Workplace Cantonese — Breakthrough

What you will learn

Navigate the Hong Kong workplace with confidence. Learn office vocabulary, how to discuss tasks and deadlines, communicate with colleagues, and handle common work situations — from meetings to email follow-ups.

Use workplace vocabulary for tasks and projects
Discuss deadlines and schedules with colleagues
Make polite requests in a professional setting
Report progress and raise issues at work

Dialogue

Conversation

早晨！今日開會幾點呀？

zou2 san4! gam1 jat6 hoi1 wui2 gei2 dim2 aa3?

Good morning! What time is the meeting today?

三點，喺大會議室。老闆話要傾下個project嘅進度。

saam1 dim2, hai2 daai6 wui6 ji5 sat1. lou5 baan2 waa6 jiu3 king1 haa5 go3 project ge3 zeon3 dou6.

Three o clock, in the main meeting room. The boss said we need to discuss the project progress.

好，我準備咗份報告，遲啲send畀你睇先。

hou2, ngo5 zeon2 bei6 zo2 fan6 bou3 gou3, ci4 di1 send bei2 nei5 tai2 sin1.

OK, I have prepared a report, I will send it to you to review first.

唔該晒。個deadline係幾時呀？客戶催緊我哋。

m4 goi1 saai3. go3 deadline hai6 gei2 si4 aa3? haak3 wu6 ceoi1 gan2 ngo5 dei6.

Thanks. When is the deadline? The client is chasing us.

下個禮拜五，不過我覺得可能要申請延期。

haa6 go3 lai5 baai3 ng5, bat1 gwo3 ngo5 gok3 dak1 ho2 nang4 jiu3 san1 cing2 jin4 kei4.

Next Friday, but I think we may need to request an extension.

咁你負責同客戶溝通，我搞掂技術嗰邊。

gam2 nei5 fu6 zaak3 tung4 haak3 wu6 kau1 tung1, ngo5 gaau2 dim6 gei6 seot6 go2 bin1.

Then you handle communicating with the client, I will sort out the technical side.

收到。如果有咩問題，隨時搵我傾。

sau1 dou2. jyu4 gwo2 jau5 me1 man6 tai4, ceoi4 si4 wan2 ngo5 king1.

Got it. If there are any issues, come to me anytime to discuss.

好，大家加油！盡量喺deadline之前搞掂。

hou2, daai6 gaa1 gaa1 jau4! zeon6 loeng6 hai2 deadline zi1 cin4 gaau2 dim6.

OK, let us do our best! Try to finish before the deadline.

Vocabulary

Key Words & Phrases

開會

hoi1 wui2

have a meeting

會議室

wui6 ji5 sat1

meeting room

報告

bou3 gou3

report

進度

zeon3 dou6

progress

客戶

haak3 wu6

client / customer

申請

san1 cing2

apply / request

延期

jin4 kei4

extension / postpone

負責

fu6 zaak3

be responsible for

溝通

kau1 tung1

communicate

搞掂

gaau2 dim6

sort out / finish

收到

sau1 dou2

got it / acknowledged

盡量

zeon6 loeng6

try ones best / as much as possible

Grammar

Language Patterns

verb + 緊 (ongoing action / progressive)

Adding 緊 (gan2) after a verb indicates an action in progress, like English "-ing". 催緊 means "is chasing/pressing". This is the progressive aspect marker.

我做緊嘢，等陣先。

ngo5 zou6 gan2 je5, dang2 zan6 sin1.

I am busy doing something, wait a moment.

佢傾緊電話。

keoi5 king1 gan2 din6 waa2.

She is on the phone.

如果 ... 就 ... (if ... then ...)

如果 (jyu4 gwo2) introduces a condition, and 就 (zau6) introduces the result. In casual speech 如果 can be shortened to 如果 or even dropped with just 就 remaining.

如果落雨就搭的士。

jyu4 gwo2 lok6 jyu5 zau6 daap3 dik1 si2.

If it rains then take a taxi.

如果你得閒就嚟幫手。

jyu4 gwo2 nei5 dak1 haan4 zau6 lai4 bong1 sau2.

If you are free then come help.

你負責 A，我負責 B (dividing responsibilities)

負責 (fu6 zaak3) means "to be responsible for". Use this pattern to divide tasks between people. Very common in workplace settings.

你負責設計，我負責寫code。

nei5 fu6 zaak3 cit3 gai3, ngo5 fu6 zaak3 se2 code.

You handle the design, I handle writing code.

佢負責市場推廣。

keoi5 fu6 zaak3 si5 coeng4 teoi1 gwong2.

She is in charge of marketing.

盡量 + verb (try to / as much as possible)

盡量 (zeon6 loeng6) before a verb means "try ones best to" or "as much as possible". It softens a request or goal — common in professional settings.

盡量早啲完成。

zeon6 loeng6 zou2 di1 jyun4 sing4.

Try to finish as early as possible.

盡量唔好遲到。

zeon6 loeng6 m4 hou2 ci4 dou3.

Try not to be late.

Practice

Test Your Knowledge

Fill_blank · Question 1

客戶催 ___ 我哋交報告。 (progressive marker)

Answer

緊

Translate · Question 2

If there are any issues, come to me anytime.

Answer

如果有咩問題，隨時搵我傾。

Choice · Question 3

What does 搞掂 mean?

sort out / finish
start working
give up
complain

Answer

sort out / finish

Fill_blank · Question 4

___ 喺deadline之前完成。 (try ones best)

盡量
一定
可能
應該

Answer

盡量

Translate · Question 5

You handle the client, I will sort out the technical side.

Answer

你負責同客戶溝通，我搞掂技術嗰邊。

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