hang6 hou2幸好
Jyutpinghang6 hou2
Yalehahng hóu
Definition
Fortunately; luckily.
colloquialother
How it's used
While 幸好 is widely understood and used in writing, native speakers often prefer 好在 in casual spoken Cantonese. Using 幸好 can sound slightly more formal or emphatic, similar to the difference between 'fortunately' and 'luckily' in English. It is frequently placed at the very beginning of a sentence to frame the entire situation as a stroke of good fortune.
Examples
Luckily I brought an umbrella, otherwise I would have been soaked.
You are so late, fortunately there are still seats available.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse 幸好 with 僥倖, but the latter implies a sense of 'fluke' or 'undeserved luck' rather than just a fortunate outcome. Avoid using 幸好 to describe winning a game by pure chance, as it is meant to express relief about a situation.
Grammar color guide
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Verb
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
