hang6 ji4幸而
Jyutpinghang6 ji4
Yalehahng yìh
Definition
Luckily; fortunately.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
Carries a slightly more formal or literary tone compared to the ubiquitous colloquial 好彩. It is frequently used in written Cantonese or when someone wants to sound more composed and articulate in speech. While it functions similarly to fortunately in English, it often implies relief after narrowly avoiding a negative outcome.
Examples
Luckily he brought an umbrella, otherwise he would have been soaked.
Luckily I had your help this time, otherwise I couldn't have handled it.
Related words
Common phrases
luckily it has not yet happened
luckily it was in time
Common mistake
Avoid using it in very casual, fast-paced slangy conversation, where 好彩 is almost always the preferred choice. It can sound slightly stiff or overly dramatic if used in trivial situations.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
