bing2秉

Jyutpingbing2

Yalebíng

動詞Uncommon

Definition

To hold with one's hand, to adhere to, or to act in accordance with a principle.

literaryto hold something with one's hand
to hold, maintain, or insist on a belief or principle
to act or deal with matters in accordance with a standard

writtendaily actionsother

How it's used

秉 is primarily used in formal or literary contexts, often appearing in set phrases related to principles or official conduct. It is rarely used in daily speech to mean physically holding an object, as 拎 or 攞 are the standard colloquial verbs for that action. When you see it in modern Cantonese, it almost always relates to abstract concepts like upholding justice or maintaining a specific philosophy.

Examples

keoi5佢bing2秉ci4持zyu6住go2嗰go3個seon3信nim6念，gin1堅ci4持dou3到dai2底。

He holds onto that belief and persists to the end.

nei5你zou6做jan4人jiu3要bing2秉gung1公baan6辦lei5理，m4唔hou2好pin1偏si1私。

You should handle matters impartially and not be biased.

Related words

see alsoling1拎līngsee alsolo2攞lósynonymgin1 ci4堅持gīn chìh

Common phrases

bing2秉gung1公baan6辦lei5理

to handle matters impartially

bing2秉ci4持seon3信nim6念

to uphold a belief

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use 秉 as a direct synonym for 拎 when talking about carrying physical items, but this sounds extremely unnatural and archaic to native speakers.