1 keoi5 si6 wai4 jat1 zung1 fong1 jin2.But many people regard it as a dialect.
- 家明 Ka Ming呢個定義視乎你問邊個。ni1 go3 ding6 ji6 si6 jyu1 nei5 man6 bin1 go3.This definition depends on who you ask.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dialect” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
