嗰個用廣東話點講
go2 go3 jung6 gwong2 dung1 waa2 dim2 gong2
The Cantonese phrase for "how to say that in Cantonese" is 嗰個用廣東話點講 (go2 go3 jung6 gwong2 dung1 waa2 dim2 gong2).
This phrase is used as a question when you want to know the Cantonese translation of a specific word or expression.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase can be broken down into several parts: 用 (use / using) to indicate the medium or language being used, and the ending 點講 (how to say).
Which one should you use?
If you are pointing to something close to you, replace 嗰個 (go2 go3 – that) with 呢個 (ni1 go3 – this) to say "how to say this in Cantonese".
How does it change in a sentence?
To make the question sound more natural and softer, you can add the particle 呀 (aa1) to the end of the phrase: 嗰個用廣東話點講呀？
How do you pronounce it?
go2 go3 jung6 gwong2 dung1 waa2 dim2 gong2
Did you know?
- In the phrase 點講, the word 點 (how) is the same character used for 'dot' or 'point' and is also used as a measure word for cigarettes.
- While the phrase refers to 廣東話 (Cantonese), you may hear people in Hong Kong refer to the language as 粵語 (Yue) in formal contexts or on official signage.
- While this phrase asks for a translation, a Cantonese speaker might respond by using a 'loanword' from English, especially for modern technology or fashion, rather than providing a traditional Cantonese term.
Examples in context
- 不好意思，請問用廣東話點講呢個字 / 詞？Sorry, may I ask how to say this word/phrase in Cantonese?
- 點講「___」喺廣東話？How do you say '___' in Cantonese?
- 如果我要講「___」用廣東話點講？If I want to say '___' in Cantonese, how do I say it?
- 嗰個用廣東話點講？go2 go3 jung6 gwong2 dung1 waa2 dim2 gong2?How do you say that in Cantonese?
- 我想知嗰個用廣東話點講。ngo5 soeng2 zi1 go2 go3 jung6 gwong2 dung1 waa2 dim2 gong2.I want to know how to say that in Cantonese.
- 請問嗰個用廣東話點講？cing2 man6 go2 go3 jung6 gwong2 dung1 waa2 dim2 gong2?Excuse me, how do you say that in Cantonese?
Example conversation
Two friends are looking at an English menu together.
- 志強 Chi Keung呢個字係咩意思？ni1 go3 zi6 hai6 me1 ji3 si1?What does this word mean?
- 美玲 Mei Ling係指好多嘢。hai6 zi2 hou2 do1 je5.It means a lot of things.
- 志強 Chi Keung咁嗰個用廣東話點講？gam3 go2 go3 jung6 gwong2 dung1 waa2 dim2 gong2?Then how do you say that in Cantonese?
- 美玲 Mei Ling可以用「豐富」呢個詞。ho2 ji5 jung6 "fung1 fu3" ni1 go3 ci4.You can use the word 'rich' (abundant).
