憎
zang¹
The English phrase 'hate' is translated into Cantonese as 憎 (zang¹). Wiktionary also lists 好憎 (hou² zang¹).
Meaning: to dislike intensely (verb)
Ways to say it
| Cantonese | Romanization (Wiktionary) |
|---|---|
| 憎 | zang¹ |
| 好憎 | hou² zang¹ |
The verb 憎 is used to express intense dislike or hatred toward someone or something.
Which one should you use?
While 憎 expresses a strong, intense hatred, you might use 唔鍾意 if you simply want to say you 'don't like' something in a much milder way. The form 好憎 is used specifically to express that you hate something a lot or very much.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the colloquial phrase 好憎, the part 好 (hou2) acts as an intensifier meaning 'very' or 'really', indicating a high degree of hatred.
How do you pronounce it?
zang¹
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, 憎 can be used as a term of endearment to describe a 'love-hate' relationship, often used by parents toward children who are mischievous but beloved.
- There is a linguistic distinction in Cantonese between 憎 (hatred toward a person) and 恨 (a hatred fueled by resentment or a desire for revenge).
- The intensifier 好 in 好憎 literally means 'good', which creates a linguistic paradox where 'good' is used to scale the level of a negative emotion.
Examples in context
- 你做咩咁憎阿Tom唧？Why do you hate Tom so much?This sentence shows how to use 憎 to ask why someone hates a person.Tatoeba #6108453 by nickyeow, translation #1886494 by CK
- 我好憎佢頂帽。I hate her hat.This sentence uses 好憎 to express a strong dislike for a specific object.Tatoeba #2479218 by dngzz1, translation #3605515 by sarefo
- 我好討厭這個地方I really hate this place.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a mutual acquaintance.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan你係咪好憎嗰個新同事？nei5 hai6 mai6 hou2 zang1 go2 go3 san1 tung4 saat6?Do you really hate that new colleague?
- 子健 Tsz Kin唔係憎，只係覺得佢好奇怪。m4 hai6 zang1, zi2 hai6 gok3 dak1 keoi5 hou2 kwai4 gwaai3.I don't hate him, I just think he's very strange.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan但係你見到佢就皺眉。daan6 hai6 nei5 gin3 dou2 keoi5 zau6 zau3 mei4.But you frown whenever you see him.
- 子健 Tsz Kin我真係好憎佢把聲。ngo5 zan1 hai6 hou2 zang1 keoi5 ba2 seng1.I actually really hate his voice.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hate” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
