5 in Cantonese = 五 (ng⁵)

The number 5 in Cantonese is 五 (ng) pronounced "ng" (like the ending of "sing") with a low rising tone (tone 5).

Quick Answer

Pronunciation

Ng (五) with tone 5:

• Say "ng" - JUST the nasal sound
• No vowel, just the "ng"
• Start low and rise slightly (tone 5)
• Like the end of "sing" without the "si"

This is challenging:

• No vowel before or after
• Pure nasal consonant
• Unique to Cantonese

Tone 5: Low rising (23) - start low, rise slightly

Common mistakes:

• Adding a vowel like "ung" or "ing"
• Not making it nasal enough
• Using wrong tone

Practical Usage

Counting: ...四、五、六... (sei³, ng⁵, luk⁶...) Phone numbers: 5 = 五 (ng⁵) Prices: $5 = 五蚊 (ng⁵ man¹) Times: 5:00 = 五點 (ng⁵ dim²)

Common Phrases

第五 (dai⁶ ng⁵): Fifth 五個 (ng⁵ go³): Five (items)

Quick Takeaways

• 5 = 五 (ng⁵)
• Tone 5: low rising
• Pure nasal sound "ng"
• No vowel, just nasal consonant
• Challenging for English speakers
• Jyutping: ng⁵

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TravelNum shows you how numbers are pronounced in Cantonese.