hou4豪
Jyutpinghou4
Yalehòuh
Definition
Generous and lavish when spending money; free-spending.
colloquialmoneydescriptions
How it's used
Describes someone who spends money freely and without hesitation, often implying a sense of style or lack of concern for the cost. It carries a positive connotation of being magnanimous or grand, though it can also be used to warn someone about being financially reckless. It is distinct from simply being rich, as it focuses on the act of spending rather than the state of having wealth.
Examples
He is being really generous by treating us to dinner tonight.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid confusing this with the Mandarin word 豪, which is often used in the sense of 'heroic' or 'grand' in a more literary or abstract way. In Cantonese, it is almost exclusively tied to the context of spending money or displaying a high-rolling lifestyle.
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.
