Important Cantonese Single Verbs

Learning Cantonese can be a rewarding experience, especially when you start mastering the essential verbs that form the backbone of everyday communication. In this article, we delve into a list of important single verbs in Cantonese, providing you with the tools to enhance your vocabulary and improve your fluency. Whether you’re cutting vegetables, reading a book, or opening a door, these verbs will help you navigate various daily activities with ease. Let’s explore these fundamental verbs and see how they can enrich your Cantonese language skills.

切 cit3 – To cut

• 菜 coi3 – vegetable

讀 duk6 – To read (Study)

• 書 syu1 – book

畫 waak6 – To paint

• 畫 waa2 – painting
• 公仔 gung1 zai2 – cartoon character

打 daa2 – To hit

• 機 gei1 – machine (literally means to play video games)
• 波 bo1 – ball (literally means to play ball games)

開 hoi1 – To open

• 門 mun4 – door
• 鑵頭 gun3 tau4 – can (food)

閂 saan1 – To close

• 門 mun4 – door (it also means when the shop is closed)

執 zap1 – To clean up

• 屋 uk1  – house
• 行李 hang4 lei5 – luggage (to pack luggage)

落 lok6 – To go down

• 車 ce1 –  car (to get off the car)
• 船 syun4 – boat (to get off the car)
• 樓梯 lau4 tai1 – stairs

Conclusion

Learning Cantonese can be a rewarding experience, opening doors to a rich culture and vibrant community. By mastering these essential verbs, you’ll be well on your way to communicating more effectively in everyday situations. Remember, practice makes perfect, so keep using these verbs in your daily conversations. Happy learning and don’t forget to follow us on Instagram and check our YouTube Channel for useful learning resources.