開心啲
hoi1 sam1 di1
To say 'be happy' in Cantonese, you use 開心啲 (hoi1 sam1 di1).
開心啲 is a phrase used to encourage someone to feel more cheerful or positive. While the term 開心 (hoi1 sam1) refers to a temporary state of being cheerful or having fun, the term 快樂 (faai3 lok6) is used to describe a more profound, long-term sense of happiness or bliss.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'happy more', where 啲 (di1) functions as 'more' or 'a bit' to soften the command.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the opposite, 'don't be unhappy', you can use 唔好唔開心 (m4 hou2 m4 hoi1 sam1). You can also add the sentence-final particle 啦 (laa1) to the end of 開心啲 to make the phrase sound like a gentle suggestion or encouragement rather than a blunt command.
How do you pronounce it?
hoi1 sam1 di1
Did you know?
- While 開心 means 'happy', the characters themselves literally mean 'open heart'.
- To express a deep, lifelong happiness, Cantonese speakers might use the phrase 幸福 (sing1 fuk6), which focuses on the stability of one's life rather than a fleeting mood.
- While 開心啲 encourages cheerfulness, the word 快樂 is typically reserved for formal occasions, such as wishing someone a 'happy' birthday or new year.
Examples in context
- 祝你快樂I wish you a happy life.
- 開心啲Let's go out and have some fun, be happy!
- 更開心啲Be even happier!
- 你要開心啲呀。nei5 jiu3 hoi1 sam1 di1 aa3.You should be a bit happier.
- 唔好再諗，開心啲啦！m4 hou2 zoi3 sam2, hoi1 sam1 di1 laa1!Stop thinking about it and be happier!
- 見到你開心啲就好喇。gin3 dou3 nei5 hoi1 sam1 di1 zau6 hou2 laa3.It's good to see you being a bit happier.
Example conversation
Meiling is trying to comfort her friend Chi Keung after a bad day.
- 美玲 Mei Ling志強，唔好咁唔開心呀。zi3 koeng4, m4 hou2 gam3 m4 hoi1 sam1 aa3.Chi Keung, don't be so unhappy.
- 志強 Chi Keung我真係好唔開心。ngo5 zan1 hai6 hou2 m4 hoi1 sam1.I am really unhappy.
- 美玲 Mei Ling放低啲啦，開心啲啦！fong3 dai1 di1 laa1, hoi1 sam1 di1 laa1!Let it go, be happier!
- 志強 Chi Keung好啦，我會試下。hou2 laa1, ngo5 wui5 si3 haa5.Okay, I will try.
