zi6 hou4自豪
Jyutpingzi6 hou4
Yalejih hòuh
Definition
Proud; feeling proud and satisfied due to the achievements, honors, or merits of oneself or others.
neutralemotionpeople
How it's used
Expressing pride in Cantonese often leans towards the more casual 威, which implies a sense of being impressive or gaining face. Using 自豪 carries a slightly more formal or serious weight, often reserved for significant achievements or deep personal values. It is rarely used in the casual, everyday banter where 威 or 叻 would be more natural.
Examples
You won the championship, I am really proud of you.
As a Hong Konger, do you feel very proud?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 自豪 with 驕傲. While both can mean proud, 驕傲 frequently carries a negative connotation of being arrogant or conceited, whereas 自豪 is almost exclusively positive and refers to a sense of accomplishment or belonging.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
