Easy Guide: Learn To Count In Cantonese (Hong Kong)

Nov 17, 2025 by Alex Braham 52 views

Hey guys! Ever wanted to learn how to count in Cantonese, the language spoken in Hong Kong? It's easier than you think, and it can be super useful whether you're planning a trip, connecting with friends, or just expanding your language skills. This guide breaks down the numbers in a simple, step-by-step way, so you'll be counting like a pro in no time! Let's dive in!

Why Learn to Count in Cantonese?

First off, why bother learning to count in Cantonese? Well, there are tons of great reasons. For starters, it's a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the culture. Numbers are everywhere – from shopping and dining to telling time and giving directions. Knowing how to count will make your interactions smoother and more authentic.

Plus, learning a new language, even just the basics, is a great way to keep your brain sharp. It improves your memory, boosts your problem-solving skills, and even makes you more creative. And let's be honest, impressing your friends with your newfound Cantonese skills is pretty cool too! So, buckle up, and let's get started on this fun linguistic adventure. You'll be surprised how quickly you pick it up!

The Basic Numbers: 1 to 10

Okay, let's start with the basics. These are the building blocks for all the bigger numbers, so it's important to get them down. Here are the numbers from 1 to 10 in Cantonese, along with their pronunciations (using a simplified system to make it easier):

1: 一 (yat)
2: 二 (yi)
3: 三 (saam)
4: 四 (sei)
5: 五 (ng)
6: 六 (luk)
7: 七 (chat)
8: 八 (baat)
9: 九 (gau)
10: 十 (sap)

Pronunciation Tips:

Yat is pronounced like "yaht" in yacht.
Yi sounds like "ee" in see.
Saam is similar to "sahm" but with a higher tone.
Sei is pronounced like "say" but shorter.
Ng can be tricky for English speakers. It's the "ng" sound as in "sing".
Luk sounds like "look" but with a slightly harder "k" at the end.
Chat is similar to "chaht".
Baat sounds like "baht".
Gau is pronounced like "gow" in cow.
Sap sounds like "sahp".

Practice saying these numbers out loud a few times. The more you repeat them, the easier they'll become. Don't worry if you don't get the tones perfect right away – just focus on getting the basic sounds down. You've got this!

Counting from 11 to 20

Now that you've mastered the numbers 1 to 10, let's move on to the teens. This is where it gets interesting! In Cantonese, the numbers 11 to 19 are formed by combining "10" (十, sap) with the numbers 1 to 9. It's like saying "ten-one," "ten-two," and so on.

Here's how it works:

11: 十一 (sap yat) – ten one
12: 十二 (sap yi) – ten two
13: 十三 (sap saam) – ten three
14: 十四 (sap sei) – ten four
15: 十五 (sap ng) – ten five
16: 十六 (sap luk) – ten six
17: 十七 (sap chat) – ten seven
18: 十八 (sap baat) – ten eight
19: 十九 (sap gau) – ten nine

So, to say 11, you literally say "ten one" (sap yat). To say 15, you say "ten five" (sap ng), and so on. Pretty straightforward, right? Keep practicing, and you'll be counting to 19 like a natural.

Now, what about 20? Twenty in Cantonese is 二十 (yi sap), which literally means "two ten". This pattern will be useful as we move on to bigger numbers.

Counting in Tens: 20, 30, 40, and Beyond

Alright, let's tackle counting in tens. Just like how you learned that 20 is "two ten" (yi sap), the other tens follow a similar pattern. You simply combine the number (2 to 9) with "ten" (十, sap).

Here's a breakdown:

20: 二十 (yi sap) – two ten
30: 三十 (saam sap) – three ten
40: 四十 (sei sap) – four ten
50: 五十 (ng sap) – five ten
60: 六十 (luk sap) – six ten
70: 七十 (chat sap) – seven ten
80: 八十 (baat sap) – eight ten
90: 九十 (gau sap) – nine ten

Putting it Together:

Now, let's say you want to say 25. You would combine "two ten" (yi sap) with "five" (ng). So, 25 is 二十五 (yi sap ng).

Similarly:

32: 三十二 (saam sap yi) – thirty-two
48: 四十八 (sei sap baat) – forty-eight
59: 五十九 (ng sap gau) – fifty-nine

See how it works? You just combine the tens and the ones. Keep practicing, and you'll get the hang of it in no time!

Hundreds and Thousands

Ready to go even bigger? Let's learn how to say hundreds and thousands in Cantonese. This might seem a little intimidating, but don't worry, we'll break it down into manageable chunks.

Hundred: 百 (baak)
Thousand: 千 (chin)

Forming Numbers:

To say a specific number of hundreds or thousands, you put the number in front of 百 (baak) or 千 (chin).

100: 一百 (yat baak) – one hundred
200: 二百 (yi baak) – two hundred
1,000: 一千 (yat chin) – one thousand
2,000: 二千 (yi chin) – two thousand

Combining Hundreds, Tens, and Ones:

This is where it gets a little more complex, but stay with me! Let's try saying 125. You would say 一百二十五 (yat baak yi sap ng) – one hundred, two ten, five.

Here are a few more examples:

342: 三百四十二 (saam baak sei sap yi) – three hundred, four ten, two
589: 五百八十九 (ng baak baat sap gau) – five hundred, eight ten, nine
1,367: 一千三百六十七 (yat chin saam baak luk sap chat) – one thousand, three hundred, six ten, seven

Important Note: When there's a zero in the tens or ones place, you need to include a "zero" (零, ling) to hold the place.

105: 一百零五 (yat baak ling ng) – one hundred, zero, five
230: 二百三零 (yi baak saam ling) – two hundred, three ten, zero

Keep practicing these combinations, and you'll be counting in hundreds and thousands like a pro!

Common Phrases Using Numbers

Knowing how to count is great, but it's even more useful when you can use numbers in everyday phrases. Here are a few common phrases that you might find helpful:

What time is it?: 幾點？ (gei dim?) – dim means "o'clock."
I want one of these: 我要一個 (ngo yiu yat go) – yat go means "one of."
How much is it?: 幾多錢？ (gei do chin?) – chin means "money."
Call me at 5 o'clock: 五點打俾我 (ng dim daa bei ngo) – ng dim means "five o'clock."

By learning these phrases, you can start using your newfound counting skills in real-life situations. Don't be afraid to try them out – even if you make mistakes, people will appreciate your effort to speak Cantonese!

Tips for Practicing and Remembering

Okay, you've learned the basics of counting in Cantonese, but how do you make sure it sticks? Here are some tips for practicing and remembering what you've learned:

Use Flashcards: Create flashcards with the numbers on one side and the Cantonese words on the other. This is a great way to drill yourself and memorize the vocabulary.
Practice Regularly: Set aside a few minutes each day to practice counting. Consistency is key when learning a new language.
Listen to Cantonese Music and Podcasts: Immerse yourself in the language by listening to Cantonese music and podcasts. This will help you get used to the sounds and rhythms of the language.
Watch Cantonese Movies and TV Shows: Watching movies and TV shows in Cantonese can be a fun way to improve your listening comprehension and vocabulary.
Find a Language Partner: If possible, find a language partner who speaks Cantonese. This will give you the opportunity to practice speaking and get feedback on your pronunciation.
Use Language Learning Apps: There are many great language learning apps that can help you practice counting in Cantonese. Some popular options include Memrise and Anki.
Label Things Around Your House: Label everyday objects around your house with their Cantonese names. This will help you associate the words with the objects and improve your vocabulary.

Conclusion

So there you have it – a beginner's guide to counting in Cantonese! It might seem like a lot to take in at first, but with practice and persistence, you'll be counting like a local in no time. Remember to start with the basics, practice regularly, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Learning a new language is a journey, and every step you take is a step in the right direction. 加油 (gaa jau) – add oil! (Keep going!)

Now that you know how to count, go out there and start using your new skills. Whether you're ordering food, asking for directions, or just chatting with friends, knowing how to count in Cantonese will definitely come in handy. Happy counting!