Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “week” in Cantonese! Whether you are traveling to a Cantonese-speaking region or simply interested in learning a new language, this guide will provide you with both formal and informal ways to express this term. We’ll also touch on regional variations, although Cantonese is generally spoken in Guangdong province and Hong Kong. So, let’s dive in and explore the various ways to say “week” in Cantonese!
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Formal Expressions for “Week” in Cantonese
If you wish to convey the concept of a week in a formal setting, such as a business or academic environment, you can use the following phrases:
1. 星期 (sing^1 kei^4): This is the most common and standard way to say “week” in Cantonese. It literally translates to “star period” and is widely understood by Cantonese speakers. For example, you can say “我在下星期有個重要的會議。” (ngo^5 zoi^6 haa^6 sing^1 kei^4 jau^5 go^3 cung^4 jiu^6.) which means “I have an important meeting next week.” 2. 週 (zau^1): This is another formal term for “week” in Cantonese. It is more commonly used in written forms, such as in calendars or schedules. It is also widely understood in spoken Cantonese. For instance, you can say “請問這是幾星期？” (ceng^2 man^6 ze^2 si^6 gei^2 sing^1 kei^4?), which means “Excuse me, which week is this?” 3. 周期 (zau^1 kai^4): If you want to emphasize the cyclical nature of a week, you can use the term “周期,” which means “cycle.” It is a more formal expression and is commonly used in scientific or technical contexts. For example, you may say “我們需要在一周周期內完成這項任務。” (ngo^5 mun^4 seoi^1 joi^6 zoi^6 jat^1 zau^1 kai^4 noi^6 jyun^6 sing^4 muk^6.), which means “We need to complete this task within a one-week cycle.”
Informal Expressions for “Week” in Cantonese
If you are having casual conversations with friends or family members, you can use these more relaxed expressions to refer to a week:
1. 周末 (zau^1 mut^6): This term is used specifically to refer to the weekend in Cantonese. However, it is often informally used to mean “week” as well. For instance, you might say “我們去旅行的時候要在紐約待一個周末。” (ngo^5 mun^4 heoi^3 leoi^5 hang^4 dik^1 si^4 hau^2 zoi^6 nau^2 jok^3 doi^6 jat^1 go^3 zau^1 mut^6.), which means “When we travel, we will stay for a week in New York.” 2. 一個禮拜 (jat^1 go^3 lai^5 baai^2): This phrase is widely used in colloquial speech and is understood by Cantonese speakers across different regions. It is a less formal way to refer to a week. For example, you could say “下個禮拜見！” (haa^6 go^3 lai^5 baai^2 gin^3!), which means “See you next week!” 3. 七日 (cat^1 jat^6): This term, which translates as “seven days,” is also commonly used in informal Cantonese to denote a week. It is similar to saying “one week” in English. For instance, you may say “佢會離開七日嘅。” (keoi^5 wui^5 lei^4 hoi^1 cat^1 jat^6 ge^3.), which means “He will be away for a week.”
Regional Variations in Saying “Week” in Cantonese
While Cantonese is primarily spoken in Guangdong province and Hong Kong, there may be slight regional variations in the way people say “week” within those areas. Here are a couple of examples:
1. 恆星 (hang^4 sing^1): In some parts of the Guangdong province, the term “恆星” can be used to mean “week” in a more colloquial sense. The phrase literally translates to “persevering star.” For instance, you might hear someone say “我好快睇到恆星。” (ngo^5 hou^2 faai^3 tai^2 dou^2 hang^4 sing^1.), meaning “I will see you in a week.” 2. 週數 (zau^1 sau^3): Another regional variant is the use of “週數” to refer to a week. This term is more commonly used in Hong Kong. For example, you may hear someone say “我會喺三週數內完成。” (ngo^5 wui^5 hai^2 saam^1 zau^1 sau^3 noi^6 jyun^6 fung^1 sing^4.), meaning “I will complete it within three weeks.”
Remember, regional variations in Cantonese can vary greatly, and the aforementioned examples should give you a general idea of how to express “week” in different contexts.
Now that you have explored both formal and informal ways to say “week” in Cantonese, you can confidently engage in conversations, whether in academic, social, or everyday situations. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t hesitate to use these phrases while conversing with Cantonese speakers. Good luck and enjoy your Cantonese language learning journey!
