How to Say Please in Cantonese

There are two words that means "Please" in Cantonese:

1. 請 （ 请 ）    (this may also mean ask or invite)
2. 唔该    (this phrase can also mean "Thank you". Literately it means "not deserved" or "should not (bother you). "  )

We can use them interchangeably.   The first form is more formal.

Examples:

1. Please open your books:   請打開你嘅書。cing²Â daa²Â hoi¹Â nei⁵ ge³Â syu¹

2. Please say that again （once more ）:  唔该你讲多一次。 m⁴ goi¹Â nei⁵ gong²Â do¹Â jat¹Â ci³

or we can also say  請你讲多一次。cing²nei⁵ gong²Â do¹Â jat¹Â ci³

3. Could you say that again, please?:  唔该你可唔可以讲多一次?  m⁴ goi¹Â nei⁵ ho²Â m⁴ ho²Â ji⁵ gong²Â do¹Â jat¹Â ci³

or we can say: 可唔可以請你讲多一次?     ho²Â m⁴ ho²Â ji⁵ cing²nei⁵gong²Â do¹Â jat¹Â ci³

可以 = can ; could

可唔可以 = could or could not; can or cannot

Other Usage of è«‹

• 邀請   verb.   invite    ;  noun.  invitation.
  e.g.   May I ask/invite you to come to my home?
  我可唔可以邀請你來我屋企。ngo⁵ ho²Â m⁴ ho²Â ji⁵ jiu¹Â cing²Â nei⁵ loi⁴ ngo⁵ nguk¹Â kei⁵
• 請假  ask for leave
  e.g. 我想請（病）假   I want to ask for (sick) leave.  ngo⁵ soeng²Â cing²Â beng⁶ gaa³
  ç—… = sick
• 請問  Could you please tell (me/us) ..?
  e.g.  Could you tell me where is the toilet?  請問廁所喺邊度?   cing²Â man⁶ ci³Â so²Â hai²Â bin¹Â dou^{6
  ... 喺邊度?  = where is ... ?}