How to Reply to Clients in English When You Think in Cantonese
A 5-step system to write with confidence, not stress
If your brain naturally thinks in Cantonese, you don't need to "become a native speaker" to send good English emails. You just need a system.
Many Hong Kong professionals spend 15-20 minutes on simple emails because they're trying to translate word-by-word. This framework changes that.
Step 1: Draft the real message in 廣東話
When a client email comes in, first write down what you honestly want to say—in Cantonese. Do this on paper, in a note, or directly in your drafting tool. Don't worry about English yet. Focus on:
- What happened
- What you need from the client
- Any key dates, numbers, or decisions
Example draft:
客戶問點解 delay，其實係佢哋自己遲咗俾資料。要佢哋確認新 timeline，同埋問可唔可以加多少少 budget。
This step respects how your mind works instead of fighting it.
Step 2: Build a simple English skeleton
Next, map your Cantonese points to a basic English email structure:
- Greeting: Hi [Name],
- One sentence: Why you're writing
- Short paragraph/bullets: The key information
- Clear ask: What you need from them
- Polite closing: Thank you, [Your Name]
Even with simple English, this structure helps the client grasp your point immediately.
Step 3: Translate the intent, not just the words
Now, review for cultural tone. In English business writing, clarity is kindness. Check for:
- Soft refusals that may be missed (e.g. 「有啲難度」 should become something like "Unfortunately, we won't be able to do this under the current terms.")
- Vague timelines (“好快”) that need specific dates.
- Direct questions that could soften (“可以嗎？” → "Could you please…?").
This is where understanding which Cantonese phrases don't translate directly becomes crucial. Rewrite these lines so they are both clear and respectful for someone who doesn't share your cultural background.
Step 4: Use tools to polish, not to guess
Instead of manually fixing every phrase, use a tool designed for this jump. Paste your Cantonese draft into CantoLingo. It will:
- Keep your original meaning intact
- Suggest natural, polite English phrasing
- Match the tone to the situation (formal, friendly, apologetic)
You stay in control of the message; the tool handles the language packaging.
Step 5: Build your "go-to" reply library
Save the polished English versions of your most common replies: follow-ups, delay notices, price quotes, scope changes, and so on. Your process becomes:
Cantonese idea → CantoLingo → tweak → save as template
Soon, you'll have a playbook. Replying in English will feel less like a stressful exam and more like running a familiar, winning play—all while thinking comfortably in Cantonese from the very start.
This 5-step system is the foundation. CantoLingo is built to make Steps 2, 3, and 5 effortless.
Ready to build your playbook?
Start your first draft with CantoLingo and transform your Cantonese thoughts into professional English emails.