我好好
ngo5 hou2 hou2
In Cantonese, 'I am good' is expressed as 我好好 (ngo5 hou2 hou2).
The phrase 我好好 is a response used to say that you are doing well when someone asks how you are.
Which one should you use?
While 我好好 is a general response, other forms can be used depending on the context: 我身體很好 specifically addresses your physical well-being and the informal 我冇事 can be used to mean 'I'm fine' or 'I'm okay'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong, the colloquial expression 鬼好 is used to mean 'very good'.
How do you pronounce it?
ngo5 hou2 hou2
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to use the verb 'to be' (係 – hai6) to say 'I am good' by saying 我係好. In Cantonese, adjectives are used directly without a linking verb.
Did you know?
- The colloquial term 鬼好 uses the word for 'ghost' 鬼 to act as an intensifier meaning 'very' or 'extremely'.
- Using the phrase 我冇事 to mean 'I am fine' literally communicates 'I have no matter' or 'I have no business/affair', implying nothing is wrong.
- While 我好好 means 'I am good', Cantonese speakers often respond to 'How are you?' by asking about your eating habits or your work instead of their own well-being.
Examples in context
- 我冇事，你呢？I'm fine, and you?
Example conversation
Two friends meet at a cafe.
- 志強 Chi Keung曉彤，最近點呀？hiu2 tung4, zeoi3 gan6 dim2 aa3?Hiu Tung, how have you been lately?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我好好，你呢？ngo5 hou2 hou2, nei5 ne1?I am good, and you?
- 志強 Chi Keung我都唔之計。ngo5 dou1 m4 zi1 gai2.I'm not doing so well.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung發生咗咩事？faat3 sang1 zo2 me1 si6?What happened?
