1. Nei hou aa?
This is the most common way to say “how are you?” in Cantonese. It is pronounced “nay hoe aa?”
2. Lei hou aa?
This is a more formal way to say “how are you?” in Cantonese. It is pronounced “lay hoe aa?”
3. Nei ho mou ho aa?
This is a more polite way to say “how are you?” in Cantonese. It is pronounced “nay hoe mou hoe aa?”
4. Lei ho mou ho aa?
This is a more formal way to say “how are you?” in Cantonese. It is pronounced “lay hoe mou hoe aa?”
Which one should you use?
The best way to decide which one to use is to consider the situation. If you are speaking to a friend or family member, you can use the informal form. If you are speaking to a stranger or someone you do not know well, you should use the more formal form.
Here are some examples of how to use these phrases:
- Nei hou aa? (To a friend or family member)
- Lei hou aa? (To a stranger or someone you do not know well)
- Nei ho mou ho aa? (To a friend or family member, in a more polite way)
- Lei ho mou ho aa? (To a stranger or someone you do not know well, in a more formal way)
What does “hou aa?” mean?
The word “hou aa?” means “good” in Cantonese. It is used in a variety of contexts, including when greeting someone and asking them how they are.
How to respond to “hou aa?”
There are a few different ways to respond to “hou aa?”:
- Hou aa (I am good)
- Mou man aa (I am not good)
- Yi ban aa (I am so-so)
Here are some examples of how to respond to “hou aa?”:
- Nei hou aa? (How are you?)
- Hou aa (I am good)
- Lei hou aa? (How are you?)
- Yi ban aa (I am so-so)
Conclusion
I hope this article has helped you learn how to say “how are you?” in Cantonese. If you have any questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
