Learn "How much is this?" in addition to some more Cantonese phrases you'll find useful for shopping
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| 大家好(daai6 gaa1 hou2)! Hello and welcome to Cantonese Survival phrases brought to you by cantoneseclass101.com, my name is Nicole and I will be your language teacher and culture guide throughout this course. This course is designed to equip you with the language skills and knowledge to enable you to get the most out of your visit to Hong Kong or anywhere else in the Cantonese world. You will be surprised at how far a little Cantonese will go. Now before we jump in, remember to stop by cantoneseclass101.com and there you will find the accompanying PDF and additional info in this post. If you stop by, be sure to leave us a comment. |
| Cantonese Survival phrases lesson 18. How Much? Now some useful survival phrases for an activity that you may not be able to resist especially when you are in Hong Kong, Shopping! You should remember that 唔該(m4 goi1) or excuse me is almost always the first thing to say when you are talking to a shop clerk. After saying 唔該(m4 goi1) you should say 呢個幾錢？(ni1 go3 gei2 cin2). Let’s hear it again slowly 呢 個 幾 錢？(ni1 go3 gei2 cin2), 呢個幾錢？(ni1 go3 gei2 cin2) or how much is this. Now let’s break it down. 呢個(ni1 go3) means this one. 呢個(ni1 go3) this one. Now this is not the first time we’ve come across this word 呢個(ni1 go3). And first, we have the sound 呢(ni1) which means this and 個(go3) is most common measure word in Cantonese 個(go3). 呢個(ni1 go3) means this one and we have learned that one as well 嗰個(go2 go3), 嗰個(go2 go3) and it is followed by 幾錢(gei2 cin2) which literally means how much money 幾錢(gei2 cin2), 幾錢(gei2 cin2). Now all of these two sounds are rising tones. 幾錢(gei2 cin2), 幾錢(gei2 cin2) and together we have 呢個幾錢？(ni1 go3 gei2 cin2). How much is this? 呢個幾錢？(ni1 go3 gei2 cin2) or 嗰個幾錢？(go2 go3 gei2 cin2) How much is that? 嗰個幾錢？(go2 go3 gei2 cin2) How much is that? However I am sure you know perfectly well that Cantonese language can be varied and wide ranging. |
| So you won’t be surprised to hear that there are some more interesting ways to ask how much is this. Sometimes for instance, you are very likely to hear this one. 呢個點賣?(ni1 go3 dim2 maai6), 呢個點賣?(ni1 go3 dim2 maai6). It literally translates as how do you sell this or this one how to sell 呢個點賣?(ni1 go3 dim2 maai6). Now let’s break this down. 呢個(ni1 go3) is this one 呢個(ni1 go3) this one. 點(dim2) How to or how 點(dim2). It’s the same 點(dim2) in 點心(dim2 sam1), 點(dim2) and lastly we have 賣(maai6) to sell 賣(maai6) to sell. 呢個點賣?(ni1 go3 dim2 maai6) How do you sell this one or it’s actually 呢個點賣?(ni1 go3 dim2 maai6) How much is this one? 呢個點賣?(ni1 go3 dim2 maai6) How much is this one.? Now let’s hear these two ways of asking the price together for comparison. First we have 呢個幾錢？(ni1 go3 gei2 cin2) Then we have 呢個點賣?(ni1 go3 dim2 maai6). Let’s hear both of them one more time. 呢個幾錢？(ni1 go3 gei2 cin2) and 呢個點賣?(ni1 go3 dim2 maai6) or actually the easiest way to ask for the price is 幾錢(gei2 cin2), 幾錢(gei2 cin2) which is how much 幾錢(gei2 cin2). You can use this phrase together with the point method 幾錢(gei2 cin2) and point to the things you want 幾錢(gei2 cin2). |
| Now let’s go over these three sentences together. First we have 呢個幾錢？(ni1 go3 gei2 cin2) How much is this? Next we have 呢個點賣?(ni1 go3 dim2 maai6) How much is this and lastly we have 幾錢(gei2 cin2), how much. Now in Hong Kong, a popular place to shop would be Central or 上環(soeng6 waan4). Two districts in Hong Kong are popular for being a blend of Chinese and western culture. You can easily find Chinese antiques as well as latest fashion items. If you consider buying silver or gold jewelry, it’s a good idea to check prices beforehand. Many places sell jewelry. So take your time and look around. Now before we go, let’s have a look at some possible purchase that might interest you and how to say them in Cantonese. |
| First we have trousers 褲 (fu3), 褲 (fu3), 褲 (fu3) . Next we have shoes 鞋(haai4), 鞋(haai4), 鞋(haai4) and also hat 帽(mou2), 帽(mou2), 帽(mou2). Now pay attention to the tone of this word. It’s a rising tone, it’s a high rising tone 帽(mou2), 帽(mou2). All right, next we have bag 袋(doi2), 袋(doi2), 袋(doi2). Lastly we have jacket 褸(lau1). Lastly we have jacket 褸(lau1), 褸(lau1), 褸(lau1). Now I am sure you are ready. Now get out there and enjoy your shopping but before we go, to close out today’s lesson, we’d like you to practice what you’ve just learned. I will provide you with the English equivalent of the phrase and you are responsible for shouting it out loud. You have a few seconds before I give you the answers. 加 油(gaa1 jau2)! How much is this? 呢個幾錢？(ni1 go3 gei2 cin2) How much is that? 嗰個幾錢？(go2 go3 gei2 cin2) or 嗰個點賣？(go2 go3 dim2 maai6) How much 幾錢(gei2 cin2). All right, that about does it for today. Remember to stop by cantoneseclass101.com and pick up the accompanying PDF. If you stop by, be sure to leave us a post. Bye bye. |
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