點都好

In Any Case

Level 5Sounds Like dim2 dou1 hou2

點都好 (dim2 dou1 hou2) is the Cantonese equivalent of 'anyway' or 'in any case.' It is used to transition a conversation toward a final point, regardless of what was discussed before.

How It Works

At Level 5, you should use 點都好 to manage the flow of natural conversation. It acts as a 'bracket' that closes off a topic or a series of complications.

1. Usage and Position
It is almost always placed at the beginning of a sentence or a new clause. It does not change based on the words around it. It is frequently paired with 但係 (daan6 hai6) to form 但係點都好... ('But in any case...').

2. Nuance and Tone
This pattern carries a tone of finality. It is particularly useful for:

  • Ending a circular argument politely.
  • Summarizing a complex situation.
  • Moving from a problem to a solution.

3. Register
This is a highly colloquial expression. While it is the standard in spoken Cantonese, in formal writing you would use 無論如何 (mou4 leon6 jyu4 ho4) instead.

4. The Role of '好'
Note that the 好 (hou2) here does not mean 'good' in a moral sense; it functions as a marker of acceptability, similar to saying 'it's fine' or 'it doesn't matter' regarding the previous details.

Examples (4)

  1. 點都好，我哋都要試下。

    In any case, we still have to try.

    Word by Word: How all good, we all need try a-bit.

    Here, the speaker uses the phrase to move past any doubts or complications and focus on the necessary action.

  2. 雖然佢遲咗，但係點都好，佢最後都嚟咗。

    Although he was late, anyway, he showed up in the end.

    Word by Word: Although he late [aspect], but how all good, he final also come [aspect].

    This shows the common pairing with 但係 to acknowledge a negative point before moving to the 'bottom line'.

  3. 點都好啦，件事都過咗去咯。

    Anyway, the matter is already in the past.

    Word by Word: How all good [particle], [classifier] matter already pass [aspect] go [particle].

    Adding the particle 啦 (laa1) softens the tone, making it sound more like a natural conversational transition.

  4. 點都好，聽日一定要搞掂佢。

    Regardless, we must get it done tomorrow.

    Word by Word: How all good, tomorrow one-set must do-settle it.

    This demonstrates the 'finality' nuance, emphasizing the deadline regardless of other factors.

Common Mistakes

  • Using it to mean 'by the way' (introducing a new topic).

    點都好，你食咗飯未呀？
    係呢，你食咗飯未呀？

    點都好 must relate back to a previous point being set aside. To introduce a completely new topic, use 係呢 (hai6 ne1) or 順便 (seon6 bin2).

  • Placing the marker after the subject.

    我點都好去。
    點都好，我都會去。

    As a discourse marker, it must precede the clause it modifies. Placing it after the subject makes the sentence ungrammatical.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

點都好Level 5In Any Case

Learn This First

The pattern '點都好' (dim2 dou1 hou2) is a fixed expression used to set aside previous points and move to a conclusion. It is built from the question word '點' (how), the inclusive particle '都' (all/even), and the adjective '好' (good/fine), literally meaning 'however [it is], it is fine'.

Words in This Pattern

点都好