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  hai6   jyutping
  xi4   pinyin
[1] [] [v] to be; is; are
[2] [] yes, it is; indeed; right; positive
[3] [n] relation; relationship; consequence

is also a traditional character apart from being the simplified form for and .
Default PoS: verb Additional PoS: noun
Stroke count: 9
Level: 1
Radical: (#9)

This character is used in both Cantonese and Mandarin/Standard written Chinese.
係 / 系

This word has been viewed 49972 times since 30th Oct 2012, was added by sheik on 18th Mar 2007 21:22 and last edited on 11th May 2018 10:30

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detail  ding6 hai6   = or
detail  zan1 hai6  zhen1 xi4 = really
detail  ngo5 hai6   = I am (common formation)
detail  daan6 hai6  dan4 xi4 = but; however
detail  m4 hai6   = not be; am not; otherwise
detail  mut6 gwaan1 hai6  mei2 guan1 xi5 = no relation to; never mind
detail  hai6 gam2 sin1   = that's it for now; that's all for now
detail  jat1 hai6   = either/or
detail  zik1 hai6   = exactly; precisely the case
detail  zing6 hai6  jing4 xi4 = only, merely
detail  hai6 me1   = really? is that true?
detail  hai6 m4 hai6   = is it or is it not
detail  hai6 mai6/6*2   = to be or not to be
detail  zung6 hai6   = still; nevertheless
detail  zau6 hai6  jiu4 xi4 = exactly; even if
detail  mai6 hai6/hai6*2  mi1 xi4 = to be; exactly so
detail  jau6 hai6  you4 xi4 = again; yet another
detail  m4 hai6 aa6 maa3   = surely it can't be
detail  m4 hai6 aa6 maa3   = variant of 唔係吖嘛
detail  dou1 hai6   = may as well; still
detail  gang2 hai6   = of course
detail  m4 hai6 ne1   = otherwise; or else
detail  m4 hai6 gei2 cing1 co2   = not quite clear...
detail  zi2 hai6  zhi3 xi4 = only
detail  zing6 hai6  sheng4 xi4 = only; merely
detail  m4 hai6 gwaa3   = "are you kidding?"
detail ?  zan1 hai6*2   = "really?" as a question
detail  hai6 gam2 laa1   = so be it; let it be this way; it's a deal
detail  bin1 dou6 hai6 aa3   = not really
detail  hai6 m4 hai6 sin1   = do you agree with me? don't you!
detail  hai6 mai6 sin1   = do you agree with me? don't you!
detail  m4 hai6 zau6   = otherwise; or else
detail  hai6 aa1   = correct; exactly; yeah
detail ...  m4 hai6 gei2  wu2 xi4 ji3 = not really...
detail  zau6 syun3 hai6 gam2   = be that as it may
detail  hai6*2 laa1   = expresses resolutely "it is so"
detail  ji4 m4 hai6   = instead of; rather than
detail  zung2 hai6  zong3 shi4 = always; all the time
detail  zung6 hai6  zhong6 xi4 = 1. still; nevertheless 2. always [also 重係]
detail  zik1 hai6 waa6  ji2 xi4 hua4 = that is to say...
detail  jat1 jat6 dou1 hai6  yi1 ri4 dou1 xi4 = it's all because of
detail  jat1 jat6 dou1 hai6 nei5  yi1 ri4 dou1 xi4 ni3 = it's all because of you
detail  m4 hai6 ge3 waa6*2   = if not; otherwise
detail  joek6 m4 hai6   = otherwise
detail  hai6 ngo5 lai4 ge3   = it's me
detail  gwaan1 hai6  guan1 xi5 = relation; connection
detail  m4 hai6 gei2   = not very
detail  m4 hai6 hou2   = not very
detail  tyut3 lei4 gwaan1 hai6  tuo1 li2 guan1 xi4 = to break off relations; to cut ties
detail  faan4 hai6  fan2 xi4 = every; any; all
detail  hai6 jan4 dou1 zi1   = public knowledge
detail  kok3 hai6   = actually is
detail  lei5 jau4 hai6 jan1 wai6   = the reason is...
detail  jyun4 jan1 hai6 jan1 wai6   = the reason is...
detail  jyu4 gwo2 m4 hai6 ne1   = otherwise; or else
detail  goi2 sin6 gwaan1 hai6  gai3 shan4 guan1 xi5 = to improve relations
detail  zing3 zi6 gwaan1 hai6  zheng4 zhi4 guan1 xi4 = political relations
detail  ngoi6 gaau1 gwaan1 hai6  wai4 jiao1 guan1 xi4 = foreign relations; diplomatic relations
detail  do1 ji6 gwaan1 hai6  duo1 yi4 guan1 xi4 = equivocality
detail  jau5 gwaan1 hai6  you3 guan1 xi5 = to relate to; to be relevant; to have involvement; to have connections
detail  sing3 gwaan1 hai6  xing4 guan1 xi4 = sexual relations
detail  gwaan1 hai6 sik1  guan1 xi4 shi4 = relation
detail  hai6 mat1 hai6 mat6   = like so and so; to utter nonsense
detail  hai6 gam3 daai6*2   = to have fallen from prestige; to be finished; to be done for; to bite the dust
detail  hai6 gam2 ji3*2   = casual; careless; to do as one pleases
detail  zung1 mei5 gwaan1 hai6   = Sino-US relations
detail  gwaan1 hai6 ok3 faa3   = sour a relation
detail  gwaan1 hai6 gan2 zoeng1   = strained/tense/frosty relations
detail  zung1 ngo4 gwaan1 hai6  zhong1 e2 guan1 xi5 = Sino-Russian relations
detail  zung1 jat6 gwaan1 hai6  zhong1 ri4 guan1 xi5 = Sino-Japanese relations
detail  loeng5 ngon6 gwaan1 hai6  liang3 an4 guan1 xi5 = relations between mainland China and Taiwan
detail  zing3 hai6 jan1 wai6   = just because
detail  zung1 jing1 gwaan1 hai6  zhong1 ying1 guan1 xi4 = [n] Sino-British relations
detail  jan4 zai3 gwaan1 hai6  ren2 ji4 guan1 xi4 (Taiwan), ren2 ji4 guan1 xi5 (PRC) = interpersonal relationship (common formation)
detail  se5 wui6*2 gwaan1 hai6  she4 hui4 guan1 xi4 (Taiwan), she4 hui4 guan1 xi5 (PRC) = human relations in in society; social relations; one's social connections (common formation)
detail  faan2 zyun3 zyu1 tou5 zau6 hai6 si2   = to experience a friend turning into an enemy after a dispute
detail  gei2 hai6   = very
detail  jat1 m4 hai6   = otherwise
detail  sau2 zoeng2 jau6 hai6 juk6,sau2 bui3 jau6 hai6 juk6   = difficulties on both sides
detail  gwo2 zo2 hoi2 zau6 hai6 san4 sin1   = to not care about what method is used to reach the target
detail  ji4 hai6   = but rather
detail  jyu4 gwo2 m4 hai6 zau6   = otherwise; or else
detail  ngaang6*2 hai6; ngaang6 hai6   = stubbornly; relentlessly
detail  zau6 hai6 gam3 do1   = [1] it's just that much; [2] that's it for now
detail  gam2 m4 hai6*2   = that's just the way it is; exactly
detail  m4 hai6 gei2 hou2   = nothing much; not very special
detail  daan1 hai6   = only, merely
detail  gwok3 zai3 gwaan1 hai6  guo2 ji4 guan1 xi4 = international relations
detail  mou5 gwaan1 hai6   = no relation to; never mind
detail  kwan4 daai3 gwaan1 hai6  qun2 dai4 guan1 xi4 = nepotism; with the help of one's female relatives
detail  can1 suk6 gwaan1 hai6  qin1 shu3 guan1 xi4 = family relationships; kindred, kinship
detail  can1 zuk6 gwaan1 hai6  qin1 zu2 guan1 xi4 = family relationships; kindred, kinship
detail  ze3 hai6 jan4 cing4 m4 ze3 hai6 dou6 lei5   = to lend and help is out of kindness, but there are many reasons for not lending or helping
detail  can1 zi2 gwaan1 hai6  qin1 zi4 guan1 xi4 = parent child relationship
detail ...  jat1 jat6 dou1 hai6  yi1 ri4 dou1 xi4 = it's all .... fault; ... is always the blame
detail  mei5 gwok3 ngoi6 gaau1 gwaan1 hai6 hip3 wui6*2  mei3 guo2 wai4 jiao1 guan1 xi4 xie2 hui4 = Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)
detail  zi3 do1 m4 hai6  zhi4 duo1 wu2 xi4 = at most; worst case scenario
detail  sin1 hai6   = only then is...
detail  ban1 zyu2 gwaan1 hai6  bin1 zhu3 guan1 xi5 = guest-host relationship
detail  bei2 zeok6 hai6 ngo5  bi4 zhe5 xi4 wo3 = if I was in your place; if I were you
detail ...  m4 hai6 sau2 goek3  wu2 xi4 shou3 jiao3 = no match for...
detail  gin3 laap6 zing3 sik1 ngoi6 gaau1 gwaan1 hai6  jian4 li4 zheng4 shi4 wai4 jiao1 guan1 xi4 = formally establish diplomatic relations
detail  laang5 daam6 gwaan1 hai6  leng3 dan4 guan1 xi4 = cold relations (e.g. between countries)
detail  toi4 waan1 gwaan1 hai6 faat3  tai2 wan1 guan1 xi4 fa3 = Taiwan Relations Act (of 1975)
detail  hai6 sou3  xi4 shu4 = [math] coefficient
detail  ji6 hong6 sik1 hai6 sou3  er4 xiang4 shi4 xi4 shu4 = [math] a binomial coefficient; the number of combinations
detail  haak3 wu6 gwaan1 hai6 gun2 lei5 jyun5 tai2   = customer-relationship-management (CRM) software
detail  gong2 toi4 gwaan1 hai6  gang3 tai2 guan1 xi4 = Hong Kong and Taiwan relations
detail  hai6 gam2   = be in this way; continuously
detail  m4 hai6 maang5 lung4 m4 gwo3 gong1   = He who dares to come is surely not a coward
detail  gam2 jau6 hai6   = you are right there
detail  m4 hai6 lou6   = off the beam
detail  sin1 zi3 hai6   = be really
detail  m4 hai6 jan4 gam2 ban2   = unfeeling and unreasonable; peculiar character
detail  m4 hai6 je5 siu2   = no trivial matter
detail  sou1 sou1 dou1 hai6 joeng4 juk6  sao1 sao1 dou1 xi4 yang2 rou4 = something falls short of expectations but is still of benefit
detail  hoi2 haap6 loeng5 ngon6 gwaan1 hai6 hip3 wui6*2  hai3 xia2 liang3 an4 guan1 xi5 xie2 hui4 = PRC Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits (ARATS)

Showing all 215 examples containing 係
detail audio 係咪本地人嚟㗎
Is he/she a local?
detail audio 牛肉定係豬肉
Do you want to eat beef or pork?
detail audio 定係食飯
Do you want to eat noodles or rice?
detail audio 呢位父親
This is my father.
detail audio 而家幾點鐘? 而家三點三個字
What time is it now? It's a quarter past three.
detail audio 真係
He is really fast.
detail audio 你嘅教師邊個
Who is your teacher?
detail audio 我係今日返屋企
I returned home only today.
[http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?14,131851 ]
detail 幾時返嚟?
When are you coming back?
[the "when" is emphasized by 係 preceding it, and the use of the final particle 㗎. Pronouncing 㗎 as gaa2 would add a sense of reservation or doubt about the situation.]
detail audio 星期日公眾假期
Sunday is a public holiday.
detail audio 烏龍茶一種
烏龍茶 is a type of tea.
detail audio 唔係隨處
it's 徐志摩(a famous Chinese writer), not 除處摸 (touching everywhere around)!
detail 蘋果
This is an apple
detail 唔係蘋果
This is not an apple
detail audio 小明好朋友
Siu Ming and Siu Fong are good friends.
detail 係唔係
Is it over?
[書面語:是否完結了?]
detail 阻住溫書真係唔好意思
Sorry for interrupting your studies!
[Lit. block you revise [particle], really sorry. Standard Chinese:打擾你溫習,真不好意思]
detail 妹妹真係好叻
You're really smart, little sis!
[Lit. Younger sister, you really very clever!]
detail 係咪真係完全明白
Do you really understand everything?
detail 原來哥哥差人
Your brother was a policeman all along!
[Lit. all along you brother is policeman]
detail 就算係噉點呀
Even if that's the case, so what?
[Lit. even if is that way, then how [particle]?]
detail 真係輸咗
I've lost (this contest)...
[Note that 真係 isn't necessarily translated into English - sometimes it's used where an English speaker would just add extra emphasis onto the word. In this case, "I've *lost*!"]
detail 後日係咪游水
Are you going swimming the day after tomorrow?
[This is just a simple yes-no question. You can replace the verb-object pair with anything you like.]
detail 後日係咪游水
Are you still going swimming with me, the day after tomorrow?
[Note that the inclusion of 去 here implies that you've already made an appointment to go with someone and you're confirming (你想確定). The swimming pool is far away from both of you.]
detail 聽日游水
Are you still coming swimming with me tomorrow?
[Note that the inclusion of 嚟 here implies that you've already made an appointment to go with someone and you're confirming (你想確定). The swimming pool is near you but far from the other person.]
detail 可惡究竟係咩
Ugh, what actually happened [just now]?
[This is a common phrase in some TV shows. 可惡 is an interjection meaning "ugh". 究竟係咩事呀 is a shorter form of 究竟係發生咩事呀, so literally we have "ugh, actually is happen what?"]
detail 你哋真係
You're no good at fooling people.
[Lit. you-[plural marker] really trick-not-arrive people]
detail 係唔係中國人
Is he Chinese?
[Lit. He is-not-is Chinese? Std. Chinese: 他是不是中國人?]
detail 鐘意台灣歌手就係盧廣仲
My favourite Taiwanese singer is Crowd Lu.
detail audio 二手嚟㗎
This car is second-hand.
detail audio 真係唔明白點解噉樣
I really don't understand why he acts/behaves like this.
[http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?14,131924,131924#msg-131924]
detail audio 我哋一係圖書館一係返屋企
We either go the the library or go home.
detail audio 怕死鬼
You are a coward.
detail audio 係唔係花生油?
Is this cooked in peanut oil?
detail audio 係唔係大學讀緊書?
Is your son studying in university?
detail audio 如果唔係買嘢
If I'm not too tired, I will go shopping.
detail audio 每年呢個時候總係忙碌
It is always so busy this time of the year.
detail audio 我哋聖誕樹定係?
Shall we get a real Christmas tree or an artificial one?
detail audio 硬係過籠
You always eat too much food!
detail audio 火雞唔係容易
Cooking a turkey well is not easy.
detail audio 唔係
You're not my cup of tea
detail 真係得著
You came at the right time
[cf. [url=http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/examples/596/]opposite version[/url]]
detail 真係唔著時
You come at a bad time.
[cf. [url=http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/examples/595/]opposite version[/url]]
detail 可以誓願
It's true I swear!
detail 竟然係噉!
Oh! really?!
detail 中國人筷子食飯
Chinese people are [people who] use chopsticks to have their meals.
["揸" here is actually "to hold"]
detail 究竟定係  ?! 
Actually, does chicken come first or egg first?
detail 打麻雀姨媽嗜好
Playing mahjong is my aunt's hobby.
detail 食飯享受
Having a meal is a joy.
detail audio 全民香港特色
Everyone buying stocks is a characteristic of Hong Kong
detail audio
Paper cannot wrap fire.
[Subtext: a secret cannot be kept forever.]
detail audio 中國人前面
Chinese put their surnames to the front.
detail
Some oranges are sweet.
detail
Water and oil cannnot be mixed together.
detail 佢哋遊客
They're tourists.
detail 老闆
He is a nice boss.
detail 都係唔啱!
It's all my fault!
detail 呢個雲石地板
This is a marble floor.
detail 喺度釣魚但係終於垃圾
He's fishing... but, he wound up catching some rubbish!
[Lit. He currently fishing... but, he finally catch-arrive rubbish!]
detail 雖然真空但係唔係乜嘢都
Although it's a vacuum, it's not like there's nothing there.
[Lit. Although is vacuum, but not saying anything don't-have]
detail 有時淨係坦克
Sometimes it's shortened to "tank".
[Lit. Have-times only call "tank". [坦克 is short for 坦克車.]]
detail 見到呢度唔係好警崗
I can see a police box that's not very big here.
[Lit. I see-arrive here have one [counter] is-not very big [possessive particle] police box. You CANNOT say 唔大 or 唔好大 instead of 唔係好大, although it may sound like either one if a speaker is talking very quickly. 唔大 should be 細.]
detail 次次講大話真係大嚿衰
He tells lies to me every time... he's really obnoxious.
[大嚿衰 is specifically referencing a 大隻老.]
detail 次次講大話真係衰人
She tells lie to me every time... she's a really horrible person.
detail 頭盔但係唔係好
He's wearing a helmet but it doesn't look too good on him.
[Lit. He wear-continue one [counter] helmet, however not-very stylish.]
detail 你嘅真係好似好攰
Seeing your face, you must be really tired.
[Lit. see your face, really seem very tired [particles]]
detail 殺人狂嚟㗎
He's a homicidal maniac!
detail 今次案件真係棘手
The case I'm working on is very thorny.
[Lit. This time [possessive particle] case really very problematic.]
detail 係咪保險嗰啲
Is it those people who want to sell insurance?
detail 佢嘅真正目的
What's his real plan?
detail 不過都係畀我
However, you'll also be beaten by me!
[Lit. However also beaten by me.]
detail 冇用緊要才華
Looks are nothing... the most important thing is talent.
detail 馬鞍山一個架空車站
Ma On Shan MTR Station is an elevated rail station.
[架空 means elevated rail (as opposed to underground).]
detail 你哋係咪好多男朋友
You must be popular with the boys!
[Lit. you [plural] [clause delimiter], is-or-is-it-not have many boyfriend [particle]]
detail 先進係咩詞性?/一個形容詞
What part of speech does "先進" belong to? / It's an adjective.
[Lit. "advanced" is what part-of-speech [particle]? / is one [counter] adjective.]
detail 唔係幾
I'm not too busy.
[唔係太忙/唔太忙. This is a useful construction into which you can place lots of other adjectives: 開心 or 急, for example.]
detail 不愧爸爸
You should be proud to be your father's son.
[lit. you no shame be father [possessive particle] boy]
detail 不愧爸爸
You're worthy of being your father's son.
[Lit. worthy be father [possessive particle] boy]
detail 守得秘密係咪
You can keep a secret, right?
detail 唔係小氣
I'm not that petty!
[Context: I was saying that I wouldn't share my bananas with someone; then, to make the point that it was a joke, the above phrase was used.]
detail 以為我係邊個
Who do you think I am?/Do you know who I am?
[Lit. you mistakenly-believe I am who [particle]?]
detail 真係無聊落去
You're being ridiculous, I don't want to mess around any more.
[Lit. really nonsense, I not want play-continue [particle]. 落去 has the meaning of "continue" here and may be suffixed to many verbs.]
detail 真係
You're really very strict, huh?
detail 呢個實驗緊要記性
It's vital to remember what you're doing in this experiment.
[Lit. this [counter] experiment[,] most important is memory Translated more directly: "the most important thing about this experiment is memory", but I don't think that's what's meant since the context is a chemistry experiment rather than psychology.]
detail 獵豹世界上動物
The cheetah is the fastest animal in the world.
[Lit. cheetah is world-on run-manner most fast [possessive particle] animal]
detail 香港,就係
In Hong Kong, I'm most scared of being bitten.
[Lit. Hong Kong, I most scared [possessive particle] exactly is by mosquitoes bite. This sentence is topicalised: the topic (Hong Kong) is introduced at the start. Also, note the phrase 最怕嘅; the 嘅 turns it into a noun phrase.]
detail 屈質,將就
The room is indeed cramped, please make do with it.
[[i]literal[/i] (classifier) room is cramped indeed, make-do-with a-little (particle)]
detail 特登
Young Lam has come especially to see you, you know.
[係...㗎 (or 嘅) is used to emphasize a fact.]
detail 唔係,今朝重未見到
No, I haven't seen him yet this morning.
[呃 [aak3] is a final particle used here to emphasize a denial of sth which is often detailed immediately after it.]
detail 兩個重係讀緊書
Mr Lee is married with two sons, who are still in school.
[There is no relative pronoun (such as "who") in Cantonese. The change of subject is self-evident from the context.]
detail 上次考試真係攞命
The last exam was a real killer.
detail 每次見到都係講緊電話
He's speaking on the phone whenever I see him.
[English "whenever" = Cantonese "every time" (每次) + "is always" (都係)]
detail 淨係
You aren't the only one who have it; I too have it.
[夠 is used as an adverb that means "too".]
detail audio 係咪三級片
Are you watching porn?
[Lit. You are-not watching erotic movie?]
detail audio 成日食嘢唔做嘢搏炒係咪?
You're forever eating and not doing work; are you trying to get fired?
detail audio 現代女裝恤衫露出乳溝露出肚臍都係已經成為常態
Today, it is no longer unusual to have tops for ladies which reveal the cleavage or the navel.
detail 快啲唔係就遲到㗎喇
Please be quicker, otherwise it will be late.
detail 今晚咁多梗係食唔晒
There's so much food tonight; of course I can't finish the lot.
detail 電車男封閉青年
The "train man" is a loner
detail audio 今日打扮真係潮爆
You look really fashionable today!
[Your style is very up to date.]
detail audio 但係
He/She is reading a book, but I can't see what it's called.
detail audio 係咩()牌子?
What brand are your shoes?
detail audio 梗係女仔!
He's so ugly, of course he can't get a girl(friend)!
detail audio 我嘅職業唔係一般人可以接受
My occupation is not one that normal people can accept.
detail 嚟嘅所謂專家, 其實學生
The so-called expert they invited has turned out to be a student.
detail audio 所謂專家原來學生
The so-called expert turned out to be a student.
detail , 何況
He can't afford a car, let alone a house.
detail audio 專門開會
The room is given over to meetings.
detail audio 佢嘅金叵羅
His youngest son is his most precious.
detail 表面上關係好好內裡其實係咪
The relationship is cordial on the surface, but is it really so (deep down inside)?
detail 環境被逼先至標參
The circumstances forced him to kidnap.
detail 九大簋加上美女真係錦上添花
Having this feast with such beauties is indeed beyond perfection.
detail 提子
The grapes are sold according to their weight.
detail 斷估原來真係廿
I was only making wild guesses. Didn't know he actually was 23 years old.
detail 家下𨂾光黑嚟唔切
It is already dusk, I don't think we can make it in time.
detail 枕住健身肌肉都係鬆婄,只得老鼠仔
He has been working out for a long time, yet his muscles are still soft, with only half-developed biceps.
detail 餐廳例湯都係三幅被新鮮畀你
This restaurant always serves the same soups; there's never a new thing for you to try.
detail 唔係皇上使唔使姿整?
You are not meeting the emperor, do you need to be so particular about what you wear?
detail 冇符
I'm at wits end for this matter
detail 先至唔好貪口爽
Tell me only if it is true, don't say it for the mere fun of it.
detail 我係非常贊同辛苦搵嚟自在食講法,何必委屈自己
I agree with the saying that one should work hard and play hard. Why treat yourself so badly?
detail 捉棋時候依牙鬆槓
It irritates me when people around me are giving all sorts of comments while I am playing chess.
detail 唔係而係自己開心
I do this job not for the money, but rather for my happiness.
detail 真係多謝雪中送炭我哋先至難關
We really must thank you for giving us (the money, food, material needs etc) so that we can make it through the hard times.
detail 幾百真係及時雨
This few hundred dollars is really great help at the right time.
detail 唔好玩水唔係就𢱕濕
Don't play in the water, or else you will get your clothes wet.
detail 已經寫明點鐘開始
I've already clearly put into writing that it starts at 7 o'clock.
detail 雖然只係上台分享自己經歷唔知點自然覺得怯場
Although merely sharing my experiences on stage, I do not know why I would naturally get stage fright.
detail audio 唔怪之得廚房罐頭逐一逐樣唔見咗原來鼠竊狗偷
No wonder the can foods in the kitchen has been disappearing one by one; so you are the one stealing them.
detail audio 人哋重係黃花閨女
She's still an untouched virgin girl!
[The audio has 閨 mispronounced as gwai3 (instead of gwai1).]
detail 學好講嘢當我時候開始而家只係最後先至
I want to learn to speak first . When I can speak well, then I'll learn to write. For now, I just want to leave the writing until last.
[copied from [url=http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?7,91899,91899#msg-91899]this thread.[/url]]
detail audio 講手指甲凹凹凸凸表示健康問題
I hear that uneven finger nails means that there are some health issues.
detail audio 等我試下你嘅咖喱係咪耍家
Let me try and see if your curry is really that accomplished.
detail 打邊爐同打屎窟可以
These two issues are as different as chalk is from cheese, how can they be put together and be compared at all?
detail audio 今日咎由自取
He has only himself to blame for the plight he is in now.
detail audio 真係癩蛤蟆想食天鵝肉
You are going after a girl who is way too good for you.
detail 今日開籠雀梗係男朋友
She’s been talking non-stop the whole morning. Probably because the boyfriend has come back.
[Alternative (more literal) translation: She was singing the whole morning like a bird (not in captivity). The boyfriend must have returned to her.]
detail audio 靚女睇戲梗係𦧲飯應
A pretty girl is willing to catch a movie with you. Surely that is something you wished for.
detail 又係老鬼
It's just me, the old guy!
detail audio 真係吹脹
He rendered me speechless.
detail audio 廣告周街都係!
This advertisement is being posted all over the place!
detail audio 真係棘手
You are competent to have solved such a sticky problem.
detail audio 梗係唔及得
He is definitely not as clever as you.
detail 真係kai
That guy is really nerdy!
detail 我係無事不登三寶殿
I wouldn't come to you if I hadn't something to ask of you.
detail 或者呢個褻瀆神明應得報應
This probably is the punishment he gets for blaspheming against the deities.
detail 今年八十重係精神爽利
She is already eighty this year, yet she is still full of life and zest.
detail 真係冇用畀人乜都出嚟
You are useless. You revealed everything when they pressured you to do so.
detail 老虎竟然識食紅蘿蔔真係咄咄怪事
Tigers that eat carrots? How strange is that?!
detail 真係令人猝不及防
I was caught off-guard by this sudden move of his.
detail 果然豪傑
She is indeed a heroine!
detail 真係住得背而家先知移民
I am really not well informed. It is now that I learn he has migrated.
detail 而家梗係聯絡
He is definitely uncontactable now since he is on the run.
detail 真係著時適值屋企
Came at the right time, just when he is home.
detail 攞景定係贈興
You are mocking us or being sarcastic!
detail 我知道呢個不爭事實
I know this is the undeniable truth.
detail audio 而家細路真係身在福中不知福
Children nowadays really don't know how fortunate they are.
detail audio 友仔掗拃真係好鬼麻煩
That over self-entitled person is really troublesome!
detail 考古學研究人類文化歷史學科
Archeology is a science that studies human cultures and history
detail 淨係鍾意紅色,冇得解
She only loves to wear red dresses, which can't be explained why.
detail 生果一種有益健康食物
Fresh fruit is a kind of food that's beneficial to health.
detail 起嚟真係一疋布咁長
It's a long incident/story to talk about.
[the story is so long to talk about as if it's as long as a full roll of fabric.]
detail 今日雖然只係第二日...
Today, although is just the second day ...
[Usually this sentence is followed by saying how unexpected the situation has developed into, even though it is just the second day of the event/situation. ]
detail 唔好以為佢地只係學生  ?! 
Don't think they're just students!
detail 唔好偷𥊙人哋沖涼如果唔係眼挑針  ?! 
Don't spy on people when they are showering, otherwise you'll get a stye!
[There is an old wives' tale linking styes to spying on people when they are bathing.]
detail 如果阿明真係一個超人⋯⋯唔會米田共返嚟屋企重要走廊地板都係死人⋯⋯
It'd be nice if Ah Ming were a superhero that knew how to fly … Then he wouldn't have brought home the poop that he stepped on in the street and printed it all over the floorboards in the hallway! Cleaning it up will be the death of me …
detail 呢個復活節係咪北海道滑雪,重係十劃都未有一撇
It's still far too early to tell if we are going skiing in Hokkaido this Easter.
[In this sentence, the third character 都 in the idiom 十劃都未有一撇 could be moved three spaces up so that the latter half of the sentence would become 都重係十劃未有一撇. The meaning would remain the same. ]
detail 剩係得個講字唔使
That guy is just all talk and no action. Pay no attention to him.
detail 見到頭先已經知道唔係普通筆記
Based on your expression just now, I guess you already know that this isn't an ordinary notebook.
[Lit. see-arrive you just-not (possessive particle) expression, I think you already know-already, this (counter) isn't ordinary (possessive particle) notebook.]
detail 原來係噉反而畀你
On the contrary, it's me that's scared by you!
[Lit. Originally like that, on the contrary it's me by you scared (particle) 原來係噉 is a useful phrase with no readily translatable meaning. (At least not consistently.)]
detail 細佬鐘意公眾地方著衫但係呢啲法律
Kid, no-one likes to wear clothes in public, but it's the law!
[Lit. child, have-no people like in public place wear-clothes [particle], however these are law [particle]]
detail 如果真係有興趣學好廣東話嘅話一定要多啲香港
If you want to learn Cantonese, you must listen to more Hong Kong radio.
[Lit. If you really have interest study-well Cantonese [conditional delimiter], you then must listen more Hong Kong channel.]
detail 頭盔但係一啲
He's wearing a helmet but it doesn't look good on him at all.
[Lit. He wear-continue one [counter] helmet, however a little bit also not stylish. 一啲都唔[adjective] is a useful construction to mean "not at all..."]
detail 琴日一套但係一啲唔好
I saw a film yesterday, and boy did it suck.
[Lit. I yesterday see-already [counter] film, however one little bit also not good-watch.]
detail 謀殺始終謀殺
Murder is always murder.
detail 首先一般情報
First of all, we have some (new) information.
[Lit. first is one [counter] piece-of-intelligence]
detail 不過大部分只係冇用情報
Most of the reports are useless though.
[Lit. however most also simply are no use [possessive particle] piece-of-intelligence]
detail 今次真係有排煩
Now you've got a whole bunch of problems.
[Lit. This-time you really have unending problems.]
detail 表達可以隨心所欲
He wants to show that he can have his own way.
detail 我哋開始懷疑有可能我哋嗰個殺人狂
We're starting to suspect that he's probably the homicidal maniac we're looking for.
detail 相信已經開始懷疑內鬼原來
I believe he's already started to think that the mole was me all along.
detail 真係扭計成日冇心機
Siu Wing's always kicking up a fuss about studying, he never has any motivation.
[Lit. Siu Wing really unwilling-to-do-work, all-day also no-heart study things. (This is a good example of a phrase that's really tricky to translate directly.)]
detail 科學家科學方法研究
A scientist is someone who does research using scientific methods.
detail 不可一世份人真係大鼻
He thinks he's the best in the world... he's really arrogant.
[second half: he personality really arrogant.]
detail 坦克車履帶戰鬥
A tank is a war machine with caterpillar tracks.
detail 唔係好不過
It's not too urgent but I still need it fast
[Lit. busy then not too busy, however fast do! 有〝你即刻做出嚟〞嘅意思。]
detail 呢個一個開頭光芒芒後尾黑壓壓故事
This is a story that starts out innocently but ends up being very dark.
[Lit. this [counter] is one [counter] start bright, end dark [possessive particle] story]
detail 一部分更加獨立冷氣
In addition, some [apartments] have their own air conditioner.
[Lit. have one portion additionally are equipped-with independent air-con]
detail 真係令人懷念一個世紀之後返嚟
We've really missed you while you've been gone the last 100 years.
[Lit. really make-people very miss-you, one century afterwards again return come [particle] This is being said to someone who's lived several hundred years (specifically Greed from Full Metal Alchemist).]
detail 生意蝕本生意嚟㗎
This venture... is loss-making.
[Lit. this [counter] business is loss-making business [explanatory particle]]
detail 做生意第一就係
If you wanna be a businessman, the first thing you gotta learn is how to play dirty.
[Lit. you want study do business, number one [counter] thing is-exactly study wickedness]
detail 新澤西州到處都係不毛之地
New Jersey is just barren wasteland.
[Lit. New Jersey everywhere also is barren wasteland. Originally the sentence was 死神界到處都是不毛之地, but I gave it a little twist!]
detail 似乎都係畀人
Seems there's nothing I can do to help you so I'm just gonna have to pass the buck on to someone else.
[Further discussion: http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/phorum/read.php?7,84284,111096#msg-111096]
detail 蚊𧕴有可能因為前日公園
There are three bites on my leg... it's probably because I was in the park the day before yesterday.
[Lit. I [counter] leg have three mosquito-bites, very probable is because I day-before-yesterday go park]
detail 其實掟煲但係因為次次所以而家唔敢分手
Actually I really want to break up with her, but I daren't suggest it. Every time I mention it, she bursts into tears.
[Lit. actually I very want with her break-up, however because time-time with her also speak this [counter] matter she cry manner very pitiful, therefore arrive now I not dare with her speak split hand.]
detail 之前監躉
He was in jail before.
[[This is not very polite.]]
detail 嗰個學生唔見咗手機手機重係
That student has lost his mobile phone, and a new one at that.
[重係...添 = at that]
detail 租金,等我,,總共萬一
The rent is, just let me get it right, oh yes, 11,000 dollars altogether.
[The speaker uses some discourse markers to make a reply.]
detail 經濟都會瞓着
Listening to him talk about economics would put anyone to sleep.
detail 健身嗰個細佬
The guy doing the keep-fit exercise is my brother.
[In the Canto version, the noun 'guy' is placed after the verbal phrase which modifies the noun. In the English version, the noun is placed before the phrase.]
detail 打探商業情報先至係參加旅行團真正目的
Spying out business secrets is the true purpose of his joining the tour.
[先至係 (to be really) is always used for emphasis.]
detail 睇起困難但係落去好容易
This task seems quite difficult, but doing it is really easy.
[Aspect markers 起嚟 and 落去 function rather like antonyms, originally meaning "starting to" and "carrying on" respectively. ]
detail audio 今朝關於你嘅裡面見到一齊器械
This morning I had a dream, it was about you. In the dream I saw us playing the equipment together
detail 四月忽然間落場大雪真係五月」!
It suddenly snowed during the end of April. "Until it's time to eat Dragon Boat Festival's dumplings, don't put away your warm clothes," as they say!
[未食五月粽寒衣唔入籠 is a Cantonese saying. There are variations used by Mandarin and other dialects.]
detail 呢啲山路𪙛𠸉㗎喇千祈低波
You must engage low gears when you drive as these mountain roads are very uneven.
detail 係噉落去,
If you keep going on like this, you would lose all your money.
detail 都係比較揸拿好過投資小生意
I am of the view that buying property has more assurance, better than investing in small businesses.
detail audio 經濟衰退成因消費投資資產價格之間平衡
Inequilibrium in expenditure, investment and the prices of assets and properties would cause an economic downturn.
detail 哈薩克斯坦唔係美國人
Borat is from Kazakhstan; he is not an American.
detail 真係好Q!
Seriously, it's so xxx annoying!
detail 根本就係藤㨢瓜瓜㨢藤
These two matters are deeply entangled together. There is no way to separate them apart.
detail 沖涼芝麻綠豆嚟嘅唔好囉唆
That I don't take a bath is such a trifling matter, stop nagging at me here!
detail 甚至有能力不留痕跡情況底下
I have the capability to not leave a trace afterwards.
[E.g. on a computer.]
detail 今日國民教育
What I'm going to talk today is national education.
[所 is used before the first verb 講 to form the first noun phrase 今日所講嘅, indicating that the second noun phrase (國民教育) must be a 'topic'. If 所 is omitted, the second noun phrase could either be a 'topic' or a 'speaker'. ]
detail 直覺話我知
I have a gut feeling that he stole the money.
[The two nouns "feeling" and "money" could be placed ahead of the two pronouns "I" and "he" respectively in the Cantonese version.]

Legend
: This term is used in Mandarin/Standard written Chinese, not Cantonese.  
: This term is used in Cantonese, not Mandarin/Standard written Chinese.
No icon: This term is used in both Cantonese and Mandarin/Standard written Chinese.
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Copyright Adam Sheik 2003-2024.