What is Good Morning in Cantonese

You’ve probably learned how to say 你好 nei5 hou2 in Cantonese to greet people, but what about greetings at a specific time, such as “Good Morning?”

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

“Good morning”

早晨 zou2 san4

[zoomsounds_player songname=”早晨 zou2 san4 – Good morning” config=”sample–skin-wave-with-multisharer-button-and-embed” type=”detect” source=”https://thefluentlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/早晨.m4a” autoplay=”off” loop=”off” play_in_footer_player=”default” enable_download_button=”off” enable_downloads_counter=”off” download_custom_link_enable=”off” open_in_ultibox=”off”]

There is no “Good afternoon” in Cantonese. The closest is ng5 ngon1 午安, which you will greet others around noon or lunchtime.

“Good Noon”

午安 ng5 ngon1

[zoomsounds_player songname=”午安 ng5 ngon1 – Good Noon” config=”sample–skin-wave-with-multisharer-button-and-embed” type=”detect” source=”https://thefluentlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/午安.m4a” autoplay=”off” loop=”off” play_in_footer_player=”default” enable_download_button=”off” enable_downloads_counter=”off” download_custom_link_enable=”off” open_in_ultibox=”off”]

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

“Good Noon”

晚安 maan5 ngon1

[zoomsounds_player songname=”晚安 maan5 ngon1 – Goodnight” config=”sample–skin-wave-with-multisharer-button-and-embed” type=”detect” source=”https://thefluentlab.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/晚安.m4a” autoplay=”off” loop=”off” play_in_footer_player=”default” enable_download_button=”off” enable_downloads_counter=”off” download_custom_link_enable=”off” open_in_ultibox=”off”]

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