Sunday, March 16, 2008

Phrases To Impress

Yes thanks for the comment, Ninja, that repetition can drive you crazy. In fact, since I have been learning cantonese, I have found myself, at times, speaking cantonese (subconsciously) to myself and even talking to people in cantonese who are not chinese and do not understand any Cantonese!!! I have also found my normal everyday English suffering due to the different grammatical structures. Maybe these are the signs of my impending insanity - all caused, as you say, by constant repetition!

My summary of the whole situation is this: "Cantonese is freakin damn difficult! It is POOP CAY! All I can say is take your time! Try learning a few words each conversation you have. Furthermore, try learning some phrases that will quickly impress even though you have minimal knowledge of useful words. This later advice is for the person who just wants to impress others without the pain of having to learn alot of cantonese. I can only try to relate to such a person!!!! (please note the sarcasm of the previous statement!)

Ok now for some of these canto phrases:
1. Hou sum jok lui peck = good heart gets struck by lightning
(means something like: "There is no point doin good deeds, they're never appreciated anyway!" or "Do a good deed and get slapped in the face for it!")

2. Leng doh bao keng = so pretty the mirror shatters
Leng doh lau howl sou = so pretty i'm drooling
Leng doh pung pang seng = so pretty (bang bang) - I think the pung pang is a gunshot sound?
*basically all these phrases mean the same thing 'your so pretty!'
3. Bowl dinn waa chook = simmering telephone porridge
(porridge takes a long time to cook and hence I think this saying means "you are talking forever on the phone")
4. Hou loi mow kin = long time no see (lit.)
5. Whats wrong? = Mei si a?
6. Whats up? = Dim a?
7. Say something! = Gong ye la (it follows mei si a really well)
8. Don't worry = M gan yiew (to be used in normal situations - lit means 'not important')
9. Don't worry = Fong sum (lit. means let go of heart burden - prob use this one when more emotions are involved to reassure someone)
10. Forget about it = Shun a
11. Excuse me = M hou yee see a (lit. means 'has no meaning')
12. Have no time = Mow si garn
13. Whatever! = See Darn a! (shrug your shoulders for full effect!)
14. You're Crazy! = Nei chee sinn
15. Silly Girl/Boy! = Sorr Lui/Chay

Monday, February 18, 2008

Working like a Dog

Hello pung yaus, this lesson is for all of you out there who is working for the man! (or woman)

Gee lately I've been flat out at work - my day comprises of keeping other people happy (doctors, nurses, relatives, patients, relatives etc. How did our lives become this? We used to be nomadic barbarians who hunted and gathered, living our lives in freedom. But now we've evolved into some office sitting, coffee sipping, computer typing, telephone answering, photocopying, paperworking people!!

There is one good thing about this daily repetitious working lifestyle - "repetition" will make it easier for us to learn the cantonese words that describe our jobs! Sorry thats the only positive thing I can think of with respect to the repetitive nature of our occupations - unless your saving the world (e.g. you're working towards a cure for cancer and you've almost got it).

So here are today's words:
Working like a dog = jou do ho si ge jek gou a!!!
Boss, what are you talking about? = lau ban / lau xay, nei gong mut ye a?
I don't like Mondays = bai yut (then shake head and sigh) - all about attitude here :)
I looooooooove Fridays = bai m a!!! (YAY! and have a huge grin :)
I want to go home = ngo seung faan 'ook kei' (home)
I feel sick = ngo yau beng (I am sick)
I need a beer = ngo seung yum b chau
I need alcohol = ngo seung yum chau (hong chau = red wine, baak jau = white wine)
I NEEEED a coffee = ngo SUI YIEW yum ka fe a!
Hospital = yi yuen
Crazy Patient = beng yun
Crazy Relatives (of patients) = beng yun ge 'ook kei yun' (family)
Physiotherapist = mut li che liu si
Nurse = woo si
Pharmacist = yerk si
Computer = diin noow
Telephone = diin wa
Receptionist = bei shoo
I hope I win the lottery = ngo hei mong ngo wooi jong 'look hap choi' (lottery) la!
See you tomorrow = teng yut kin
Bye Bye = 'joi kin' or 'bai bai'

Saturday, February 16, 2008

Nice stuff to say to the ladies

Thanks Tuey for your inquiry of how to say biattttchh!! Well normally i'm not one to swear but when learning a new language I think it essential to know a few back up words - cos ppl gonna swear at you behind your back and at least you can know that and say "nei hay ba po" which means "you are a bitch".

Nah seriously today's lesson is about compliments and non-compliments (i.e. put downs). I think theses are essential for getting along with people and thats what i'm about - but its also good to have a few negative compliments for those people who deserve it.

So here's a few random phrases for you to ponder:
hou leng = good looking (you can extend the houuuuuuuuuuuuuu to add more emphasis)
m cho = not bad
mow cho = your right
hou hern = smell good
hou sik = delicious
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa = woooooh mamaaaaaaa
leng lui = pretty girl
ngo hou pung yau = my good friend
lui pung yau = my girlfriend
ngo tai tai = my wife
nei chee sinn = you're crazy
gee see = selfish
ba po = (dont say this!)
xxxxxx = learn it yourself

Chaps concentrate on the positives and all will go well with you!

Choi Kin Leng Lui, Leng Chays

Friday, February 15, 2008

Beef Noodle Soup - Pho

Leng lui, leng chays - dim a?

Before we get started on new words, I just want to respond to the comment that "conversation is the best way to learn cantonese (thanks Ninja ba po!)"

I totally agree but add that repetition is important so as you are practicing the language you will need to write down the words you learn - and what better way than via alphabetical pinyin - if anyone can think of a better way of recording new words then I am definitely open to suggestions!

Now onto today's topic: eating pho (beef noodle soup) - one of my favourite past times! So what words would I need to know when eating out somewhere in Hong Kong?

1. Ngo siew yiew yum kafe m goi? I need a coffee please
2. Yut gor pho m goi? One bowl of pho please
3. Li gor hou sik! This is delicious
4. Ngo bow! I am full
5. Ngo yi ga hoi sum! I am happy (content) now!

Other useful words:
ping go jup = apple juice
chang jup = orange juice
cha = tea
b chau = beer
chau = wine
kafe = coffee

Choi kin my pung yaus (friends)!

Leng Chay, Leng Lui

Hello my name is Phil and this is my blog about the journey of learning Cantonese from scratch.

Firstly let me introduce myself - I am Australian and English is my first language. My motivation to learn Cantonese is so that I can speak to my sister and her family in Hong Kong. As a English speaker, I have to say that learning Cantonese is difficult. What has helped me the most is writing down Cantonese words in a form of "pinyin" alphabetical language - and although there seems to be no official pinyin for Cantonese, I believe it is good practice to write down what you hear and the only way I can do that is via a made-up pinyin. Anyway - you choose for yourself whether such a technique will help you.

The first words I have learned in Cantonese is Leng Chay and Leng Lui which means 'handsome' and 'beautiful' respectively. These words are very common greetings in Hong Kong and can be used in as alternatives to normal address like Mr, Mrs, Ms etc. For example, "leng chay, can i have a glass of sou (water) m goi (please)". This would be a normal way of asking a waiter for a glass of water. These first words have been very beneficial to me as they were great conversation starters.

Today was just a taste of what future lessons will be about. I wish you the best for your Cantonese learning endeavours. See you next time for more Cantonese words.

Choi Kin, Leng Chay Phil