Expression words

One of the most amazing elements in Cantonese has to be its expressions. It’s very common that even native speakers (including myself) can’t tell you what they really mean. Here’s the list of expression words with the best interpretation.

嚟㗎 lai4 gaa2

• To make a counter statement
• To correct a false statement

"They are actually Americans"
keoi5 hai6 mei5 gwok3 jan4 lai4 gaa2
佢係美國人嚟㗎

啦 laa1

• To be persuasive
• To be defensive

"Please don't mess around"
m4 hou2 waan2 laa1
唔好玩啦

喇 laa3

• To make an announcement
• To inform someone about something

"I have finished my meal"
ngo5 sik6 jyun4 faan6 laa3
我食完飯喇

喎 wo3

• When you realized something
• To make a counter statement

"Right!"
hai6 wo3
係喎

㗎 gaa2

• To express a curiosity
• To get reassurance
• Question form of possessive word

"What is your work timetable like?"
nei5 ge3 gung1 zok3 si4 gaan1 biu2 hai6 dim2 gaa2
你嘅工作時間表係點㗎?

"What is it like?" 
hai6 dim2 gaa2 
係點㗎?

嫁 gaa3

• To make your point clear
• To reiterate something
• Question form of possessive word

"The piece of paper is not mine"
zoeng1 zi2 m4 hai6 ngo5 gaa3
張紙唔係我嫁

嘩 waa1

• To be surprised
• Wow

"Wow. Flowers look beautiful."
waa1 di1 faa1 hou2 leng3
嘩 啲花好靚

哎吔 aai1 jaa1

• Ouch
• Oh no!

"Ouch. Very painful."
aai1 jaa1 hou2 tung3
哎吔 好痛