How to Say Good Morning in Canton

When learning a new language, greetings are often the first phrases we master. In Cantonese, you might already know how to say 你好 (nei5 hou2) to greet someone. But what if you want to be more specific and greet someone according to the time of day? For instance, how do you say “Good Morning” in Cantonese?¹ Understanding these time-specific greetings can help you sound more natural and polite in your conversations. In this blog post, we’ll explore various Cantonese greetings for different times of the day, enhancing your language skills and making your interactions more engaging and authentic. Let’s dive into the world of Cantonese greetings and learn how to start your day with a friendly 早晨 (zou2 san4)!

Like most languages, Cantonese has three different greetings throughout the day, in the morning, at noon, and at night.

The Early Bird Greeting in Canton 早晨 zou2 san4

This is a very straightforward morning greeting. You can say 早晨 zou2 san4 when the sunrises up until before noon. If you are in Hong Kong, you will greet others in the elevator, at your apartment complex. At work, you can also greet your coworkers or bosses 早晨 zou2 san4. There isn’t a question of formality and you can use it to greet anyone in the morning.

Listen to the audio track below to learn the pronunciation in Cantonese

What is “Good Afternoon” in Canton 午安 ng5 ngon1

Unlike Chinese Mandarin 下午好 xià wǔ hǎo, there is no “Good afternoon” in Cantonese. The closest phrase is 午安 ng5 ngon1, it iterally translates as “good noon,” which you will greet others around noon or lunchtime. But it is still very uncommon to say 午安 ng5 ngon1 to others. So it’s better to just say 你好 nei5 hou2 “Hello.”

Listen to the audio track below to learn the pronunciation in Cantonese

To say “Goodnight” in Canton 晚安 maan5 ngon1

“Goodnight” should be the closing statement of the day. When you are about to say “Goodbye” after dinner.

Alternatively, you can also say 早唞 zou2 tau2 instead of 晚安 maan5 ngon1 for “good night.”

Listen to the audio track below to learn the pronunciation in Cantonese

Conclusion

These phrases are important for you to navigate in the world of Cantonese speakers. Learning how to greet someone in Cantonese is a fantastic first step in your language journey. By mastering phrases like 早晨 zou2 san4 “Good Morning” and 早唞 zou2 tau2 “Goodnight,” you’re not only showing respect for the culture but also opening doors to deeper connections with Cantonese speakers. Keep practicing these greetings, and soon you’ll find yourself more confident and ready to explore even more of this rich and vibrant language. Happy learning and don’t forget to follow us on instagram! You can also find our videos on YouTube.