Saying hello and goodbye are some of the first ways we connect with people. For a toddler, these simple words are a big step into a wider social world. Let's learn a few basic greetings in Cantonese that you can practice together every day.

The most common way to say hello to someone is a simple, friendly phrase you can use anytime, anywhere.

The first sound, nei, is like the word "nay." The second sound, hou, sounds a lot like the English word "hoe." Try saying it with a smile!

Just like in English, Cantonese has special greetings for different times of the day. When you wake up in the morning, you can greet your family with a cheerful phrase.

The first part, zou, sounds like the "jo" in "joke." The second part, san, sounds like the word "sun." It's the perfect way to start the day.

When it's time to leave the playground or say goodnight, there's a simple way to say goodbye. It literally means "see you again," which is a lovely thought.

For the first sound, zoi, think of the letters "joy." For the second, gin, it's close to the name "Geen." You can wave while you say it!

Ready to check what you've learned?

Great job. With these three phrases, you and your little one have the foundation for countless friendly conversations.