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

But to try one of Vancouver’s most beloved Chinese restaurants, make for Chinatown BBQ, where the checkerboard floors and hanging meat evoke a classic Cantonese chopshop.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 27, 2025

It’s the only resort in the Maldives with a Zuma, and its Cantonese restaurant, Li Long, a Peking duck expert from Beijing, helms the country’s first wood-fired oven.

From Salon • Dec. 27, 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

She could work closely with their own Cantonese expert and then testify at the trial.

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