Cantonese

[ kan-tn-eez, -ees ]

noun

, plural Can·ton·ese.

1. a Chinese language spoken in Canton, the surrounding area of southern China, and Hong Kong.
2. a native or inhabitant of Canton, China.

adjective

1. pertaining to Canton, China, its inhabitants, or their language.

Cantonese

/ ˌkæntəˈniːz /

noun

1. the Chinese language spoken in the city of Canton, Guangdong and Guanxi provinces, Hong Kong, and elsewhere outside China
2. -ese a native or inhabitant of the city of Canton or Guangdong province

adjective

1. of or relating to the city of Canton, Guangdong province, or the Chinese language spoken there

Word History and Origins

Origin of Cantonese¹

First recorded in 1855–60; Canton + -ese

Example Sentences

In Cantonese cooking, the flavor of fresh fish is prized for its subtle sweetness.

From Washington Post

He speaks Tagalog, Bahasa Indonesia, Malay, Cantonese, and Mandarin.

From Quartz

There will be 200 of our friends and family, a live band, and a Cantonese translator so that my mother can follow every part of the evening.

From Washington Blade

SEACA helped get them to residents, scheduling appointments from its waiting list of 2,500 people, translating documents for them and recruiting volunteers who are fluent in Cantonese, Taishanese, Teochew or Vietnamese.

From ProPublica

In Macau, Cantonese restaurant Wing Lei Palace is the only new one-star restaurant, bringing the region’s total to nine one-star restaurants, compared to Hong Kong’s 50.

From Eater

Its language—Cantonese—is spoken only in neighboring Macau and Guangdong province.

From The Daily Beast

Cantonese, with its individual characters, also forces rappers to adopt a staccato lyricism.

From The Daily Beast

Then there is the Cantonese dish known as "dragon, tiger, and phoenix", made of snake, cat, and chicken.

From The Daily Beast

To find some of the best Cantonese in all of China, you won't even need to leave your hotel.

From The Daily Beast

I grew up hearing Cantonese and then I studied Mandarin for a while.

From The Daily Beast

They know us by the Cantonese laundrymen, the class which ranks with their lowest classes.

From Project Gutenberg

Our lower classes, "coolies" from the Cantonese districts, have flocked to America.

From Project Gutenberg

A Cantonese waiter paddled swiftly outside, bearing a lacquered tray and two steaming glasses.

From Project Gutenberg

The superstitious Cantonese believed that the sunbeam which revealed the fatal flaw was a messenger sent from heaven!

From Project Gutenberg

He brought thousands of Cantonese coolies into Hawaii, and his wealth began to grow.

From Project Gutenberg