好
hou2
The English phrase "good" can be translated into Cantonese as 好 (hou2).
The word 好 is the most common and versatile way to say "good" in Cantonese. It functions both as an adjective meaning "pleasant" or "enjoyable" and as an adverb meaning "very."
Meaning: pleasant, enjoyable (adj)
Which one should you use?
While 好 can mean 'good' (adjective), it is also the most common way to express the degree 'very' (adverb) in casual speech.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Guangdong, the term 好正 is a regional variation used to express satisfaction or contentment. In Hong Kong Cantonese, the repetition of the word 好 creates emphasis and intensifies the meaning.
How does it change in a sentence?
When placed before an adjective, 好 functions as an adverb meaning "very."
How do you pronounce it?
hou2
Did you know?
- The character 好 is a phono-semantic compound combining the radicals for 'woman' and 'son', originally suggesting that having both constituted a 'good' family.
- While 好 is the standard word for 'good', Cantonese speakers often use the English word 'good' or 'great' in code-switching, especially in Hong Kong professional environments.
- The Cantonese term 好正 (hou2 zeng3) uses a word that originally referred to 'upright' or 'straight' to mean something is 'excellent' or 'cool'.
Examples in context
- 你手字好靚。Your handwriting is very good.This sentence shows how to use 好 to describe the quality of handwriting.Tatoeba #3868869 by nickyeow, translation #2571521 by sharptoothed
- 佢騎馬好叻。He is good at riding a horse.This sentence uses 好 to express being good at an activity.Tatoeba #5387024 by nickyeow, translation #299711 by CN
- 你做得好好。You did a good job.This sentence demonstrates the use of 好好 for emphasis to describe a job well done.Tatoeba #5777471 by nickyeow, translation #707269 by CM
- 你今日好靚啊！You look beautiful today!
- 呢碗湯好正。This bowl of soup is really good.
- 106 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a movie they just watched.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung呢套戲好唔好睇？ni1 tou3 hei3 hou2 m4 hou2 tai2?Is this movie good?
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我覺得好正，好正！ngo5 gok3 dak1 hou2 zeng3, hou2 zeng3!I think it's great, really good!
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung真係好？我想去睇。zan1 hai6 hou2? ngo5 soeng2 heoi3 tai2.Is it really good? I want to watch it.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit好，我哋聽日一齊去。hou2, ngo5 dei6 ting1 jat6 jyu4 cai4 heoi3.Good, let's go together tomorrow.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
