何必 (ho4 bit1) — Why is it necessary...? Why must...? --… in Cantonese

hoˎ₄何bitˉ¹必

Mandarin Pinyin: he2 bi4

Meaning of 何必

nounWhy is it necessary...? Why must...? -- used in rhetorical questions (Cantonese typically uses 使乜)

我係非常贊同辛苦搵嚟自在食嘅講法,何必委屈自己

I agree with the saying that one should work hard and play hard. Why treat yourself so badly?

zouˊ²早ziˉ¹知gamˉ¹今jat6,日，hoˎ₄何bit˗₃必dongˉ¹当co3?初？

If I knew today, why did I do it back then? (Lit. If I knew today, why did I need to get the coffin earlier?)

hoˎ₄何bitˉ¹必gam˗₃咁gongˊ²講？

Why say that?

zouˊ²早ziˉ¹知gamˉ¹今jat6,日，hoˎ₄何bit˗₃必dongˉ¹當co1.初。

If you knew this would happen, why did you do it in the first place?

Practice with spaced-repetition flashcards or follow our free structured Cantonese course.