Learn how to give opinions
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| INTRODUCTION |
| John: Hi everyone, and welcome back to CantoneseClass101.com. This is Business Cantonese for Beginners Season 1 Lesson 21 - Giving Your Opinion in Cantonese. John here. |
| Siuling: 大家好！(daai6 gaa1 hou2!) I'm Siuling. |
| John: In this lesson, you’ll learn how to give opinions. The conversation takes place at an office. |
| Siuling: It's between Monica and Linda. |
| John: The speakers are boss and employee, therefore, they will speak formal Cantonese. Okay, let's listen to the conversation. |
| DIALOGUE |
| 黃小芬: 我認為我哋要擴展服務供應。 |
| (wong4 siu2 fan1: ngo5 jing6 wai4 ngo5 dei6 jiu3 kong3 zin2 fuk6 mou6 gung1 jing3.) |
| 張麗珊: 我唔敢肯定呢個係咪好建議，因為我哋而家人手不足。 |
| (zoeng1 lai6 saan1: ngo5 m4 gam2 hang2 ding6 ni1 go3 hai6 mai6 hou2 gin3 ji5, jan1 wai6 ngo5 dei6 ji4 gaa1 jan4 sau2 bat1 zuk1.) |
| 黃小芬: 我嘅諗法唔同，我哋要有新嘢畀個市場。 |
| (wong4 siu2 fan1: ngo5 ge3 lam2 faat3 m4 tung4, ngo5 dei6 jiu3 jau5 san1 je5 bei2 go3 si5 coeng4.) |
| 張麗珊: 咁又係，但係我哋會需要更多人手。 |
| (zoeng1 lai6 saan1: gam2 jau6 hai6, daan6 hai6 ngo5 dei6 wui2 seoi1 jiu3 gang3 do1 jan4 sau2.) |
| 黃小芬: 同人事部傾下，睇下佢哋可以做到啲乜。 |
| (wong4 siu2 fan1: tung4 jan4 si6 bou6 king1 haa5, tai2 haa5 keoi5 dei6 ho2 ji5 zou6 dou3 di1 mat1.) |
| 張麗珊: 都可以嘅，不過佢哋未必鍾意。 |
| (zoeng1 lai6 saan1: dou1 ho2 ji5 ge3, bat1 gwo3 keoi5 dei6 mei6 bit1 zung1 ji3.) |
| 黃小芬: 但係我哋冇得揀。 |
| (wong4 siu2 fan1: daan6 hai6 ngo5 dei6 mou5 dak1 gaan2.) |
| 張麗珊: 既然係咁，首先要從長計議。 |
| (zoeng1 lai6 saan1: gei3 jin4 hai6 gam2, sau2 sin1 jiu3 cung4 coeng4 gai3 ji5.) |
| John: Listen to the conversation one time slowly. |
| 黃小芬: 我認為我哋要擴展服務供應。 |
| (wong4 siu2 fan1: ngo5 jing6 wai4 ngo5 dei6 jiu3 kong3 zin2 fuk6 mou6 gung1 jing3.) |
| 張麗珊: 我唔敢肯定呢個係咪好建議，因為我哋而家人手不足。 |
| (zoeng1 lai6 saan1: ngo5 m4 gam2 hang2 ding6 ni1 go3 hai6 mai6 hou2 gin3 ji5, jan1 wai6 ngo5 dei6 ji4 gaa1 jan4 sau2 bat1 zuk1.) |
| 黃小芬: 我嘅諗法唔同，我哋要有新嘢畀個市場。 |
| (wong4 siu2 fan1: ngo5 ge3 lam2 faat3 m4 tung4, ngo5 dei6 jiu3 jau5 san1 je5 bei2 go3 si5 coeng4.) |
| 張麗珊: 咁又係，但係我哋會需要更多人手。 |
| (zoeng1 lai6 saan1: gam2 jau6 hai6, daan6 hai6 ngo5 dei6 wui2 seoi1 jiu3 gang3 do1 jan4 sau2.) |
| 黃小芬: 同人事部傾下，睇下佢哋可以做到啲乜。 |
| (wong4 siu2 fan1: tung4 jan4 si6 bou6 king1 haa5, tai2 haa5 keoi5 dei6 ho2 ji5 zou6 dou3 di1 mat1.) |
| 張麗珊: 都可以嘅，不過佢哋未必鍾意。 |
| (zoeng1 lai6 saan1: dou1 ho2 ji5 ge3, bat1 gwo3 keoi5 dei6 mei6 bit1 zung1 ji3.) |
| 黃小芬: 但係我哋冇得揀。 |
| (wong4 siu2 fan1: daan6 hai6 ngo5 dei6 mou5 dak1 gaan2.) |
| 張麗珊: 既然係咁，首先要從長計議。 |
| (zoeng1 lai6 saan1: gei3 jin4 hai6 gam2, sau2 sin1 jiu3 cung4 coeng4 gai3 ji5.) |
| John: Listen to the conversation with the English translation. |
| 黃小芬: 我認為我哋要擴展服務供應。 |
| (wong4 siu2 fan1: ngo5 jing6 wai4 ngo5 dei6 jiu3 kong3 zin2 fuk6 mou6 gung1 jing3.) |
| Monica: I think that we should broaden our offer. |
| 張麗珊: 我唔敢肯定呢個係咪好建議，因為我哋而家人手不足。 |
| (zoeng1 lai6 saan1: ngo5 m4 gam2 hang2 ding6 ni1 go3 hai6 mai6 hou2 gin3 ji5, jan1 wai6 ngo5 dei6 ji4 gaa1 jan4 sau2 bat1 zuk1.) |
| Linda: I'm not sure if it's a good idea. We are understaffed now. |
| 黃小芬: 我嘅諗法唔同，我哋要有新嘢畀個市場。 |
| (wong4 siu2 fan1: ngo5 ge3 lam2 faat3 m4 tung4, ngo5 dei6 jiu3 jau5 san1 je5 bei2 go3 si5 coeng4.) |
| Monica: I would not agree with you. We have to bring something new to the market. |
| 張麗珊: 咁又係，但係我哋會需要更多人手。 |
| (zoeng1 lai6 saan1: gam2 jau6 hai6, daan6 hai6 ngo5 dei6 wui2 seoi1 jiu3 gang3 do1 jan4 sau2.) |
| Linda: Yes, but we will need more people. |
| 黃小芬: 同人事部傾下，睇下佢哋可以做到啲乜。 |
| (wong4 siu2 fan1: tung4 jan4 si6 bou6 king1 haa5, tai2 haa5 keoi5 dei6 ho2 ji5 zou6 dou3 di1 mat1.) |
| Monica: Speak with the HR department then and see what they can do about it. |
| 張麗珊: 都可以嘅，不過佢哋未必鍾意。 |
| (zoeng1 lai6 saan1: dou1 ho2 ji5 ge3, bat1 gwo3 keoi5 dei6 mei6 bit1 zung1 ji3.) |
| Linda: Well yes, but they may not like this. |
| 黃小芬: 但係我哋冇得揀。 |
| (wong4 siu2 fan1: daan6 hai6 ngo5 dei6 mou5 dak1 gaan2.) |
| Monica: But we don't have a choice. |
| 張麗珊: 既然係咁，首先要從長計議。 |
| (zoeng1 lai6 saan1: gei3 jin4 hai6 gam2, sau2 sin1 jiu3 cung4 coeng4 gai3 ji5.) |
| Linda: Then, first it's necessary to prepare a detailed plan. |
| POST CONVERSATION BANTER |
| John: Lots of foreigners go to work in Hong Kong. What are the main benefits of working there? |
| Siuling: Employers give their employees many different types of leave entitlements. |
| John: So annual leave, sick leave, and maternity leave, for example. |
| Siuling: There are also retirement and termination benefits. |
| John: Can employees get other types of benefits, too? |
| Siuling: Yes, meal benefits, transportation benefits, and accommodation benefits are common. |
| John: What about the benefits of living in Hong Kong? What is the healthcare like? |
| Siuling: The healthcare system is divided into public and private healthcare. |
| John: For a small fee, the government will provide your healthcare in the public option. |
| Siuling: As long as you have a Hong Kong ID card, you are eligible for public healthcare. It can take time to be seen at public clinics, though. |
| John: So there is also the private option. Many employers give private health insurance. |
| Siuling: Housing in Hong Kong is expensive and small, but there are many options. |
| John: Okay, now onto the vocab. |
| VOCAB LIST |
| John: Let’s take a look at the vocabulary from this lesson. The first word is... |
| Siuling: 擴展(kong3 zin2) [natural native speed] |
| John: to expand |
| Siuling: 擴展(kong3 zin2) [slowly - broken down by syllable] |
| Siuling: 擴展(kong3 zin2) [natural native speed] |
| John: Next we have... |
| Siuling: 服務(fuk6 mou6) [natural native speed] |
| John: service |
| Siuling: 服務(fuk6 mou6) [slowly - broken down by syllable] |
| Siuling: 服務(fuk6 mou6) [natural native speed] |
| John: Next we have... |
| Siuling: 供應(gung1 jing3) [natural native speed] |
| John: supply; to offer; to supply |
| Siuling: 供應(gung1 jing3) [slowly - broken down by syllable] |
| Siuling: 供應(gung1 jing3) [natural native speed] |
| John: Next we have... |
| Siuling: 唔敢(m4 gam2) [natural native speed] |
| John: to not dare |
| Siuling: 唔敢(m4 gam2) [slowly - broken down by syllable] |
| Siuling: 唔敢(m4 gam2) [natural native speed] |
| John: Next we have... |
| Siuling: 肯定(hang2 ding6) [natural native speed] |
| John: for sure; certainly |
| Siuling: 肯定(hang2 ding6) [slowly - broken down by syllable] |
| Siuling: 肯定(hang2 ding6) [natural native speed] |
| John: Next we have... |
| Siuling: 建議(gin3 ji5) [natural native speed] |
| John: suggestion, advice; to suggest, to advise |
| Siuling: 建議(gin3 ji5) [slowly - broken down by syllable] |
| Siuling: 建議(gin3 ji5) [natural native speed] |
| John: Next we have... |
| Siuling: 諗法(lam2 faat3) [natural native speed] |
| John: personal view, idea |
| Siuling: 諗法(lam2 faat3) [slowly - broken down by syllable] |
| Siuling: 諗法(lam2 faat3) [natural native speed] |
| John: Next we have... |
| Siuling: 首先(sau2 sin1) [natural native speed] |
| John: first |
| Siuling: 首先(sau2 sin1) [slowly - broken down by syllable] |
| Siuling: 首先(sau2 sin1) [natural native speed] |
| John: And lastly... |
| Siuling: 揀(gaan2) [natural native speed] |
| John: to choose |
| Siuling: 揀(gaan2) [slowly - broken down by syllable] |
| Siuling: 揀(gaan2) [natural native speed] |
| KEY VOCAB AND PHRASES |
| John: Let's have a closer look at the usage of some of the words and phrases from this lesson. The first word is... |
| Siuling: 你嘅建議(nei5 ge3 gin3 ji5) |
| John: meaning "your suggestion." |
| John: Let’s break down this phrase. |
| Siuling: First is 你嘅(nei5 ge3), this means "your." Next is 建議 (gin3 ji5). |
| John: This means "suggestion, proposal." |
| Siuling: 你嘅建議(nei5 ge3 gin3 ji5) is an idea or plan of someone else. |
| John: Can you give us an example using this phrase? |
| Siuling: Sure. For example, you can say... 你嘅建議不獲採納。(nei5 ge3 gin3 ji5 bat1 wok6 coi2 naap6.) |
| John: ... which means "Your suggestion was not accepted." |
| John: Okay, what's the next phrase? |
| Siuling: 但係我哋冇得揀。(daan6 hai6 ngo5 dei6 mou5 dak1 gaan2) |
| John: meaning "But we don't have a choice." |
| John: This is a little long, so let’s break it down. |
| Siuling: First is 但係(daan6 hai6), which means "but." Next is 我哋(ngo5 dei6). |
| John: This means "we." The next part is "do not have." |
| Siuling: That is 冇得(mou5 dak1). Finally is 揀(gaan2). |
| John: This means "choose, select." When you can’t avoid a situation, you can use this phrase. |
| Siuling: The written form of the verb 揀(gaan2) is 選擇(syun2 zaak6). |
| John: Can you give us an example using this phrase? |
| Siuling: Sure. For example, you can say... 呢項投資係好高風險, 但係我哋冇得揀。(ni1 hong6 tau4 zi1 hai6 hou2 gou1 fung1 him2, daan6 hai6 ngo5 dei6 mou5 dak1 gaan2.) |
| John: ... which means "This is a very high-risk investment, but we don't have a choice." |
| John: Okay, now onto the lesson focus. |
Lesson focus |
|---|
| John: In this lesson, you'll learn about giving opinions for the expansion of the company. |
| John: How can we state our opinion in Cantonese? |
| Siuling: You can state your opinion after 我認為 (ngo5 jing6 wai4). |
| John: This means "I think..." |
| Siuling: You can also say 我覺得 (ngo5 gok3 dak1). |
| John: This second one sounds less formal. Now, let’s hear some example sentences. |
| Siuling: 我認為我哋要善用社交媒體去提升知名度。(ngo5 jing6 wai4 ngo5 dei6 jiu3 sin6 jung6 se5 gaau1 mui4 tai2 heoi3 tai4 sing1 zi1 ming4 dou6.) |
| John: "I think we should make good use of social media to gain more popularity." |
| Siuling: 我認為公司要請多啲有經驗嘅人。(ngo5 jing6 wai4 gung1 si1 jiu3 ceng2 do1 di1 jau5 ging1 jim6 ge3 jan4.) |
| John: "I think our company should hire more experienced employees." |
| Siuling: 我覺得咁做未必行唔通。(ngo5 gok3 dak1 gam2 zou6 mei6 bit1 haang4 m4 tung1.) |
| John: "I think it does not necessarily mean failure." If someone else offers their opinion, you might need to react to it. |
| Siuling: Yes, you might agree or disagree. |
| John: Here are some phrases to help. |
| Siuling: 我可以肯定... (ngo5 ho2 ji3 hang2 ding6 …) |
| John: "I’m sure that…" |
| Siuling: 我唔敢肯定... (ngo5 m4 gam2 hang2 ding6 …) |
| John: "I can’t be sure that…" |
| Siuling: 我同意... (ngo5 tung4 ji3 …) |
| John: "I agree with…" |
| Siuling: 我唔同意... (ngo5 m4 tung4 ji3 …) |
| John: "I disagree with…" |
| Siuling: 我嘅諗法一樣。(ngo5 ge3 lam2 faat3 jat1 joeng6.) |
| John: "I have the same opinion." |
| Siuling: 我嘅諗法唔同。(ngo5 ge3 lam2 faat3 m4 tung4.) |
| John: "I have a different opinion." |
Outro |
| John: Okay, that’s all for this lesson. Thank you for listening, everyone, and we’ll see you next time! Bye! |
| Siuling: 拜拜！(baai1 baai3!) |
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