Cantonese

American  

[kan-tn-eez, -ees] / ˌkæn tnˈiz, -ˈis /

noun

plural

Cantonese

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

2. a native or inhabitant of Canton, China.

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adjective

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

Cantonese British  

/ ˌkæntəˈniːz /

noun

1. the Chinese language spoken in the city of Canton, Guangdong and Guanxi provinces, Hong Kong, and elsewhere outside China

2. a native or inhabitant of the city of Canton or Guangdong province

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adjective

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

Etymology

Origin of Cantonese

First recorded in 1855–60; Canton + -ese

Example Sentences

Founder Xu Jiayin, known as Hui Ka Yan in Cantonese, was reportedly held by police in 2023, with Evergrande saying he had been subjected to measures "due to suspicion of illegal crimes".

From Barron's • Apr. 14, 2026

As Cantonese speakers, her parents, who settled the family in Quincy, Massachusetts, weren’t plugged into the parent-school network.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 21, 2025

Our order walks the line between Cantonese classics that would suit Hemingway’s taste and dishes that surprise then please.

From Salon • Jul. 12, 2025

"For the Asian students, we have some colleagues that can speak Japanese, they also can speak Korean or Cantonese so they can chat with them," she tells me.

From BBC • Sep. 27, 2024

But Chen questioned some of her other results, saying they made no sense in Cantonese.

From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield