Latest / Learn Cantonese with Fexingo / Cantonese Verbs: Eat, Drink, Go
Transcript
- Lucas: Welcome back to Learn Cantonese with Fexingo! Episode 20 already — can you believe it? Luna: I know! I feel like I can actually say a few things now. But I'm ready for more. Lucas: Then today is perfect. We're going to learn three super useful verbs: eat, drink, and go. Luna: Oh, those are exactly what I need! I love eating and drinking. Lucas: Right? Let's start with 'eat'. In Cantonese, it's 'sik6' — but the written character is 食. Luna: Sik6. Can you say it slowly? Lucas: Sure. Sik6. It's a sharp tone — the sixth tone. Sik6. Luna: Sik6. Hmm... sik6. That feels a bit abrupt. Lucas: Exactly. Keep it short. Sik6. Now, to say 'I want to eat', we say 'ngo5 soeng2 sik6' — 我想食. Luna: Ngo5 soeng2 sik6. Lucas: Perfect! 'Ngo5' is 'I', 'soeng2' is 'want'. So 我想食 is 'I want to eat.' Luna: That's so handy. I can already imagine saying that at a restaurant. Lucas: Exactly. Let's try it in a little scene. Imagine we're hungry. Luna, what do you say? Luna: Uhh... 我想食. Luna: Jam2. That sounds like 'jam' but with a different tone. Lucas: Exactly! Second tone — rising. Jam2. So 'I want to drink' is 'ngo5 soeng2 jam2' — 我想飲. Luna: Ngo5 soeng2 jam2. I can totally say that when I'm thirsty. Lucas: Right. Now, our third verb: 'go'. In Cantonese, it's 'heoi3' — 去. Luna: Heoi3. That one's a bit tricky. Can you say it again? Lucas: Heoi3. The 'h' is soft, like a light exhale. Heoi3. Luna: Heoi3. Heoi3. Okay, I think I've got it. Lucas: Great! Now, to say 'let's go', we say 'ngo5dei6 heoi3' — 我哋去. 'Ngo5dei6' means 'we'. Luna: Ngo5dei6 heoi3. So that's like 'we go' or 'let's go'. Lucas: Exactly. Let's practice all three in a little conversation. I'll start: 'Ngo5 soeng2 sik6.' Luna: Okay, I'll respond. 'Ngo5 soeng2 jam2.' Lucas: Love it! And then I say 'Ngo5dei6 heoi3!' — let's go! Luna: Ngo5dei6 heoi3! Perfect. Oh, that feels like a real mini-conversation. Lucas: Yes! And you can use these anywhere. Let's do a quick review. How do you say 'eat'? Luna: Sik6. Lucas: Drink? Luna: Jam2. Lucas: Go? Luna: Heoi3. Lucas: I want to eat? Luna: Ngo5 soeng2 sik6. Lucas: I want to drink? Luna: Ngo5 soeng2 jam2. Lucas: Let's go? Luna: Ngo5dei6 heoi3. Lucas: Excellent! You've got it. Let's do a quick story. Imagine we're at a market. I say 'Ngo5 soeng2 sik6.' What do you say? Luna: Ngo5 soeng2 jam2. Lucas: And then we both say 'Ngo5dei6 heoi3!' — and we go find food and drinks. Luna: That's cute. I can already use this with my friends. Lucas: That's the goal! Practice these phrases today. Say them out loud when you're hungry or thirsty. Luna: I will. Thanks Lucas! This was super useful. Lucas: You're welcome! And thanks to Fexingo for making this possible. Keep practicing, and we'll see you next time. Bye bye! Luna: 拜拜!