hou2 gwo3好過好过
Jyutpinghou2 gwo3
Yalehóu gwo
Definition
Better than; preferable to.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Beyond direct comparison, this phrase often signals a reluctant preference when choosing between two suboptimal options. It frequently appears in sentences where the speaker concludes that a less-than-ideal choice is still preferable to a worse one. You will often hear it paired with 索性 to express a sense of resignation or finality in decision making.
Examples
Taking the MTR is better than taking the bus, it is much faster.
Do you think this one is better than that one?
Related words
Common phrases
better than nothing
better than death (used hyperbolically to mean much better)
Common mistake
Avoid using it to mean 'very good' or 'excellent' as learners sometimes mistakenly do; it strictly functions as a comparative structure. It cannot stand alone as an adjective and requires a second object or context to complete the comparison.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
