好快
hou2 faai3
The Cantonese word for "soon" is 好快 (hou2 faai3).
好快 is used as an adverb to describe something happening within a short amount of time.
Meaning: within a short time (adv)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 好 (very) and 快 (fast/quick).
Which one should you use?
While 好快 means "soon" (within a short time), 即刻 means "immediately" or "right now".
How does it change in a sentence?
In many sentences, the adverb 好快 is followed by the particle 就 to indicate that an action will happen shortly after a certain point or as a consequence.
How do you pronounce it?
hou2 faai3
Did you know?
- Cantonese has a specific term 快快手, meaning 'fast hands', used to tell someone to finish a task 'soon' or quickly.
- In Cantonese, 好 typically means 'good', but when used in 好快, it acts as a degree adverb meaning 'very'.
- In some contexts, 快 can describe a person's temperament as 'quick-tempered' rather than just their speed of movement.
Examples in context
- 佢好快就會嚟㗎喇。He will come soon.This sentence shows how to use 好快 to describe someone arriving soon.Tatoeba #394255 by nickyeow, translation #394248 by CK
- 佢好快就會返嚟㗎喇。He will be back soon.This sentence demonstrates using 好快 to indicate someone will be back soon.Tatoeba #618186 by nickyeow, translation #290243 by CK
- 跟住我好快就瞓著咗喇。Soon after that, I began to fall asleep.This sentence illustrates the use of 好快 to describe an action occurring soon after another event.Tatoeba #387614 by nickyeow, translation #48109 by CK
- 我會快啲返嚟。I will come back soon.
- 聖誕節差唔多到啦！Christmas is almost here!
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Ka Yan and Ka Ming are waiting for a food delivery.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan外賣好快就到喇。ngoi maai hou faai zau dou laa.The delivery will be here soon.
- 家明 Ka Ming我真係好肚餓。ngo zan hai hou tou ngo.I am really hungry.
- 嘉欣 Ka Yan睇下個App，佢好快就到。tai ha go app, keoi hou faai zau dou.Look at the app, he will arrive soon.
- 家明 Ka Ming好，我準備好餐具。hou, ngo zun bei hou caan geoi.Okay, I'll get the cutlery ready.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
