hou4 hei3豪氣豪气
Definition
Generous and openhanded with money; not being stingy or calculating.
How it's used
Describes someone who spends money with a sense of grandeur or lack of restraint, often implying a slightly dramatic or showy flair. It is frequently used to describe someone who picks up the entire bill at a restaurant or gives large tips, rather than just being generally kind or helpful. The term carries a positive connotation of being big-hearted, but can occasionally imply someone is being reckless with their finances.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 大方, which is a more general term for being generous or polite. 豪氣 specifically highlights the act of spending money in a bold or impressive way, whereas 大方 can apply to sharing things or being gracious in social situations without involving money at all.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- 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.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
