代詞A1
Basic Pronouns
Personal pronouns in Cantonese
Learning Goal
I can use personal pronouns in basic sentences.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
我係香港人。
I am a Hong Konger.
你叫咩名？
What is your name?
佢哋係我嘅朋友。
They are my friends.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Personal Pronouns 人稱代詞
| Singular | Plural (+哋 dei6) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st person | 我 ngo5 (I) | 我哋 ngo5 dei6 (we) |
| 2nd person | 你 nei5 (you) | 你哋 nei5 dei6 (you all) |
| 3rd person | 佢 keoi5 (he/she/it) | 佢哋 keoi5 dei6 (they) |
Key points:
- No gender distinction: 佢 means he, she, AND it
- Plural is formed by adding 哋 dei6 — extremely regular
- No case changes (no "me" vs "I" distinction)
Looking for he/she/it distinction — 佢 covers all.
我係香港人。
I am a Hong Konger.
ngo5 hai6 hoeng1 gong2 jan4 — 我 (I) + 係 (am) + 香港人 (Hong Kong person).
你叫咩名？
What is your name?
nei5 giu3 me1 meng2 — 你 (you) + 叫 (called) + 咩 (what) + 名 (name).
佢哋係我嘅朋友。
They are my friends.
keoi5 dei6 hai6 ngo5 ge3 pang4 jau5 — 佢哋 (they) + 係 (are) + 我嘅 (my) + 朋友 (friends).
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises