cau3 gau3 jat1 go3 hou2 zi6湊夠一個好字凑够一个好字
Jyutpingcau3 gau3 jat1 go3 hou2 zi6
Yalechau gau yāt go hóu jih
Definition
To have both a son and a daughter, completing a family.
colloquialfamily
How it's used
This expression relies on the visual composition of the character 好, which is formed by the radical for woman 女 on the left and the character for child 子 on the right. It carries a traditional cultural connotation that having one of each gender represents an ideal or balanced family unit. It is almost exclusively used in the context of family planning and parenting.
Examples
They had a son and a daughter, finally completing the perfect pair.
Are you planning to have a daughter next to complete the perfect pair?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this phrase to describe anything other than having one son and one daughter, as the literal meaning is tied specifically to the components of the character 好.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
