你好，你好嗎？
nei5 hou2, nei5 hou2 maa1?
The English phrase "hi, how are you?" is translated into Cantonese as 你好，你好嗎？ (nei5 hou2, nei5 hou2 maa1?)
This phrase is a common greeting used to say hello and ask about someone's well-being. The first part, 你好, functions as "hello" or "hi", while the second part, 你好嗎？, is a way to ask "How are you?" While 你好嗎？ is grammatically correct, it often implies a more formal tone or a genuine inquiry into a person's well-being rather than a casual greeting used between close friends.
What does it mean word for word?
The greeting 你好 is composed of 你 (you) and 好 (good/well).
How do you pronounce it?
nei5 hou2, nei5 hou2 maa1?
When do people say it?
In Cantonese culture, asking 食咗飯未？ (Have you eaten yet?) is a very common way to greet someone and show care, often serving the same social function as 'How are you?'
Did you know?
- The character 好 used in 你好 is composed of two radicals: 'woman' and 'child', reflecting an ancient cultural view of what constitutes 'good' or 'harmony'.
- In very casual settings, Cantonese speakers might skip the formal greeting entirely and simply ask 去邊呀？ ('Where are you going?') as a way of saying 'hi'.
- Responding to 你好嗎？ with a simple 'good' is common, but a more culturally nuanced answer often involves a humble denial of being 'too good' to avoid appearing boastful.
Examples in context
- 嗨！最近點呀？Hi! How have you been?
- 你好，你好嗎？好耐冇見。nei5 hou2, nei5 hou2 maa1? hou2 noi5 mou5 gin3.Hi, how are you? Long time no see.
Example conversation
Two friends meet on the street.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan家明，你好，你好嗎？ga1 ming4, nei5 hou2, nei5 hou2 ma1?Ka Ming, hi, how are you?
- 家明 Ka Ming我幾好，你呢？ngo5 gei2 hou2, nei5 ne1?I'm quite good, and you?
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan我都好。你去邊度呀？ngo5 dou1 hou2. nei5 heoi3 bin1 dou6 aa3?I'm good too. Where are you going?
- 家明 Ka Ming我去買嘢。ngo5 heoi3 maai5 je5.I'm going shopping.
