你好靚
nei5 hou2 leng3
The Cantonese phrase for "you look beautiful" is 你好靚 (nei5 hou2 leng3).
This phrase is a compliment used to tell someone that they are physically attractive. While the literal translation is "you are very beautiful", it is the standard way to say "you look beautiful" in Cantonese.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of 你 (you), 好 (very/so) and 靚 (beautiful).
How does it change in a sentence?
In this phrase, the word 好 (hou2) functions as an adverb meaning "very" or "so" to intensify the adjective.
How do you pronounce it?
nei5 hou2 leng3
Did you know?
- To describe someone as 'stunningly beautiful', Cantonese speakers might use 靚到爆, which literally means 'beautiful to the point of exploding'.
- In traditional Cantonese culture, if someone says 你好靚, a humble person might reply by denying it or saying 邊度靚, which literally means 'where is it beautiful'.
- In Hong Kong, the word 靚 is often used in the phrase 靚仔, which means 'handsome' but is also used by taxi drivers or street vendors to call any young man regardless of his looks.
Examples in context
- 你今日你好靚。nei5 gam1 jat6 nei5 hou2 leng3.You look beautiful today.
- 你着呢件衫，你好靚。nei5 zoek3 ne1 gin6 saam1, nei5 hou2 leng3.You look beautiful in this shirt.
Example conversation
Chi Keung and Hiu Tung are preparing for a date.
- 志強 Chi Keung曉彤，你今日你好靚。hiu2 tung4, nei5 gam1 jat6 nei5 hou2 leng3.Hiu Tung, you look beautiful today.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung真係呀？多謝你。zan1 hai6 aa3? do1 ze6 nei5.Really? Thank you.
- 志強 Chi Keung你件裙真係好襯你。nei5 gin6 kwan4 zan1 hai6 hou2 can3 nei5.That dress really suits you.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung你都好型呀。nei5 dou1 hou2 jing4 aa1.You look very handsome too.
