# How to Say Excuse Me in Cantonese (With Pronunciation) > Learn how to say excuse me in Cantonese with 唔該 (m goi), 不好意思, and more. Get pronunciation tips, context usage, and real examples for Hong Kong travel. **URL:** https://migaku.com/blog/chinese/excuse-me-in-cantonese **Last Updated:** 2026-04-06 **Tags:** vocabulary, phrases --- If you're heading to Hong Kong or planning to interact with Cantonese speakers, knowing how to say "excuse me" is basically essential. The thing is, Cantonese doesn't have just one translation for "excuse me." You'll use different phrases depending on whether you're squeezing past someone on the MTR, getting a waiter's attention, or apologizing for bumping into someone. Pretty cool how context shapes the language, right? Let's break down exactly which phrase to use and when. ## The main phrase: 唔該 (m goi) This is your go-to phrase for most "excuse me" situations in Cantonese. 唔該 (m goi) is incredibly versatile and you'll hear it constantly in Hong Kong. The pronunciation is "m goi" where the "m" is a humming sound with your lips closed, kind of like you're saying "mmm" but shorter. The "goi" rhymes with "boy" but with a hard "g" sound. The tone goes from mid to high on "m" and rises on "goi." Here's where you'd use 唔該: When you need to get past someone in a crowded space. You're on a packed MTR train and need to squeeze through to the exit? Just say "唔該" and people will move aside. Getting someone's attention for service. At a restaurant when you want to call the waiter over, you'd say "唔該" to get their attention. Asking someone to pass you something. If you need someone to hand you the soy sauce at a dim sum table, "唔該" works perfectly. Saying thank you for a service. Yep, 唔該 also means "thank you" when someone does something for you, like holding a door or handing you change. The context makes it clear whether you're saying "excuse me" or "thank you." ## When you need to apologize: 不好意思 (m hou yi si) Sometimes "excuse me" carries more of an apologetic tone, like when you've actually inconvenienced someone or need to interrupt. That's when 不好意思 (m hou yi si) comes in handy. The pronunciation breaks down as "m hou yi si." The "m" is that same humming sound, "hou" sounds like "hoe," "yi" like "yee," and "si" like "see." It literally translates to "not good meaning" or "embarrassed." You'd use this phrase when: You bump into someone accidentally. If you knock into someone on the street, 不好意思 shows you're genuinely apologetic. You need to interrupt a conversation. When you have to cut into what someone's saying, this phrase is more polite than just 唔該. You're asking for a favor that might inconvenience someone. Like if you need to ask a stranger for directions when they look busy. The cool thing about 不好意思 is that it works in both Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese with the same characters, though the pronunciation differs. In Mandarin, it's "bu hao yi si." ## For quick passages: 借借 (ze ze) or 借過 (ze gwo) When you're in a real hurry and need to get through a crowd fast, Cantonese speakers often use 借借 (ze ze) or 借過 (ze gwo). 借借 literally means "borrow borrow" and it's super casual. The pronunciation is "ze ze" where "ze" rhymes with "yeah" but with a "z" sound. You'd use this when you're rushing through a tight space and need people to move quickly. 借過 means "borrow passage" and is slightly more complete. "Ze gwo" where "gwo" sounds like "gwor." This one's a bit more polite than just 借借 but still casual enough for everyday use. Both phrases work great on public transport, in markets, or anywhere crowded where you need to navigate through people efficiently. ## How do Chinese people actually use these phrases? Yeah, Chinese people definitely say "excuse me," but the cultural context is a bit different from Western countries. In Hong Kong specifically, people use these phrases constantly because the city is so densely populated. You can't get through a day without saying 唔該 at least a dozen times. The frequency and style might differ from what you're used to. In some mainland Chinese cities, people might be less likely to say excuse me in crowded situations, but in Hong Kong and Guangdong province where Cantonese is spoken, politeness phrases like 唔該 are deeply embedded in daily interactions. One thing I've noticed is that the tone matters just as much as the word itself. You can say 唔該 quickly and casually when squeezing past someone, or draw it out slightly when you're trying to get a waiter's attention across a noisy restaurant. ## Understanding the tones with Jyutping [Cantonese is a tonal language](https://migaku.com/blog/chinese/cantonese-sentence-structure-[grammar](https://migaku.com/blog/language-fun/cantonese-grammar-guide)-basics) with six main tones, and getting them right makes a huge difference in being understood. The Jyutping romanization system helps learners figure out pronunciation. For 唔該, the Jyutping is "m4 goi1." The numbers indicate tones: 4 is a low falling tone, and 1 is a high level tone. So you start low with the "m" and jump up high with "goi." For 不好意思, the Jyutping is "bat1 hou2 ji3 si1." Each syllable has its own tone, which is why this phrase takes more practice to get right. Don't stress too much about perfect tones when you're starting out. Native speakers will usually understand you from context, and they appreciate the effort. But if you want to sound more natural, spending time with video resources or language apps that let you hear the tones repeatedly really helps. ## Related phrases you should know Once you've got "excuse me" down, there are some related phrases that often come up in similar situations. 對唔住 (deoi m jyu) means "sorry" and is used for more serious apologies. If you accidentally step on someone's foot or spill something, this is more appropriate than 不好意思. The Jyutping is "deoi3 m4 jyu6." 唔好意思 (m hou yi si) is actually the more common Cantonese way to say what I mentioned earlier as 不好意思. Both are used, but 唔好意思 is more colloquial. Same meaning, just a different first character. 多謝 (do ze) means "thank you" for gifts or compliments, while 唔該 is for services. Knowing the difference prevents awkward moments. "Do ze" is pronounced like "daw zeh." ## What to say when someone says excuse me to you When someone says 唔該 to you, the typical responses are: 冇問題 (mou man tai) which means "no problem." Pronounced "moh muhn tai." 冇事 (mou si) meaning "it's nothing" or "no worries." Pronounced "moh see." Often, people just nod or move aside without saying anything, which is totally normal. In crowded situations, verbal responses aren't always expected. ## Practical scenarios for travelers Let me walk you through some real situations you'd encounter in Hong Kong. At a dim sum restaurant, you're seated at a large round table with strangers (totally normal in Hong Kong). You need the chili oil that's on the other side. You'd say "唔該" while gesturing to the bottle, and someone will pass it to you. When they do, you say "唔該" again as thanks. On the MTR during rush hour, you're stuck in the middle of the train and your stop is next. You start saying "唔該, 唔該" or "借過" as you navigate toward the doors. People will shuffle aside to let you through. At a street market in Mong Kok, you accidentally bump into someone while looking at your phone. You'd quickly say "不好意思" or "對唔住" depending on how hard you bumped them. In a taxi, you need the driver to stop at a specific spot. You might say "唔該, 就喺度停" (m goi, jau hai dou ting) which means "excuse me, please stop right here." ## Video resources for learning pronunciation Since Cantonese is all about those tones, watching video tutorials helps way more than just reading romanization. YouTube has tons of channels dedicated to Cantonese learning where you can hear native speakers pronounce these phrases in different contexts. Look for videos that show the phrase being used in real situations, like street interviews or restaurant scenarios. Seeing the context while hearing the pronunciation helps your brain connect the dots faster. Some video courses also break down the mouth position and tone contours, which is super helpful for getting that "m" sound right in 唔該. That initial consonant trips up a lot of learners because it's not common in English. ## The overlap between sorry and thank you Here's something interesting about Cantonese: the word 唔該 can mean both "excuse me" and "thank you," which confuses learners at first. The key is understanding that it's specifically for thanking someone for a service or action. If someone holds the elevator for you, you'd say 唔該. If someone gives you a birthday gift, you'd say 多謝 instead. The distinction is about whether someone did something (service) versus gave you something (gift). This overlap actually makes sense when you think about it. When you say "excuse me" to get past someone, you're essentially thanking them in advance for moving. The phrase acknowledges their cooperation. ## Cantonese versus Mandarin Chinese If you've learned Mandarin, you might know "excuse me" as 不好意思 (bu hao yi si) or 对不起 (dui bu qi). The characters are similar or identical to Cantonese, but the pronunciation is completely different. 唔該 is unique to Cantonese and doesn't have a direct Mandarin equivalent. Mandarin speakers would say 劳驾 (lao jia) or 麻烦 (ma fan) in similar situations, but these aren't common in Cantonese. This is why learning Cantonese specifically matters if you're going to Hong Kong or Guangdong. While many people speak Mandarin there, using Cantonese phrases shows respect for the local language and culture. People really appreciate the effort. ## Building your Cantonese vocabulary beyond excuse me Once you've mastered these politeness phrases, you'll want to expand your vocabulary to handle more complex interactions. The best way to learn Cantonese naturally is through immersion with real content. Watching Hong Kong movies or TV shows gives you context for how these phrases fit into conversations. You'll notice characters saying 唔該 dozens of times per episode in different situations, which reinforces the various uses. Cantonese pop music is another great resource. While songs might not use "excuse me" much, they'll expose you to the rhythm and tones of the language in a memorable way. Street signs, restaurant menus, and MTR announcements in Hong Kong are all in traditional Chinese characters with Cantonese pronunciation. If you can read some characters, you'll pick up vocabulary much faster by connecting the written word to what you hear. ## Common mistakes learners make The biggest mistake is using 唔該 when you should use 對唔住. If you genuinely did something wrong or caused a real inconvenience, 對唔住 is more appropriate. 唔該 is too casual for serious apologies. Another issue is not adjusting your tone for the situation. You can say 唔該 softly when asking for a small favor, but you might need to say it louder and more clearly when trying to get through a crowd. Some learners also forget that 唔該 doubles as "thank you" for services, so they end up saying both 唔該 and 多謝 in situations where just 唔該 would be natural. It's not wrong, just a bit redundant. ## Why learning these phrases matters Knowing how to say excuse me in Cantonese does more than just help you navigate Hong Kong politely. It shows respect for the language and opens doors to better interactions with locals. Cantonese speakers in Hong Kong deal with tons of tourists who just speak English or Mandarin at them. When you make the effort to use even basic Cantonese phrases, people's attitudes shift. They're more patient, more helpful, and more likely to engage with you genuinely. Plus, these phrases are so common that you'll use them constantly. Unlike some vocabulary that only comes up occasionally, 唔該 and 不好意思 are daily essentials. Mastering them early gives you confidence to learn more. ## Excuse me is just the start Learning 唔該, 不好意思, and 借過 gives you the foundation for polite interactions in Cantonese. These aren't just tourist phrases you memorize and forget. They're the building blocks of daily communication in Hong Kong and Guangdong. The more you use them in real situations, the more natural they'll become. And once you've got these down, you'll find that expanding your Cantonese vocabulary gets easier because you've already trained your ear to hear those tones correctly. If you really want to level up your Cantonese, immersion is the key. [Watch Hong Kong dramas](https://migaku.com/blog/chinese/best-cantonese-shows-for-language-learners), [listen to Cantonese podcasts](https://migaku.com/blog/chinese/best-cantonese-podcasts), and save useful phrases you encounter to review later. > If you consume media in Cantonese, and you understand at least some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. Period. Learn it once. Understand it. Own it. Anyway, if you want to actually use these strategies with real Cantonese content, Migaku's browser extension lets you look up words instantly while watching Hong Kong shows or reading articles. Makes immersion learning way more practical. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.