我好開心
ngo5 hou2 hoi1 sam1
我好開心 (ngo5 hou2 hoi1 sam1) is the Cantonese way to say "I am happy".
This phrase is used to express that you are feeling joy or pleasure.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to "I very happy". The word 好 means "very" or "very much" and is used to link the subject to the adjective.
Which one should you use?
While 我好開心 is the standard way to express being happy, 我好高興 is a more formal or slightly more intense way to express being pleased or elated.
Is it said differently in some regions?
我好開心 is widely spoken in Hong Kong.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the phrase 我好開心, the word 好 functions as an adverb meaning "very" and serves to link the subject to the adjective, replacing the need for a verb like "to be".
How do you pronounce it?
ngo5 hou2 hoi1 sam1
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to use the verb "to be" (係) to say "I am happy" (such as saying 我係好開心). Instead, you should use an adverb like 好 directly before the adjective.
Did you know?
- In Cantonese, the word 開心 (hoi1 sam1) literally means 'opening the heart'.
- Adding the particle 㗎 to the end of 我好開心㗎 can change the tone to imply 'I really am happy, you know', often used to defend one's mood.
- The character 心 for 'heart' appears in many Cantonese words for emotions, as the heart is traditionally viewed as the seat of both thought and feeling.
Examples in context
- 我好開心喎!I'm very happy!
- 我好開心見到你I am so happy to see you!
- 我好開心。ngo5 hou2 hoi1 sam1.I am very happy.
- 見到你，我好開心。gin3 dou2 nei5, ngo5 hou2 hoi1 sam1.I am so happy to see you.
- 今日收到禮物，我好開心。gam1 jat1 sau1 dou2 lai5 mat6, ngo5 hou2 hoi1 sam1.I am very happy to receive a gift today.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a job promotion.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting恭喜你升職！gung1 hei2 nei5 sing1 zik1Congratulations on your promotion!
- 俊傑 Chun Kit多謝！我好開心。do1 ze6! ngo5 hou2 hoi1 sam1Thanks! I am very happy.
- 雅婷 Nga Ting我哋今晚去慶祝啦。ngo5 dei6 gam1 maan5 heoi3 hing6 zuk1 laa1Let's go celebrate tonight.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit好啊，我請你！hou2 aa1, ngo5 cing2 nei5Sure, my treat!
