Cantonese is a Chinese dialect spoken by over 60 million people worldwide. It is the native language of Hong Kong and Macau, and is also spoken in Guangdong province in mainland China. Cantonese is a tonal language, meaning that the meaning of a word can change depending on the tone of voice used.
The word for “half” in Cantonese is “ban1”. It is pronounced with a high, level tone.
Here are some examples of how to use “ban1” in a sentence:
- “Ngo5 ban1 go3 gwai2” means “I ate half of the cake.”
- “Ngo5 ban1 go3 si2” means “I drank half of the tea.”
- “Ngo5 ban1 go3 giu3” means “I spent half of the money.”
Tips for Pronouncing “Half” in Cantonese
Here are some tips for pronouncing “ban1” correctly:
- Start with the “b” sound.
- Make sure the “a” sound is pronounced with a high, level tone.
- Do not pronounce the “n” sound at the end of the word.
Variations of “Half” in Cantonese
There are a few variations of the word “half” in Cantonese, depending on the context in which it is used.
- ban1 go3 – This is the most common way to say “half” in Cantonese. It is used in most situations.
- ji1 ban1 – This means “half a portion”. It is used when you are talking about food or drink.
- ban1 liu4 – This means “half a day”. It is used when you are talking about time.
- ban1 gong1 – This means “half a month”. It is used when you are talking about time.
- ban1 nin4 – This means “half a year”. It is used when you are talking about time.
Conclusion
Now that you know how to say “half” in Cantonese, you can use it to communicate with Cantonese speakers around the world. Just remember to practice your pronunciation so that you can be understood clearly.
