ho4 loi4何來何来
Jyutpingho4 loi4
Yalehòh lòih
Definition
How can there be; where does it come from; used to deny or question how something could possibly happen.
colloquialother
How it's used
This expression carries a strong rhetorical tone, implying that the answer to the question is obviously negative. It is much more emphatic than simply asking 點解, as it suggests disbelief or frustration regarding the premise of the question. It is often used in arguments or when someone makes an accusation that the speaker finds ridiculous.
Examples
How on earth does he have so much money to buy a property?
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal question about origin, but it is almost exclusively used to express skepticism or to refute a claim. Using it in a neutral, information-seeking context will sound overly dramatic or confrontational.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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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.
