cantostories

  從前係一個小山坡上面,住左豬媽媽同埋佢嘅三隻豬仔。

Once upon a time,on a hillside lived Mother Pig and her three little pigs.  

豬媽媽個大仔係個大懶蟲,佢除左食嘢之外,成日都係到訓覺。

The first little pig was so lazy that he slept day and nightaprt from when he had to eat.

   豬二係個胃食鬼,除左訓覺之外成日都不停係到食野。

 The second little pig loved eating so much that he ate all the time except when he was asleep.  

 三兄弟之中只得豬三最勤力,成日都幫媽媽做呢樣做個樣。

There was only one hardworking pig among the three little pigs.It was third little pig.He helped his mother with her housework all day long.  

有一日,豬媽媽將三個仔叫去自己身邊,

One day,Mother Pig gathered her three little pigs round  

同佢地講:「你地都唔細嫁啦,係時候要自己生活,幫自己起一間屋啦!」

and said,”You all are not babies any more.From now on,each of you will jave to earn your own living.So go and build a house for yourself.”  

豬老大間係山下面起屋。佢貪方便同慳時間,是但用稻草起左一間草屋。

 The first little pig chose a place at the foot of the hill.In order to save himself trouble,he built riugh straw house.  

豬二間係山腰上面起屋。佢為左方便食蘋果,就係一棵蘋果樹下面好快咁用木屋起左一間木屋。

 The second little pig chose a place on the hillside.In order to make it easier to eat apples,he built a wooden house inder an apple tree quickly.  

 豬三決定係山頂上面起屋。佢心諗:「山頂大風,我要將間屋起呢又穩又暖先至得。」

The third little pig decided to build his house on the top of the hill.”It’s quite windy at the hilltop.”he thought,”so i have to built a strong and warm house.”  

豬三開始係山上面努力起屋,好早起身又好早訓覺。

 Then he started to carry bricks,tiles and cement up to the top of the hill.e worked so hard that he got up early and went to bad late every day.  

 豬老大笑豬三:「老三真係白痴,真係笑死人,成日都掛係起屋,不如係樹下面訓下覺好過啦!」

The first little pig sneered—-”What a fool you are!Keepdoing heavy and hard work here!Work with bricks and tiles like a bee,But not get a good sleep under a tree!”  

豬二都笑豬三:「三細老乜你咁蠢嫁,間屋起咁穩做乜野?坐係木屋頂上面,一樣可以食蘋果!」

The second little pig,too,sneered====”Silly!Silly!silly piggy!What’s the point of making the house strong?Enjoying apples on the top of a wooden house,You will know you are so wrong!」  

 豬三都唔理佢地講乜野,自己想點做就點做。一間好靚嘅磚頭屋終於起好啦。

The third little pig didn’t care about what they said and carried on with his work.Finally,a beautiful brick house was completes as he wished.  

有一日,一隻好肚餓嘅大灰狼係森林到走出黎搵嘢食。佢經過豬老大間屋,見到豬老大係到訓覺。

 One day,a ravenously hungry big bad wolf came out of the forest.He passed by the first little’s pig window and saw him sleeping.  

大灰狼間直開心死,心諗:「今次有飯食啦!」

Tere is mu big dinner!”he thought.  

大灰狼用力吹左一下,就將豬老大間草屋吹趺左。

 Then the big bad wolf took a deep breath and blew very hard at the straw house.Within seconds,the straw house fell down.  

豬老大嚇醒左,佢一路大叫救命一路去搵豬老二。

The first little pig woke up with a start.He ran quicky to the second little pig’s wooden house,crying for help all his way.  

豬大老走左入豬二間屋後,大灰狼即刻就黎到,佢吹左好多次都吹唔跌豬二間屋。於是佢用力一擁, 間屋就跌左。

As soon as the first little pig had taken shelter in the second little pig’s house,the big bad wolf arrived.He huffed and he puffed but he could’t get the wooden house down.Then he bumped againest it.The house collapsed right at the bang.  

豬大老同埋豬二一路叫救命一路跑去豬三間屋到。

Then the two little pigs fled like the wind.Crying for help all their way,they got into the third little pig’s brick house.  

大灰狼好快就追到去豬三屋企。佢吹到頭暈都暈重未吹得跌間屋。

The big bad wolf also got to the third little pig’s door quicky.He huffed and he puffed and he puffed and huffed and his head started to ache but the vrick house still stood firm.  

於是大灰狼撞間屋,撞到佢成面血。

Then the big bad wolf bumped against the vrick wall very hard.This caused bleeding all over his face.”Ouch-ow-ow!”,he bellowed with pain.  

大灰狼搵到一把梯,爬上屋頂,由煙通爬入去屆入面。

 Then the big bad wolffound a ladder and climbed up to the roof so that he could slipped into the house through the chimney.  

 豬三聽到大灰狼係屆頂上面嘅聲,就知道大灰狼想做乜野。豬三同豬老大重有豬二一齊煮左盆熱水。 The third little pig pig heard the noise from the roof and knew what the big bad wolg was up to at once.With the other two pig boiled a large pot of piping hot water.  

 大灰狼係煙通到跳左落去,岩岩好跌左落去盆到,熱到佢係咁係到大叫之後走左。

 The big vbad wolf jumped down through the chimney and fell right into the boiling water!His buttocks were badly burned and he fled,crying loudly with pain all the way.  

從此之後,豬老大同豬二都得到教訓,又唔應該笑豬三,佢地變得好似豬三咁勤力,三隻小豬感情好好,大家都好鍾意佢地。

From then on,the first and second little pig understand they shouldn’t indulge themselves so much.They never laughed at the little pig any more and they became as hard-working as he was.he three little pigs loved each other and everybody loved them.

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一鳴驚人

 Describes how once a person decides to do something, he/she does so with such dedication and progress that it shocks everybody who knew him/her.  

喺 春 秋 時 代 ﹐ 楚 國 嘅 楚 莊 王 已 經 做 咗 國 王 三 年 ﹐ 但 佢 完 全 唔 理 國 家 嘅 嘢 ﹐ 成日飲飲食食 ﹐ 浪 費 時 間 。

hai2 ceon1 cau1 si4 doi6, co2 gwok3 ge3 co2 zong1 wong4 ji5 ging1 zou6 zou6 gwok3 wong4 saam1 nin4, dan6 keoi5  jyun4 cyun4 ng4  lei5 gwok3 gaa1 ge3 je5, seng4 jat6 jam2 jam2 sik6 sik6 , long6 fai3 si4 gaan3.

In the Spring and Autumn period, the Co (Chu) kingdom’s king Co Zong Wong has already been king for three years, yet he completely does not care about the state’s affairs, wasting away the whole day eating and drinking.

其 中 一 個 大 夫 申 無 畏 睇 見 楚 國 逐 漸 腐 敗 ,就 忍 唔 住 。 佢  同 國 王 講 ﹕“大 王 ﹐ 楚 國 有 一 隻 已 經 休 息 咗 三 年 嘅 雀 ﹐ 您 知 唔 知  佢 叫 咩 名  呀 ﹖ ”

kei4 zung1 jat1 go3 daai6 fu1 san1 mou4 wai6 tai2 gin3 co2 gwok3 zuk6 zim6 fu6 baai6 ,zau6 jan2 ng4 zyu6. Keoi5  tung4  gwok3 wong4 gong2: “co2 gwok3 jau5 jat1 zek3 ji5 ging1 jau1 sik1  zo2  saam1 nin4 ge3 zoek3, nei5 zi1 ng4 zi1 keoi5 giu3 me1 ming4  aa1?”

One of the doctors, San Mou Wai, could not bear the sight of the Co kingdom’s deterioration. So, he went to the king and said, “King, the Co kingdom has a bird that has been resting for three year. Do you know what the name of this bird is?”

莊 王 一 聽 咗 呢 句 話 ﹐ 就 明 白 大 夫 嘅 意 思 ﹐ 就  答  ﹕ “呢 隻 係 好 特 別 嘅 雀 ﹐ 雖 然 三 年 都 唔 飛 ﹐ 三 年 都 唔 叫 ﹐ 但 佢 一 叫 就  能 夠 驚 動 所 有 人 。 ”

co2 wong4 jat1 ting3 zo2  ni1 geoi3 waa6, zau6 ming4 baak6 daai6 fu1 ge3 ji3 si1, zau6  daap3 : “ni1 zek3 hai6 hou3 dak6 bit6 ge3 zoek3 , seoi1 jin4 saam1 nin4 dou1 ng4 fei1, saam1 nin4 dou1 ng4 giu3, daan6 keoi5 jat1 giu3 zau6 nang4 gau3 ging1 dung6 so2 jau5 jan4.

After hearing this statement, the king understood the doctor’s meaning, and replied, “This is a very special bird. Although it hasn’t flown or cried in three years, once it cries it will startle everyone.”

果 然 ﹐ 佢 喺 六 年 嘅 時 間 內 就 將 楚 國 變 成 咗 一 個 強 國 。

gwo2 jin4, keoi5 hai2 luk6 nin4 ge3 si4 gaan3 noi6 zau6 zoeng1 co2 gwok3 bin3 sing4 zo2 jat1 go3 koeng4 gwok3.

As it turns out, the king turned Co into a might kingdom in six short years

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狐假虎威    wu4 gaa2 fu2 wai1

Used when a person uses another person’s authority to intimidate you.

有 一 日 ﹐ 狐 狸 係 森 林 裡 面 散 步 嘅 時 候 ﹐  見 到 咗 一 隻  好 肚 餓 嘅 大 老 虎 。 老 虎 一 跳 ﹐ 就 捉 著 咗 狐 狸 。

jau5 jat1 jat6, wu4 lei2 hai6 sam1 lam4 leoi5 min6 saan3 bou6 ge3 si4 hau6,  gin3 dou3  jat1 zek3 hou2 tou5 ngo6 ge3 daai6 lou5 fu2. Lou5 fu2 jat1 tiu3, zau6 zuk1 zyu6 zo2 wu4 lei2.

One day, a fox was in the forest taking a walk, when all of a sudden he met a hungry tiger. The tiger pounced, and caught the fox.

老 虎 就  黎 要 食 咗  狐 狸 嘅 時 候 ﹐ 狐 狸 大 聲 咁  鬧 ﹕ “你 呢 隻 老 虎 ﹐ 竟 然 敢 食 我 ﹐ 動 物 之 皇 ﹗ 你 一 食 咗 我 ﹐ 天 神 就 會 好 嬲 仲 會 黎  毀 滅 你 吖 ﹗ ”

lou5 fu2 zau6 lai4 jiu3 sik6 zo2  wu4 lei2 ge3 si4 hau6, wu4 lei2 daai6 seng1 gam3  naau6 : “nei5 ni1 zek3 lou5 fu2, ging2 jin4 gam2 sik6 ngo5, dung6 mat6 zi1 wong4! Nei5 jat1 sik6 zo2 ngo5, tin1 san4 zau6  wui5 hou2 nau1 zung6 wui5 lai4 wai2 mit6 nei5 aa1!”

The tiger was about to eat the fox, but the fox began to scold loudly, “How dare you attempt to eat me, the king of all animals! Once you eat me, the gods will become very angry and destroy you!”

老 虎  就 話 ﹕ “我 先 至 係  動 物 之 皇 ﹐ 你 係 度 亂 講 乜 嘢 ﹖

” lou5 fu2  zau6 waa6: “ngo5 sin1 zi3  hai6 dung6 mat6 zi1 wong4, nei5 hai6 dou6 lyun6 gong2  mat1 je5?”

The tiger replied, “I’m the king of all animals. What are you talking about?”

狐 狸 話 ：“你 唔  信 嘅 話 ﹐ 你 就 跟 住 我 係 森 林 裡 面 行 一 圈﹐ 睇 下 動 物  對 我 有 乜 嘢 反 應 ﹗ ”

 wu4 lei2 waa6 :”nei5 ng4  seon3 ge3 waa6, nei5 zau6 gan1 zyu6 ngo5 hai6 sam1 lam4 leoi5 min6 haang4 jat1 hyun1, tai2 haa6  dong6 mat6 deoi3 ngo5 jau5 mat1 je5 faan2 jing3!”

If you don’t believe me, follow me for a walk in the forest, and see how the animals respond to me!”

老 虎 應 承 咗 佢﹐ 佢 地 就 開 始 行 啦 。 過 咗 一 陣 ﹐ 佢 地 見 到  一  班 兔 仔 。 兔 仔 睇 到 狐 狸 後 面 嘅 老 虎 ﹐ 就 非 常 之 驚 ﹐ 全 部  走  。

 lou5 fu2 jing1 sing4 jing3 zo2 keoi5, keoi5 dei6  zau6 hoi1 ci2 hang4 laa1/3. guo3 zo2 jat1 zan6, keoi5 dei6 gin3 dou3 jat1  baan1 tou3 zi2. tou3 zi2 tai2 dou3 wu4 lei2 hau6 min6 ge3 lou5 fu2, zau6 fei1 soeng4 zi1 geng1, cyun4 bou6 zau2.

The tiger agreed, and they started walking. After a while, they saw a herd of rabbits. The rabbits, seeing a fox with a tiger behind him, all became very afraid and ran away.

呢 個 時 候 ﹐ 狐 狸 就 同  老 虎 講 ﹕ “你 睇 ﹗ 兔 仔 一 見 到 我 就 向 各 方 向 奔 走 咗 。 我 問 你 而 家 仲 係 咪 唔  信 我 係 動 物 之 皇 ﹗ ”

ni1 go3 si4 hau6, wu4 lei2 zau6 tung4 lou5 fu2 gong2: “nei5 tai2! tou3 zi2 jat1 gin3 dou3 ngo5 zau6 hoeng3 gok3 fong1 hoeng3 ban1 zau2 zo2. Ngo5 man6 nei5 ji4 gaa1 zung6 hai6 mai1 ng4 seon3 ngo5 hai6 dung6 mat6 zi1 wong4!”

At this point, the fox said to the tiger, “You see! The rabbits began running in all directions the moment they say me. I ask you if you still don’t believe I am the king of all animals!”

 老 虎 好 驚 ﹐ 就 即 刻 逃 走 咗 。 lou5 fu2 hou2  geng1,  zik1 hak1 tou4 zau2 zo2.

The tiger was very nervous, and immediately escaped.

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武則天 係西元六二四年出世，係中國唯一嘅女皇帝. 佢阿爸係一個木材商人，係隋朝未年幫唐高祖李淵打天下，成為開國功臣。武則天十四歲果時，因為才貌雙全而選為才人,但係一直得唔倒唐太宗嘅寵愛，可能同佢強烈嘅性恪有關係。_

Mou Zak Tin was born in 624 A.C.. She was the only female Emperor of China in history. Her dad was a lumber merchant. In the late Sui Dynasty, he helped Lee Yuen, who was the first of emperor of China(唐高祖) in the Tong Dynasty. He later obtained governing power of the whole China and became one of the courtiers. When Mou Zaktin was 14, she was selected to be preparatory concubine (才人)because of her beauty and wisdom. However, she did not get the love of Lei Sai Man,probably because of her strong temper.

傳聞話有一次， 唐太宗為左一匹好難馴服嘅馬而煩惱,武則天就同唐太宗講話佢有好辦法。唐太宗好好奇咁樣問武則天，武則天就用堅定的語氣講：我先用鐵鞭抽打佢，如果佢仲唔聽話，我就用利劍插佢喉嚨, 佢會永遠都聽話。

Rumor has it that one time, Tong Taaizung was vexed for not being able to tame a spirited horse. Mo Zaktin then said she had a suggestion. Since Tong Taaizung was very curious he asked for Mou Zaktin’s suggestion. She firmly said : I will first use an iron whip to beat it, if it is still disobedient, then I will use a sharp sword to cut its throat. It will then be obedient forever.

唐太宗聽完之後，就係咁搖頭”嘆”! 自此之後，武則天就被人泠落。唐太宗過生之後，武則天被人送左入去尼姑庵裡面削髮為尼。但係啱啱豋基嘅唐高宗原來係佢嘅舊情人，就將武則天接番入宮，仲將佢封為 ”昭儀”。

After hearing that, Tong Taaizung shook his head in admiration. From then on, Mou Zaktin was ignored. After Tong Taaizung passed away, Mou Zaktin was sent to Buddhist nunnery to be a Buddhist nun. However, the next king 唐高宗 was actually her ex-lover. She was brought back to the Palace and entitled as 昭儀

番返入宮嘅武則天，處心積慮想掌握大權, 佢殺左啱啱出世嘅親生囡，而去嫁禍比王皇后，唐高宗好嬲就廢左王皇后，而立武則天做皇后。武則天就為左鞏固自己嘅權力，將唔聽佢話嘅人一個個剷除，就計畫代替唐高宗處理朝政，跟住掌握大權._

After returning to the Palace, she planned to get power by any means. She killed her own baby daughter, and shift the blame to Queen Wong. Tong Gouzung , very angrily disentitled Queen Wong and entitled Mou Zaktin to be the Queen. To solidify her power, MouZaktin had to eliminate each and everyone who opposed her, so she planned to help the king handle the affairs of state, thereby gaining authority.

武則天尊稱唐高宗做”天皇” 而自己就叫 ”天后”。後黎，唐高宗身體唔舒服就上唔到朝，朝廷嘅大權就等於完全落左係武則天嘅手上。唐高宗死左之後，雖然由太子繼位，但是仍然由武則天聽政。 西元六九零年，武則天全力排除異已，最後仲奪取政權,改國號 ”周”，仲自立為王，成為中國歷史上唯一嘅女皇帝。

She called Tong Gouzung “heavenly emperor” and called herself “heavenly queen”. After that, Tong Gouzung’s health was not good and he failed to cope with court’s affairs. Then the imperial government power fell entirely into Mou Zaktin’s hands. After Tung Gouzung died, even though the prince succeeded him, he listened to what Mou Zaktin said on the affairs of state. In 690A.D., Mou Zaktin ,with all her strength, eliminated all her opponents and seized all political power. Then she changed the dynasty name to Zau, and entitled herself as the emperor, becoming the one and only one female emperor in the Chinese history.

佢係 爭權奪利嘅過桯中，手段兇殘，但係係治國方面都幾有成就。武則天從來都唔計較個人嘅出身，只要有能力，一定會重用。咁樣對當時嘅社會穩定同埋經濟發展,都有好大嘅貢獻。而呢班精英亦都係之後創造唐朝”開元之治”嘅重要關鍵.

To scramble for power, she used fierce means, but she still had good achievements in managing states affairs. Mou Zaktin never fussed about one’s class origin. So long as one was capable, he would certainly be put in an important position. This contributed to social stability and economic growth. This elite group later had a major role in creating Tong’s Dynasty era called 開元之治 (Reign of Hoijyun)

西元七零五年，做左皇帝十五年嘅武則天，最後臥病在床。宰相張柬之趁呢個機會發動政變，請武則天退位，還政於唐中宗。唐中宗繼位之後，尊稱武則天做聖皇帝。而武則天自知時日無多，要求改稱 ”則天大聖皇后”。果然沒幾耐就死左,享年八十二歲。

 In 705A.D., having being an empress for 15 years, Mou Zaktin was confined to bed due an illness.. The prime minister Zoeng Gannzi staged a coup asking Mou Zaktin to abdicate and give the power back to Tong Zungzung (唐中宗). After being the emperor, he entitled her as 聖皇帝. However, knowing that she had not much time left, she insisted to change her title to “Holy Zaktin Empress” and her request was approved. As expected, not long after,she died,at the age of 82.

武則天為左爭權奪利而不擇手段，就連而家嘅人都唔能夠認同，但係佢嘅治國謀略同才華就非常出色。武則天係稱帝期間，提出好多治國方針同用人唯才嘅方法，佢嘅豋基，並沒有危害唐朝嘅國本，反而建立良好嘅制度，等唐朝順利咁樣進入第二個黃金時期。

Mou Zaktin scrambled for the power by any means, which people still cannot accept now. Nevertheless, her wisdom and governing strategies were remarkable. During the time Mou Zaktin was the empress, she introduced a number of national policies and means of enrolling talents. Her administration did not jeopardize the foundation of Tong Dynasty administration. On the contrary, it established a good system, leading successfully Tong Dynasty into the second golden era.

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I’ve been learning Cantonese for about 1year and 3 months,though these last 3 months have not been very productive since I’m not in Hong Kong anymore and somehow my motivation seems to have fade away.I decided to record myself so that  in the future I can see how much progress I’ve made. I normally don’t do  this kind of stuff because I don’t quite like hearing my own voice when speaking a foreign language.From my own ears it sounds great,however, when I listen to the recording I get so frustrated that it takes me 1 or 2 days to recover.Interestingly enough, this time I think it sounds ok. I mean, my pronunciation is far from accurate and tone mistakes are more than common, but it doesn’t bother me that much anymore. I think I’m finally getting over this whole issue.I thought it would be helpful if I put a transcript,because it might be kind of difficult to understand my broken Cantonese. I hope you can all understand what I’m saying. Comments are welcome!

哈佬  我叫馬些路

舊年我去左香港參加交換計劃,跟住開始學廣東話。我覺得中文好有趣不過學廣東話嘅時侯搵唔到好嘅材料，所以我決定問我啲朋友幫手錄呢啲故事。我希望大家會鐘意！如果你有問題或者建議你可以寫信俾我。 好啦 拜拜

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自相矛盾 zi6 soeng1 maau4 teon5

Indicates a contradiction or inconsistency in one’s speech,actions,or manner。Sometimes shortened to just 矛盾.

一 個 賣 兵 器 嘅 商 人 去 到  一 個 小 鎮 ﹐ 對 嗰 度 d 居 民 推 廣 自 己 嘅 商 品 ﹕ “我 d 長 矛 係 天 下 最 銳 利 嘅 ﹐ 乜 嘢吉 都 可 以 吉 穿 。 ”

jat1 go3 maai6 bing1 hei3 ge3 soeng1 jan4 dou3 liu5 jat1 go3 siu2 zan3, deoi3 go2 dou6 di geoi1 man4 teoi1 gwong2 zi6 gei2 ge3 soeng1 ban2: “ngo5 di coeng4 maau4 hai6 tin1 haa6 zeoi3 jeoi6 lei6 ge3, mat1 je5 dou1 ho2 ji5 gat1 cyun1.

An arms merchant came to a village, and started selling his goods to the villagers there, saying, “My spears are the sharpest in the world. They can pierce anything!”

過 咗 一 陣 ﹐ 佢 拿 起 一 個 盾 牌 話 ﹕“ 呢 個 盾 牌 係 非 常 堅 固 嘅 ﹐ 冇 武 器 能 夠 吉 穿 佢 。 ”

gwo3 zo2 jat1 zan6, keoi5 naa4 hei2 jat1 go3 teon5 paai4 waa6: “ni1 go3 teon5 paai4 hai6 fei1 soeng4 gin1 gu3 ge3, mou5 mou5 hei3 nang4 gau3 gat1 cyun1 keoi5.

After a while, he picked up a shield and said, “This shield is very sturdy. No weapon can pierce through it.”

一 個 聰 明 嘅 旁 觀 者 就 問 ﹕“ 咁 如 果 拿 天 下 最 銳 利 嘅 矛 ﹐吉 天 下 最 堅 固 嘅 盾 ﹐ 會 有 咩 結 果 呢 ﹖ ”

jat1 go3 cung1 ming4 ge3 pong4 gun1 ze2 zau6 man6: “gam3 jyu4 gwo2 naa4 tin1 haa6 zeoi3 jeoi6 lei6 ge3 maau4, gat1 tin1 haa6 zeoi3 gin1 gu3 ge3 teon5, wui5 jau5 me1 git3 gwo2 ne1?

An intelligent bystander asked, “So if I took the world’s sharpest spear, and strike it against the world’s sturdiest shield, what would happen?”

嗰 個 商 人 就 答 唔 到 呢 個 問 題 。

go3 go3 soeng1 jan4 zau6 daap3 ng4 dou3 ni1 go3 man6 tai4.

That merchant couldn’t answer this question.  

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刮目相看    gwaat3 muk6 soeng1 hon3

This idiom means to rub your eyes and take a fresh look at somebody after not seeing them for a while. Usually denotes an improvement in the person, so now you must reassess them.

三 國 時 代 嘅 吳 國 ﹐ 有 一 位 大 將 軍 叫 呂 蒙 。 呂 蒙 細 個 個 陣 屋 企 好 窮 ﹐無　受 過 好 嘅 教 育 。

saam1 gwok3 si4 doi6 ge3 ng4 gwok3, jau5 jat1 wai2 daai6 gun1 giu3 leoi5 mung4. leoi5 mung4 sai3 go3 go3 zan6 uk1 kei5 hou2 kung4, mou4 sau6 gwo3 hou2 ge3 gaau5 juk6.

In the Three Kingdom’s Period’s Ng (Wu) kingdom, there was a general named Leoi Mung. Leoi Mung was born into a very poor family, and so never had a good education.

吳 國 國 王 孫 權 覺 得 呂 蒙 生 為 一 個 大 官 ﹐ 需 要 有 良 好　嘅　知 識 ﹐ 所 以 請 佢 讀 書 增 進 學 問 。 呂 蒙 每 日 就 撥 出 一 啲 時 間 來 睇 書 。

ng4 gwok3 gwok3 wong4 syun1 kyun4 gok3 dak1 leoi5 mung4 sang1 wai4 jat1 go3 daai6 gun1, seoi1 jiu3 jau5 loeng4 hou2 ge3 zi1 sik1, so2 ji3 cing2 keoi5 duk6 syu1 zang1 zeon3 hok6 man6. leoi5 mung4 mui5 jat6 zau6 but6 ceot1 jat1 se1 si4 gaan3 loi4 hon3 syu1.

The king of Ng, Syun Kyun, felt that being a general, Leoi Mung ought to have good knowledge of things, and so asked him to further his studies and understanding. Leoi Mung then started to set aside some time everyday to read books.

有 一 次 ﹐ 大 臣 魯 肅 揾 呂 蒙 傾 野 ﹐ 發 現 佢 講 野 好 有 道 理 ﹐ 比 以 前 有 好 大 嘅 進 步 ﹐於是 就 對 佢 講﹕“你 已 唔 係 以 前 嘅吳 下 阿 蒙 啦。 ”

jau5 jat1 ci3, daai6 san4 lou5 suk1 wan2 leoi5 mung4 king1 je5, faat3 jin6 keoi5 gong2 je5 hou2 jau5 dou6 lei5, bei2 ji5 cin4 jau5 hou2 daai6 ge3 zeon3 bou6, deoi3 keoi5 gong2: “nei5 ji5 ng4 hai6 ji5 cin4 ge3 ng4 haa6 aa3 mung4 laa1/3.”

One day, the lord Lou Suk came to have a discussion with Leoi Mung, and discovered that he had logic in his speech, and was much improved from before. He said to Leoi Mung, “You are no longer A-Mung under the Ng now.”

呂 蒙 就 答 話 ﹕ “士 別 三 日 ﹐ 就 要 刮 目 相 睇 呀 ﹗”

leoi5 mung4 zau6 daap3 waa6: “si6 bit6 saam1 jat6, zau6 jiu3 gwaat3 muk6 soeng1 hon3 aa3!”

Leoi Mung replied, “Having separated three days, one should rub one’s eyes and take a fresh look!

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Nowadays, it’s quite common for many Hong Kong people to mispronounce some words in Cantonese,causing some misunderstanginds every once in while.This phenomenon is called lazy Cantonese, and it’s getting more and more common. I was taking a look in the South China Morning Post website and I found this interview with a tutor who teaches native speakers how to correct their Cantonese. I tried to download the file from the SCMP website, but you can only listen to it online.As I couldn’t download the file, I figured that I could use my mp3 player to record it and then upload it.I apologize for the bad sound quality.Anyways, I hope you will enjoy it. 

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從前有一個窮老伯,成日都做木偶。人地有仔有女,佢就連一個都冇.

Once upon a time, there was a poor old man who made puppets day after day.Others had sons and daughters but he didn’t have even one.

呢日佢收工，有一個木偶突然之間開口，對老伯大叫爸爸，老伯好開心。

One day he had just finished his work when a puppet suddenly spoke.”Dad!”the puppet called aloud. The old man was very happy.

個仔應該有一個名，老伯就同佢改左個名叫做皮諾丘。佢又賣左件外套，同埋買左啲書同書包比皮諾丘。  

His son should have a name,so the old man named the puppet Pinocchio. He sold his thick coat to buy Pinocchio a schoolbag and some books.

爸爸話:如果你努力嘅就可以變成一個有用嘅男仔架啦!”。 皮諾丘就話啦﹕ “真係嘅?太好啦!”噉小木偶開開心心噉番學啦。

 Dad told him :”If you work hard you will become a real boy!” Pinocchio asked: “Really?That’s great!” Then Pinocchio the puppet went to school happily.

喺街上面有個木偶表演，佢對表演好好奇，就為左去參觀呢個表演就將啲書同書包賣左用嚟買飛，入場睇表演啦。

There was a puppet show in the street.He was really curious about the show.So in order to visit the show, he sold his books and schoolbag .

劇團嘅老闆就問﹕你做咩唔番學呀? 木偶就話啦“放假嘛!” 之後個鼻就越變越長。

“Why don’t you go to school?”asked the puppet master.”Holiday!”Pinocchio replied. As soon as he said that, he nose started to grow.

噉木偶就只好講番真話，個鼻就即刻變番之前敢樣呀。其中一啲木偶演員合左啲錢，比皮諾丘幫佢買嗰個書包同埋啲書。

Pinocchio had to tell the truth and his nose was back to normal immediately.The puppet actors and actresses kindly collected some money for Pinocchio to buy the books and a new schoolbag.

於是木偶就真係番學啦!喺學校佢識左好曳嘅卡羅。

So Pinocchio really began school!At school,he made friends with the naughty Carlo.

有一日，卡羅拉左木偶去玩具國。嗰度啲細路唔使番學,由朝到晚都係玩。木偶好開心。

One day,Carlo took Pinocchio to Toyland.There was no school and children could play all day long. Pinocchio was very happy.

冇幾耐,木偶就同其他細路一樣，生左一對長耳仔，變左驢仔喎。

Not long after, Pinocchio and all the other children got long ears and became donkeys!

原來喺一個馬戲團老細設計嘅陷阱。於是木偶就變左佢嘅奴隸,要日日表演。

It turned out to be a magic trap set by the circus master.Pinocchio had been taken as his slave and had to perform in the circus every day.

有一日木偶表演嘅時候，見到爸爸喺下面。佢喊住咁大叫: 爸爸

One day,Pinocchio saw his father while he was performing.”Daddy!” he cried out.

爸爸聽佢唔到，但係馬戲團嘅老細就聽到。佢好嬲,打斷左木偶雙腳。

His father didn’t hear.But the circus master did.He was very angry and beat Pinocchio’s legs till they were broken.

木偶行唔到,於是老闆就賣左比個老鼓手。老鼓手為左用驢皮佢做一個鼓,就將木偶掟落大海，想整死佢。

Pinocchio was not able to walk,therefore, the boss sold him to an old drummer.The old drummer wanted to make a drum out of the donkey’s skin.So he threw Pinocchio into the sea to drown him.

一條鯊魚游左過去，食晒啲驢肉，剩低真正嘅木偶。之後鯊魚仲一口吞左佢添。

 Some sharks swam over.They ate up all the flesh off the donkey and left the puppet,which was the real Pinocchio.After that,a big shark swallowed him.

鯊魚肚裡便好黑,佢慢慢噉向前行。突然之間見到前有都光。呀!原來係爸爸!

Inside the shark’s stomach he had to walk slwoly.Suddenly he saw there was light ahead.Oh!It was dad!

原來爸爸為左搵木偶跌左落海，結果佢仲比條鯊魚吞左落肚添。

It turned out that Pinocchio’s father fell into the sea when looking for him.And then he was swallowed by the same shark.

木偶趁住鯊魚打喊路嘅時候，帶埋爸爸係鯊魚口到走出嚟。

 Pinocchio managed to escape through a gap between the shark’s teeth while the shark was yawning.

之後佢哋浮番上水面。見到好靚嘅太陽!佢哋不斷噉游，好努力噉游埋岸邊。已經越游越近屋企啦!

Then they swan to the surface of the sea.Oh,how beautiful the sunshine was!They struggled their way to the seashore.It was not far from their house.

木偶就將自己嘅奇遇話晒比爸爸聽。爸爸聽完之後唔單之冇嬲佢。木偶覺得好內疚,的起心肝讀書，做番個好嘅細路仔。

Pinocchio told Dad all about his adventure.After his father heard him he was not angry at all.Pinocchio was truly sorry about what he had done.He made up his mind to study hard and be a good boy in the future.

木偶做番個好細路之後，喺屋企好聽爸爸話，喺學校又好努力讀書。仙女知道左之後就將木偶變成左個真正嘅男仔。老伯好開心噉話:我終於有一個真正嘅仔啦!

He had become a good boy indeed:he studied hard at school and obeyed his father at home.Seeing his change ,a fairy turned him into a real boy.”Finally,I have a real son!”The old man exclaimed in tears of joy.

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有一日,係外邊就來左一個肥仔同埋瘦仔呢兩個人好醒目,專門偷厄拐騙。

One day,two swindlers,one fat and one thin,came to the country.These two people were very clever, experts in cheating.

今次, 呢兩個人仲扮成做衫師父﹐同國王推薦話自己可以做一件世界上面獨一無二既衫.

 They pretended to be tailors,and recommended themselves to the emperor.They told the king they could weave the most unique clothes in the world.

而且佢地重要求國王,為左做呢一件衫,一定要用好多金線同埋珠寶, 先至做一到 架.國王好貪靚就即刻答應左佢地啦。

The emperor gladly invited them to the palace to begin their work.They demanded lots of pure gold thread and jewelry for the material.

過左幾日呢兩個老千就同國王講啦 :陛下! 呢件新衫唔單止高貴輕身,籲係身上面只有聰明同埋對衫好有研究既入先至睇得到嫁。」佢地兩個噉講騙子不斷讚國王飄飄。

After a few days, the swindlers told the king:”Your Majesty,the new clothes are so special that only the intellectual man fit for his job can see.”

隔左幾日之後,國王想知道新衫既製作進度, 但係又擔心萬一睇唔到件新,咁咪變左做又蠢又對衫冇研究既國王?

A few days later,the emperor wanted to know the progress of the clothes.However, he was worried about not being able to see the clothes.

於是佢就叫左一個誠實既大臣幫佢試探一下。

Therefore, he asked one of his honest minister to help him and to try out the clothes.

「大人!您睇下呢塊布_圖案幾靚!」

“Your Excellency,take a look on this beautiful pattern!”

大臣一聽到呢兩裁縫噉講就心諗啦:「奇怪啦!我點解睇唔到件衫既呢?唔通我係一個又蠢對衫又冇研究既人?」

As the official heard the tailors saying this, he though: ” Strange! Why can’t I see this cloth? Am i stupid or not fit for my job?”

大臣番左去見到國王就同佢講啦﹕d衫果然高貴! 而且仲係全世界最靚既衫布  

“Oh!It is absolutely splendid.”He went back and told the emperor he had seen the most special clothes in the world.

 國王心諗: 個個人都睇得到呢件新衫,咁我都一定睇得到啦。

The king thought :” He also could see this cloth, so of course I can.

幾日之後,國王就帶左好多個大臣去到大廳個到。 A few days later, the emperor went to the tailors with those officals who had been there.

 呢兩個騙子見到國王就即刻張開兩隻手,行到去國王面前話啦:「陛下!您睇下!呢件衫就係您要既新衫啦,靚唔靚呢?」

The two swindlers pretended they were working hard,but there in fact were doing nothing.”Your Majesty !Look!This is the new cloth that you wanted..Isn’t it pretty?”

國王一睇就驚啦 ,個兩個人手上面明唔明乜野都冇架,邊度有新衫呢?

When the king looked at it he got scared.Where is the cloth?, he thougt 國王轉個頭問身邊囓兩個大臣既意見,

He asked those officials beside him about their opinions.

兩個大臣都不約而同咁話:「實在太靚啦,咁高貴既衫只有陛下先至有資格著呀。」

They all answered with one voice,”Oh!It is really beautiful,Your Majesty.Such a noble cloth is only fit for you.”

國王一聽, 就更加滮冷汗,

On hearing that, he got even more worried.

佢心諗:「點解我睇唔到呢件新衫既呢?,唔通我真係又蠢對衫又冇研究既人? 冇可能既!我絕對唔可以比大家知道我睇唔到呢件新衫。

He thought : “Why can’t I see this this cloth?Could it be that I am really stupid and not fit(to be a king)?” “Impossible! I can’t let people now that I can’t see this cloth.

於是,國王就即刻話啦:「係呀! 果然係一件幾獨特又高貴既新衫,我好鍾意!」

So the king quicky said,”Well,they indeed are an elegant clothes.I love them.”

之後國王就照常係大街巡行,所有圍觀既人民都比嚇傻左。

When the emperor marched in procession on the street,all people were struck dumb.

一個企係側邊既細路仔就天真咁大叫啦:「哈!國王冇著衫既!」, 其他人聽到之後都民唔住笑。

 “The emperor has nothing on him!”cried out a little boy innocently.All people heard that and laughed.

就係呢個時候國王先知道,自己真係比人呃左。醜到成面紅曬,一時間都唔知點算!

At that time,the emperor found he was fooled. He felt embarrassed and didn’t know what to do.

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My name is Marcelo and I have been learning Cantonese for 1 year.One thing that has always irritated me a little bit is the lack of interesting learning material.The books I have come across so far were mostly targeting newbies and consisted in a bunch of words and phrases, like “what to say when you’re at the restaurant” or ” barganing at the market”.Frankly, I think one cannot expect to get fluent with just that.Even though there are some good books out there, they are not without flaws either.Usually, they don’t provide Chinese characters in the transcripts.We have to rely on those strange romanization systems.Not to mention the amount of English spoken in the recordings.For some reason, the people who write these books think they have to explain in detail everything that will happen in the dialogue.Because of that I decided to create my own studying material.I bought some books with some short stories and asked my friends to change them from written Cantonese to spoken Cantonese, and to record those stories too. I will be uploading these stories, as well as any other interesting thing I may stumble across.