hou2 di1好啲
Jyutpinghou2 di1
Yalehóu dī
Definition
Better; improved in condition or quality.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
This phrase is the standard way to express improvement or a higher degree of quality in spoken Cantonese. It functions as a comparative adjective or adverb, often implying a shift from a previous state to a more desirable one. It is extremely versatile and can be used to describe health, mood, performance, or the quality of objects.
Examples
If you rest more, your body will feel better.
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 比較好, which is a direct translation from Mandarin. While understood, it sounds stiff and unnatural compared to the ubiquitous 好啲.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
