hou2 dei6 dei6好地地
Jyutpinghou2 dei6 dei6
Yalehóu deih deih
Definition
In perfectly good condition, or with things being well and good.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Expresses frustration or confusion when a situation unexpectedly turns negative despite everything being fine initially. It often implies that the current disruption or change is unnecessary or even self-inflicted. Use it to highlight the contrast between a stable, normal state and a sudden, undesirable outcome.
Examples
Why would he quit his job when everything was going so well?
The phone was in perfect condition, why did you break it?
Related words
Common phrases
why on earth would one do that when everything was fine
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe something that is simply good or excellent. It specifically requires a context where a state of normalcy is interrupted by an unwanted event.
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.
