驚喜
ging1 hei2
The Cantonese word for the noun 'surprise' is 驚喜 (ging1 hei2).
驚喜 is used to describe the feeling that something unexpected has happened.
Meaning: feeling that something unexpected has happened (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of 驚 (ging1), meaning 'to be startled or surprised' and 喜 (hei2), meaning 'joy or happiness'.
Which one should you use?
While 驚喜 specifically refers to a pleasant or joyful surprise, the single word 驚 (ging1) can often imply being startled, frightened or shocked in a negative sense.
How do you pronounce it?
ging1 hei2
Did you know?
- In traditional Chinese culture, the 'Double Happiness' symbol 囍 is a duplication of the 喜 found in 驚喜. It is seen everywhere during weddings to maximize the joyful energy.
- The word 驚 is used in the phrase 驚死人, which literally means 'surprise the dead' but is used idiomatically to mean something is 'terrifyingly' or 'shockingly' extreme.
- To express a shock that is not joyful, Cantonese speakers often use 驚訝, where 訝 refers to being bewildered. This distinguishes a neutral or negative surprise from the happy 驚喜.
Examples in context
- 佢真係識講廣東話？ (keoi5 zan1 hai6 sik1 gong2 gwong2 dung1 waa2)Does he really know how to speak Cantonese?
- 呢份禮物帶畀我好大驚喜。nei1 fan6 lai2 mat6 daai3 bei2 ngo5 hou2 daai6 ging1 hei2.This gift brought me a great surprise.
- 我完全冇預料到呢個驚喜。ngo5 jyun4 cyun4 mou5 jyu6 liu6 dou2 nei1 go3 ging1 hei2.I didn't expect this surprise at all.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a birthday party.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung俊傑，你準備好驚喜未？Jun1 Kit3, nei5 zeon2 bei6 hou2 ging1 hei2 mei6?Jun Kit, have you prepared the surprise yet?
- 俊傑 Chun Kit準備好喇，佢一定會好開心。zeon2 bei6 hou2 laa3, keoi5 jat1 ding6 wui5 hou2 hoi1 sam1.It's ready, she will definitely be very happy.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我哋快啲去布置場地啦。ngo5 dei6 faai3 di1 heoi3 bou3 zi3 coeng4 dei6 laa1.Let's go decorate the venue quickly.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit好，希望佢鍾意呢個驚喜。hou2, hei1 mong6 keoi5 zung1 ji3 nei1 go3 ging1 hei2.Okay, I hope she likes this surprise.
