我係
ngo5 hai6
The Cantonese phrase "I am" is translated as 我係 (ngo5 hai6).
我係 is used to state who someone is or to describe oneself, specifically for identity or classification. For example, you would use it to say "I am a teacher." It is not used to describe temporary states or feelings, such as being hungry or tired.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of 我 (I/me) and 係 (to be).
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the negative "I am not", use 我唔係.
How do you pronounce it?
ngo5 hai6
Did you know?
- While 係 means 'to be', in conversational Cantonese it is often used alone as a one-word reply meaning 'yes'.
- The character 係 originally referred to a 'system' or 'connection' before it became the standard way to say 'to be' in Cantonese.
- Unlike Mandarin, which uses 是 (shì) for 'to be', Cantonese uses 係 (hai6) in daily speech, creating a distinct auditory marker for the two languages.
Examples in context
- 我係食齋嘅。I am a vegetarian.This example shows how to use 我係 to describe a personal trait or identity.Tatoeba #459923 by nickyeow, translation #367935 by rike
- 我係網球俱樂部嘅會員。I am a member of the tennis club.This example shows how to use 我係 to state membership in a group.Tatoeba #3364415 by kaenif, translation #255101 by CK
- 我係一隻貓。我仲未有名。I am a cat. I don't have a name yet.This example shows how to use 我係 to identify oneself as a specific entity.Tatoeba #5761165 by nickyeow, translation #390043 by Scott
- 我係John。I am John.
- 我係嘅，你地呢？I am, what about you guys?
- 我係女人I am a woman.
- 我係學生I am a student.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A casual introduction at a social gathering.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan你好，我係嘉欣。nei5 hou2, ngo5 hai6 kaai1 hei1.Hello, I am Kaai Hei.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit你好，嘉欣。我係俊傑。nei5 hou2, kaai1 hei1. ngo5 hai6 zeon3 git6.Hello, Kaai Hei. I am Zeon Kit.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan好高興認識你，俊傑。hou2 gou1 hing3 jing6 sik1 nei5, zeon3 git6.Nice to meet you, Zeon Kit.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我亦都好高興認識你。ngo5 jik6 dou1 hou2 gou1 hing3 jing6 sik1 nei5.Nice to meet you too.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
