Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “meeting” in Cantonese! Whether you’re a traveler looking to communicate with locals or a business professional engaging with Cantonese-speaking colleagues, understanding the various ways to express the concept of a meeting in Cantonese will greatly enhance your language skills. In this guide, we’ll cover both formal and informal ways to say “meeting” in Cantonese, providing you with valuable tips, regional variations, and plenty of examples to help you navigate conversational situations with ease. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Meeting” in Cantonese
When it comes to formal situations, such as professional settings or business gatherings, it’s important to use appropriate language. Here are a few formal ways to say “meeting” in Cantonese:
1. 會議 (wui5 ji5): A Standard Term for Meeting
The term “會議” is the most common and standard way of referring to a meeting in Cantonese. It is widely used in business and formal contexts.
Example:
我們下個星期的會議需要準備報告。
(ngo5 mun4 haa6 go3 sing1 jat1 dik1 wui5 ji5 seoi1 bit6 bou3 gou3.)
“We need to prepare a report for our meeting next week.”
2. 座談會 (zo6 taam4 wui5): Seminar or Discussion Meeting
In formal settings where discussions or seminars are held, the term “座談會” is commonly used.
Example:
我們將會舉辦一個座談會來討論新計畫。
(ngo5 mun4 zoeng1 wui5 geoi2 baan6 jat1 go3 zo6 taam4 wui5 loi4 tou2 leon6 san1 gai3 waak6.)
“We will hold a seminar to discuss the new project.”
Informal Ways to Say “Meeting” in Cantonese
When it comes to informal or casual conversations, Cantonese offers a variety of colloquial expressions for the concept of a meeting. Here are a few informal ways to say “meeting” in Cantonese:
1. 聚會 (zeoi6 wui5): Get-Together
“聚會” is a common term used for social gatherings or informal meetings among friends or acquaintances.
Example:
星期六我們會有一個朋友聚會。
(sing1 kei4 luk6 ngo5 mun4 wui5 jau5 jat1 go3 pang4 jau5 zeoi6 wui5.)
“We’ll have a friends’ get-together on Saturday.”
2. 見面 (gin3 min6): Meeting or Encounter
“見面” is a versatile term that can be used in both formal and informal contexts to refer to a meeting or encounter.
Example:
我們今晚見面商討一下計劃。
(ngo5 mun4 gam1 maan5 gin3 min6 soeng1 tou2 jat1 haa6 gai3 waak6.)
“Let’s meet tonight to discuss the plans.”
Regional Variations
While the terms mentioned above are widely understood and used across Cantonese-speaking regions, it’s worth noting that there might be slight regional variations. Let’s look at some examples:
1. 開會 (hoi1 wui5): Hong Kong Variation
“開會” is a common variation used in Hong Kong to express the concept of a meeting.
Example:
我哋今晚要開會討論下個項目。
(ngo5 dei2 gam1 maan5 jiu3 hoi1 wui5 tou2 leon6 haa6 go3 soeng1 muk6.)
“We need to have a meeting tonight to discuss the next project.”
2. 報告 (bou3 gou3): Mainland China Variation
“報告” is a term commonly used in Mainland China to refer to a meeting, particularly emphasizing the aspect of reporting and presentations.
Example:
我們明天有一個報告會。
(wo3 men5 ming2 tian1 you3 yi2 ge4 bou3 gou4 hui4.)
“We have a briefing meeting tomorrow.”
Tips for Using the Term “Meeting” in Cantonese
- Use “會議” in formal contexts, such as business meetings or professional settings.
- When talking about informal gatherings, opt for “聚會” or “見面” depending on the situation.
- Adapt to regional variations if you’re in a specific Cantonese-speaking region.
- If unsure, it’s always safe to use the more general terms that are widely understood, like “會議” or “見面”.
Conclusion
Congratulations on completing our comprehensive guide on how to say “meeting” in Cantonese! You’ve learned various formal and informal ways to express the concept, along with some regional variations. Remember to adapt your choice of terms depending on the context and speakers you are communicating with. Keep practicing and immersing yourself in the Cantonese language to enhance your skills further. Happy conversing!
