你好，你好嗎？
nei5 hou2, nei5 hou2 maa3?
The English phrase "hello how are you" is translated into Cantonese as 你好，你好嗎？ (nei5 hou2, nei5 hou2 maa3?)
你好，你好嗎？ is a common greeting used to initiate a conversation and inquire about another person's well-being.
What does it mean word for word?
The first part of the phrase, 你好, literally translates to "you good".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual settings, Cantonese speakers often use 喂 (hey / hello) instead of the more formal 你好 to get someone's attention or say hello.
How do you pronounce it?
nei5 hou2, nei5 hou2 maa3?
Did you know?
- While 你好 means 'you good', Cantonese speakers often skip the greeting entirely and ask 食咗飯未? (Have you eaten yet?) as a way to say 'hello'.
- If you use the formal 你好 with a close friend or a sibling, it might actually sound strange or even slightly cold, as it creates an unnecessary distance.
- In Hong Kong, you will often hear people blend Cantonese greetings with English. It is common to start a conversation with 'Hello' or 'Hi' even when the rest of the sentence is entirely in Cantonese.
Examples in context
- 你好，你好嗎？好耐冇見。nei5 hou2, nei5 hou2 maa1? hou2 noi5 mou5 gin3.Hello, how are you? Long time no see.
Example conversation
Two friends meeting at a cafe.
- 子健 Tsz Kin美玲，你好，你好嗎？mei5 ling4, nei5 hou2, nei5 hou2 ma1?Meiling, hello, how are you?
- 美玲 Mei Ling我好好，你呢？ngo5 hou2 hou2, nei5 ne1?I am very well, and you?
- 子健 Tsz Kin我也很好，謝謝。ngo5 yaa5 han2 hou2, ze6 jai3.I am also very well, thank you.
- 美玲 Mei Ling很高興見到你。hen2 gou1 hing3 gin3 dou3 nei5.It is very nice to see you.
