Cantonese Phrases for Caring for an Elderly Person

The Cantonese an elderly person will say to you, and the phrases you need to answer — for helpers caring for an elderly parent in Hong Kong.

Caring for an elderly person is the part of the job where Cantonese matters most, because it is the part where English often is not available at all. This guide separates the two directions — what she says to you, and what you need to say back.

Why this is the hardest part

An elderly person may speak quickly, use a strong accent, and repeat the same word rather than explain it. She may also be hard of hearing, or confused. You cannot negotiate your way through this in English, and there is no colleague to translate. That is exactly why this vocabulary is worth learning first.

What she will say to you

These are the requests and complaints you will hear most. Learn to recognise them before you learn to answer:

幫我攞杯水 — "Get me a glass of water." One of the most common requests there is.
太熱呀 / 好凍 — "It's too hot" / "It's very cold." She may not be able to adjust the air conditioning herself.
我唔舒服 — "I don't feel well." Treat this as important every time.
冇胃口 — "I have no appetite." A change in eating is a signal, not a preference.
帶遮 — "Bring an umbrella." An instruction before you go out.

See the full Elder Care and Health & Symptoms categories.

What you need to say back

You do not need long sentences. Short, calm phrases do the work:

唔怕 — "Don't be afraid."
我喺度 — "I'm here." Often the single most useful thing you can say.
唔緊要 — "It's alright / never mind."
食多啲 — "Eat a bit more."
慢慢嚟 — "Take your time."

See Comfort & Reassurance and Meals & Feeding.

Medicine and appointments

Medicine is where a misunderstanding has real consequences. Learn the words for the medicine itself, the time it is taken, and the clinic visit — and if you are not certain what you heard, repeat it back rather than guess. See Medicine & Appointments.

Emergencies: learn these before you need them

Four phrases, worth memorising today:

救命 — "Help!" Shout it.
叫白車 — "Call an ambulance." 白車 ("white car") is the everyday Hong Kong word for an ambulance.
婆婆跌親 — "Grandma fell." 婆婆 is a respectful word for an elderly woman.
佢呼吸唔到 — "She can't breathe."

Full set in Safety.

One habit that matters more than vocabulary

Say the person's name, or 婆婆 / 公公, before you speak. It gets her attention, and it tells her you are speaking to her rather than about her. In a house where someone is hard of hearing or easily confused, that single habit prevents more misunderstandings than any word on this page.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most important Cantonese phrase for a carer?

我喺度 — "I'm here". It is short, calm, and answers the fear an elderly person feels most often: that she has been left alone. In an emergency, learn 救命 ("help!") and 叫白車 ("call an ambulance") first.

What does 婆婆 (po4 po2) mean?

婆婆 is a respectful way to address an elderly woman — close to "grandma", but polite rather than familiar. Helpers commonly use it for the elderly person they care for. For an elderly man, 公公 (gung1 gung1) is the matching word.