🙋Pronouns & Verbs
Common Cantonese Verbs and Their Usage for English Learners
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Why Learn Common Cantonese Verbs?
Learning common verbs in Cantonese is essential because they form the backbone of everyday conversations. Mastery of these verbs can dramatically improve your ability to express actions, ideas, and connect with Cantonese speakers.
List of Common Cantonese Verbs
食 (sik6)
Eat
飲 (jam2)
Drink
去 (heoi3)
Go
嚟 (lai4)
Come
睇 (tai2)
See
有 (jau5)
Have
知道 (zi1 dou3)
Know
Verb Usage in Sentences
To effectively use verbs in Cantonese, it is crucial to understand their placement and conjugation within sentences. Here's how you can form simple sentences with the verbs listed above.
Using Verbs in Everyday Cantonese
我食飯。 (ngo5 sik6 faan6)
I eat rice.
佢飲水。 (keoi5 jam2 seoi2)
She drinks water.
佢地去公園。 (keoi5 dei6 heoi3 gung1 jyun2)
They go to the park.
Tips for Practicing Cantonese Verbs
Practice makes perfect! Here are some tips to help you incorporate common verbs into your daily routine:
- Flashcards: Create flashcards with the verb in Cantonese on one side and the English translation on the other.
- Daily Practice: Use a new verb each day in a sentence.
- Language Exchange: Pair up with a native speaker to practice speaking and receiving feedback.
Further Reading
- Omniglot - Useful Cantonese Phrases
Explore more useful phrases in Cantonese.
- Transparent Language Blog - Cantonese Verbs
Dive deeper into Cantonese verbs and their conjugations.
- Fluent in 3 Months - Cantonese Pronunciation Guide
Improve your Cantonese pronunciation with this guide.