haau2巧
Jyutpinghaau2
Yaleháau
Definition
Coincidental; describing an unlikely event that happens to occur.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
巧 is primarily used in the phrase 咁巧 to express surprise at a coincidental event. It functions as an adjective but is almost exclusively found in this specific construction when describing social encounters or unexpected similarities. While it shares the same meaning as 啱, 巧 emphasizes the element of chance or fate behind the occurrence.
Examples
We ran into each other on the street, what a coincidence.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the Mandarin word 巧, which has a much broader range of meanings including skillful or clever. In Cantonese, using 巧 to mean skillful or clever is incorrect and will sound unnatural; for those meanings, use 叻 or 醒目 instead.
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.
