Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “last year” in Cantonese! Whether you want to learn the formal or informal ways, we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll provide you with tips, examples, and even touch upon regional variations when necessary. So without further ado, let’s dive into the intricate world of Cantonese expressions!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Last Year” in Cantonese
When it comes to formal conversations, it’s essential to use the appropriate terminology for “last year.” Here are a few phrases you can use:
- 是年 (si6 nin4) – This term is commonly used in formal contexts to refer to the previous year. For example, you can say “是年我們去了美國旅行。” (si6 nin4 ngo5 mun4 heoi3 li3 uk1 leoi5 hang4) which translates to “Last year, we traveled to the United States.”
- 上年 (soeng6 nin4) – Another formal phrase that can be used to mean “last year.” For instance, you could say “上年呢個節日好開心。” (soeng6 nin4 ni1 go3 zit3 jat6 hou2 hoi1 sam1), meaning “Last year, this festival was very joyful.”
Informal Ways to Say “Last Year” in Cantonese
For casual or informal conversations with friends, family, or colleagues, you can use the following expressions:
- 上年 (soeng6 nin4) – Informally, Cantonese speakers often use the same term as in formal settings. For example, you can say “上年去咗邊度玩啊？” (soeng6 nin4 heoi3 zo2 bin1 dou6 waan2 aa3?) which translates to “Where did you go on vacation last year?”
- 去年 (heoi3 nin4) – This term is widely used in informal conversations and is interchangeable with “last year.” For instance, you might say “去年我揾到份好工作。” (heoi3 nin4 ngo5 wan2 dou2 fan6 hou2 gung1 zok3), meaning “Last year, I found a great job.”
Examples and Tips
To help you better understand the usage of these phrases, here are a few examples and additional tips:
Example 1: 上年我遇到左好多新朋友！(Soeng6 nin4 ngo5 jyu6 dou3 zo2 hou2 do1 san1 pang4 jau5!) – Last year, I met so many new friends!
In this example, we used the informal expression “上年” (soeng6 nin4) to talk about meeting new friends.
Example 2: 是年公司經營狀況非常理想。(Si6 nin4 gung1 si1 ging1 jing4 zong6 hou6 fei1 soeng4 lei5 coeng4.) – Last year, the company’s performance was excellent.
In this formal sentence, we utilized “是年” (si6 nin4) to convey the idea of last year’s exceptional performance.
Now, let’s move on to some handy tips:
- Tip 1: If you’re unsure about which term to use, “上年” (soeng6 nin4) is generally a safe bet as it works both formally and informally.
- Tip 2: When interacting with Cantonese speakers, it’s beneficial to include the subject or time reference to avoid confusion. For instance, instead of simply saying “上年” (soeng6 nin4), you can say “你上年” (nei5 soeng6 nin4), meaning “last year for you.”
- Tip 3: Practice using these phrases in conversation to become more comfortable with their application.
Regional Variations
While the variations among dialects can be vast, regarding saying “last year” in Cantonese, the differences are minimal. However, in some regions, slight variations may occur with tones or pronunciation. Nevertheless, the phrases mentioned earlier are understood throughout Cantonese-speaking areas.
Remember, in Cantonese, the way you say “last year” may differ slightly, but the overall meaning remains the same.
Congratulations on completing our guide on how to say “last year” in Cantonese! You now possess the knowledge to effortlessly express this concept in formal and informal settings. By incorporating these phrases into your conversations and paying attention to the tips shared, you’ll soon become a more fluent Cantonese speaker!
