英文
The English phrase English can be translated into Cantonese as 英文. Wiktionary also lists 英語 / 英语 (jing¹ jyu⁵).
Meaning: the English language (name)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 英文 | |
| 英語 / 英语 | jing¹ jyu⁵ |
Both 英文 and 英語 / 英语 are used to refer to the English language. These terms can also refer to one's ability to employ the English language. To refer to people from England, use 英國人 / 英国人.
What does it mean word for word?
The term 英文 is composed of 英 (English) and 文 (language/script/writing).
Which one should you use?
英文 is the most common way to refer to the English language in daily spoken Cantonese, while 英語 is a more formal, academic term often used in written contexts or official titles.
Related words
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using 英文人 to mean 'an English person'. Instead, use 英國人.
Did you know?
- The character 英 used in 英文 originally meant 'flower' or 'petal' before it became the standard shorthand for 'England'.
- In Hong Kong, speakers often use the English word 'English' directly within a Cantonese sentence rather than saying 英文.
- The character 英 in 英文 is the same character used to mean 'hero' or 'brave' in other contexts.
Examples in context
- 英文萬國通用。English is like an international language.This sentence is useful for illustrating that 英文 is an international language.Tatoeba #12061631 by thesilhouette, translation #10726056 by AlanF_US
- 我想學標準英文。I want to learn standard English.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to learn standard 英文.Tatoeba #4826775 by kaenif, translation #261448 by CK
- 英文好難講得好。To speak English well is difficult.This sentence is useful for noting the difficulty of speaking 英文 well.Tatoeba #5359791 by nickyeow, translation #26210 by AMIKEMA
- 可以，我可以講英文。(ho2 ji5, ngo5 ho2 ji5 gong2 jing1 man4.)Yes, I can speak English.
- 85 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a bookstore, discussing language learning books.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung呢本英文書好貴呀。ni1 bun2 jing1 man4 syu1 hou2 gwai3 aa3.This English book is very expensive.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit係呀，不過啲英文內容好豐富。hai6 aa3, bat6 gwo3 di1 jing1 man4 noi6 jung4 hou2 fung1 fu1.Yes, but the English content is very rich.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我想買本英文教材。ngo5 soeng2 maai5 bun2 jing1 man4 gaau3 zaai3.I want to buy an English teaching material.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我可以幫你搵下。ngo5 ho2 ji5 bong1 nei5 wan2 haa5.I can help you look for it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “english” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
