健康
gin⁶ hong¹
The English word "healthy" can be translated into Cantonese as 健康 (gin⁶ hong¹).
The term is used to describe someone or something enjoying good health.
Meaning: enjoying good health (adj)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the Guangzhou region, the phrase 身體硬朗 is used to describe physical toughness and robust health. In Hong Kong, the phrase 元氣 is used to describe a person's energetic and healthy state, meaning "vitality".
How do you pronounce it?
gin⁶ hong¹
Did you know?
- The Cantonese concept of health is deeply tied to the balance of 'hot' and 'cold' properties in food, meaning a 'healthy' diet is often one that balances these internal states.
- Being healthy is often culturally linked to the concept of 福氣, suggesting that good health is a form of good fortune or a blessing.
- Cantonese speakers may describe a 'healthy' person by referring to their 氣色, which specifically describes the 'color' or 'glow' of their complexion as a sign of wellness.
Examples in context
- 經過幾個世紀嘅衰落，大鯨穩步噉重新繁殖過佢哋歷史悠久嘅繁殖同餵食地。 而且佢哋有健康嘅胃口。 有啲商業漁業認為啲鯨魚食咗其他嘅魚多得滯，同喺佢哋嘅利潤入面攞埋一大啖。After centuries of decline, great whales are steadily repopulating their historic breeding and feeding grounds. And they have a healthy appetite. Some commercial fisheries argue the whales are eating too many other fish and taking a big bite from their profits.This sentence shows the use of 健康 to describe a healthy appetite.Tatoeba #12908241 by Matthewyau1367, translation #12267062 by Cangarejo
- 喺醫學同製造業、教育同傳播方面，我哋正經歷緊人類生活方式嘅轉變，呢個轉變嘅規模令人回想起農業同工業嘅革命。而結果係，一個今日出世嘅人比起人類歷史上任何時期都更有可能健康、壽命更長，同埋有機會獲得機會。In medicine and in manufacturing, in education and communications, we’re experiencing a transformation of how human beings live on a scale that recalls the revolutions in agriculture and industry. And as a result, a person born today is more likely to be healthy, to live longer, and to have access to opportunity than at any time in human history.This sentence uses 健康 to describe a person who is likely to be healthy and live longer.Tatoeba #13489070 by Davidgo5867, translation #5774005 by Hybrid
- 我嘅健康狀況非常好。My health condition is excellent.
- 我希望你一生健健康康I wish you a lifetime of good health!
- 唔好食咁多垃圾食物，會影響身體健康嘅。Don't eat too much junk food, it will affect your physical health.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their new exercise routine.
- 家明 Ka Ming最近你睇落好健康喎。zeoi zan nei tai lok hou gin hong wo.You look very healthy lately.
- 美玲 Mei Ling係呀，我而家每日都運動。hai aa, ngo ji gaa mui jat dou wan dung.Yes, I exercise every day now.
- 家明 Ka Ming咁就正啦，保持健康最重要。gam zau zeng la, bau ci gin hong zeoi zung jiu.That's great, staying healthy is the most important thing.
- 美玲 Mei Ling多謝你，家明！do ze nei, gaa ming!Thank you, Ka-ming!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “healthy” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
