好運
hou2 wan6
The Cantonese phrase for "good fortune" is 好運 (hou2 wan6).
好運 is used to describe the concept of having good luck. It is more commonly used as a noun or an adjective in a sentence rather than a standalone greeting like 'good luck' (祝你好運).
Meaning: Translations (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of 好 (hou2), meaning 'good' and 運 (wan6), meaning 'luck' or 'fortune'.
Which one should you use?
Compared to the more formal or auspicious term 吉利 (gat1 lei6), which is often used in festive greetings, 好運 is a more direct way to describe the concept of luck itself.
How do you pronounce it?
hou2 wan6
Did you know?
- Unlike the English concept of 'bad luck', Cantonese speakers might describe a run of bad fortune as 倒運 (dou6 wan6), which literally means 'upside down luck' or 'luck turned over'.
- While 好運 refers to luck, Cantonese speakers often use the term 好彩 (hou2 coi2) for 'good luck' in casual conversation, where 'fortune' is literally translated as 'good colored/luck'.
- The term 運 (wan6) is also the root for 'transportation' or 'to carry' in many Chinese languages, suggesting that fortune is something that is 'carried' or 'moved' toward you.
Examples in context
- 佢真係有好運。keoi5 zan1 hai6 jau5 hou2 wan6.He really has good fortune.
Example conversation
Ka Ming and Mei Ling are talking about a job interview.
- 美玲 Mei Ling家明，聽日面試加油！ga1 ming4, ting1 jat6 min6 si3 gaa1 jau2!Ka Ming, good luck with the interview tomorrow!
- 家明 Ka Ming多謝你，希望我有好運。do1 ze6 nei5, hei1 mong4 ngo5 jau5 hou2 wan6.Thank you, I hope I have good fortune.
- 美玲 Mei Ling你準備得咁好，一定得。nei5 zeon2 bei6 dak1 gam3 hou2, jat1 ding6 dak1.You prepared so well, you'll definitely get it.
- 家明 Ka Ming希望如此。hei1 mong4 jyu4 ci2.I hope so.
