多謝 / 多谢
do¹ ze⁶
In Cantonese, "thanks" can be expressed as 多謝 / 多谢 (do¹ ze⁶) or 唔該 / 唔该.
Meaning: used to express appreciation or gratitude (intj)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 多謝 / 多谢 | do¹ ze⁶ |
| 唔該 / 唔该 | m⁴ goi¹ |
Cantonese uses different expressions for gratitude depending on the context. 唔該 / 唔该 is a common and versatile way to say "thank you," particularly when receiving a service or small assistance. It also functions as a utility phrase to mean "excuse me" when getting someone's attention, or "please" when making a request. 多謝 / 多谢 is used to express appreciation for something more substantial, such as receiving a gift or money.
Which one should you use?
Use do¹ ze⁶ (多謝 / 多谢) when you are receiving a gift, money or a significant favor. Use m⁴ goi¹ (唔該 / 唔该) when receiving a service, such as a waiter bringing you water or when someone performs a small helpful action.
How do you pronounce it?
do¹ ze⁶
Did you know?
- The word 唔該 / 唔该 literally translates to 'not troubling' or 'no trouble', suggesting that the speaker acknowledges the effort spent on their behalf.
- Cantonese speakers may respond to 唔該 / 唔该 with 唔使客氣, which means 'no need to be polite' and functions like 'you're welcome'.
- While 多謝 is for gifts, 唔該 is often used for 'work' or 'tasks' being performed by others, creating a linguistic boundary between physical objects and human effort.
Example sentences for Cantonese are not verified yet.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thanks” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
