Guidelines for Use January 2007 RDNS 1 of 6
Introduction to Chinese Written and Chinese Spoken - Cantonese CANTONESE The written form of the Chinese language is based on characters of square shape (such as ), not an alphabet. Chinese characters do not represent sounds. A Chinese character can be pronounced in many different ways in different Chinese dialects. Pronunciations of different Chinese dialects are so varied that Chinese people speaking different dialects often cannot communicate amongst themselves orally. Cantonese, being spoken by a lot of Australian Chinese and people in Hong Kong, is one of these Chinese dialects. The Chinese language is a tonal language. One pronunciation usually has seven tones to represent different characters, and different meanings, in Cantonese. Tones are slightly different stresses of pronouncing characters. However, there seems to be no simple way to correctly indicate tones of characters in a sentence. Please be informed the following issues in using the workplace words and phrases: In : we say Mr. Wang and Mrs. Wang. But we should say in a different word order in Cantonese, such as (Wang Mr. ) and (Wang Mrs.). Good Afternoon is a written expression of greetings in Cantonese. Therefore, we just say Hello instead of Good Afternoon. RDNS January 2007 Page 2 of 6
Topic 1: GREETINGS Chinese Closest Pronunciation in Hello Good morning Good afternoon * Good evening Good night What is your name? I am a nurse My name is Ley ho Jo sun Ley ho Mahn seung ho Mahn on Ley giu mutt meng? Or hai woo si Or gay merng hai Mr / Mrs... /... sin sanng / tai tai I am happy to si you again No Yes Good Do you understand me? I understand I don t understand you Do you need an interpreter? I need an interpreter Ho hoy sum yow gin doh lay la Mm hai hai ho Ley teng duck ming or gong gay wa ma? Or teng duck ming Or teng mm ming ley gong gay wa Ley soi yiu chuen yerk yoon ma? Or soi yiu chuen yerk yoon RDNS January 2007 Page 3 of 6
Topic 2: MAKING / CHANGING APPOINTMENTS Chinese Closest Pronunciation in What day can I visit you? At what time? Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Morning Noon Afternoon Evening / Night Or hor yee hai seng kei gei lay tahm ley? Mutt yeh si gan ley? Seng kei yutt Seng kei yee Seng kei sum Seng kei say Seng kei mm Seng kei lok Seng kei yat Seung mm Jong mm Ha mm Mahn seung I need to Or yiu Make a phone call Da din wa Speak Da din wa bei to your doctor to your family to your son to your daughter to your husband to your wife to your brother to your sister I need to change our visit time Ley gay yee sanng Ley gay gar yan Ley gay jay Ley gay loi Ley gay sin sanng Ley gay tai tai Ley gay heng die Ley gay zi mui Or yiu goi or dei gay tahm fong si gahn RDNS January 2007 Page 4 of 6
Topic 3: MEDICAL PROBLEMS Chinese Closest Pronunciation in How are you? Where does it hurt? The chemist will bring your tablets this afternoon / tomorrow Ley ho ma? Bin doe yau mang tai? / Gum yat ha mm / teng yat yerk jai si wooi dye yolk bei ley Show me the medications that you are taking I want you to take your medicine Can you get yourself some water? Bei or tei ha lei sic gay yolk Ley yiu sic yolk sin duck Ley nung zi gay lor shui ma? I need to Or yiu Check your blood pressure Take your pulse Change your dressing Gim cha ley gay hute art Gim cha ley gay muck bok Tong ley woon yerk Ambulance Doctor Medicine Are you constipated? Do you have diabetes? Gow woo che Yee sanng Yolk Ley yuw mow or si mm chut Ley yuw mow tong liu beng? RDNS Jauuary 2007 Page 5 of 6
Topic 4: FAREWELL Chinese Closest Pronunciation in You can ring me on. Thank you I m pleased to have met you You are welcome Good - bye Keep well... Ley hor yee dar din wa bei or, din wa ho ma hey Dor jay Kin doh ley ho hoy sum Mm sey hark hey Joy kin Bow jong Take care / All the best / Good luck / / Bow jong / jok ley yeng yeng dowe gom ho / jok ley ho won RDNS January 2007 Page 6 of 6