on1 hou2安好
Jyutpingon1 hou2
Yaleōn hóu
Definition
Safe and sound; peaceful and well.
writtenpeoplehealth
How it's used
Carries a formal and slightly literary tone, often appearing in written correspondence or when inquiring about someone's well-being after a period of separation. It is rarely used in casual, everyday small talk between friends, where people would instead ask if someone is okay or doing well.
Examples
I hope they are safe and sound after moving to the new place.
Related words
Common phrases
safe and sound without any issues
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe physical objects or situations; it is almost exclusively reserved for the health and safety of people. Using it to describe a broken phone or a messy room sounds unnatural and overly dramatic.
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.
