hou2 lek1好叻
Jyutpinghou2 lek1
Yalehóu lēk
Definition
Very clever, smart, or capable.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Used frequently to praise someone for their intelligence or skill, often carrying a slightly informal or encouraging tone. It can also be used sarcastically to imply someone is acting arrogant or thinks they are better than others. When used to describe a specific skill, it often functions as an adjective meaning talented or capable.
Examples
You are really smart, finishing it so quickly.
He has been very clever since he was small, knowing everything.
Related words
Common phrases
a very smart boy or capable man
a very smart girl or capable woman
Common mistake
Avoid using it to describe inanimate objects, as it is almost exclusively reserved for people and their abilities. If you want to say something is good or excellent in a general sense, use 好勁 or 好正 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
