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Definition
To mutter or recite in a low voice, or figuratively, to ponder and hesitate.
- to mutter, chant, or recite in a low voice
- figurativeto ponder, hesitate, or look undecided
writtendaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Primarily used in written or formal contexts to describe someone lost in thought or weighing a decision. In daily spoken Cantonese, it is quite literary and often replaced by more casual expressions like 諗緊 or 考慮緊. When used in speech, it carries a slightly dramatic or contemplative tone.
Examples
He looked at the document and pondered for a long time.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 沉迷, which means to be addicted or obsessed with something. Learners often mistake the two because of the shared character 沉.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
