ceoi1 faa3 zai1催化劑催化剂
Jyutpingceoi1 faa3 zai1
Yalechēui fa jāi
Definition
Catalyst; a chemical substance that speeds up a reaction, such as an enzyme in the body.
neutralother
How it's used
Beyond the strict chemical definition, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe a person or event that triggers rapid change. It carries a sense of acceleration or intensification in a process that might otherwise be stagnant. When used in a figurative sense, it often implies that the outcome was inevitable but needed a push to get moving.
Measure word
zung3種jungExamples
This chemical reaction needs a catalyst to speed up.
His appearance was like a catalyst, making the whole thing develop very quickly.
Related words
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
