好高興認識你
hou2 gou1 hing3 jing6 sik1 nei5
好高興認識你 (hou2 gou1 hing3 jing6 sik1 nei5) is the Cantonese way to say 'nice to meet you'.
This phrase is a polite expression used to greet someone for the first time. While it translates to 'nice to meet you', it is often used in slightly more formal or polite social introductions rather than casual street greetings.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase literally translates to 'very happy to know/meet you'. The word 好 functions here as an adverb meaning 'very' to modify the adjective 高興. The verb 認識 specifically refers to the act of getting to know or being acquainted with someone, and 你 is the standard singular 'you' used in this phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
hou2 gou1 hing3 jing6 sik1 nei5
Did you know?
- Because Cantonese is a tonal language, saying 你 ('you') with the wrong pitch can make it sound like the word for 'duck' or 'stink' depending on the dialect and tone used.
- In highly formal Hong Kong introductions, the phrase may be replaced by 幸會 ('sing wui'), which literally means 'fortunate meeting' and carries a much weightier tone.
- When saying 好高興認識你 in a business context, it is common to accompany the phrase with a slight nod or a double-handed handshake to show extra respect.
Examples in context
- 我今日好高興認識你。Nice to meet you today.This sentence is useful for expressing that you are happy to meet someone today using the phrase 好高興認識你.Tatoeba #1079294 by tigro1973, translation #6403794 by alishalikescats
- 幸會幸會，我係XX，好開心識到你。Nice to meet you! I'm XX, and I'm delighted to meet you.
- 好開心識到你！以後我哋可唔可以成為好朋友？I'm so happy to meet you! Can we be good friends in the future?
- 好高興認識你。hou2 gou1 hing3 jas6 sik1 nei5.Nice to meet you.
- 今日好高興認識你。gam1 jat6 hou2 gou1 hing3 jas6 sik1 nei5.It is very nice to meet you today.
Example conversation
Two people meet for the first time at a social gathering.
- 美玲 Mei Ling你好，我係美玲，好高興認識你。nei5 hou2, ngo5 hai6 mei5 ling4, hou2 gou1 hing3 jas6 sik1 nei5.Hello, I am Mei Ling, nice to meet you.
- 家明 Ka Ming你好，美玲，我係家明。nei5 hou2, mei5 ling4, ngo5 hai6 kaa1 ming4.Hello, Mei Ling, I am Ka Ming.
- 美玲 Mei Ling好高興認識你，家明。hou2 gou1 hing3 jas6 sik1 nei5, kaa1 ming4.Nice to meet you, Ka Ming.
- 家明 Ka Ming亦都係，好高興認識你。jik6 dou1 hai6, hou2 gou1 hing3 jas6 sik1 nei5.Same here, nice to meet you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
