zim3佔
Jyutpingzim3
Yalejim
Definition
To seize, occupy, or take control of something by force.
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
While often associated with formal contexts like military occupation, in daily life it is frequently used to describe someone hogging space or resources. It carries a sense of unfairness or selfishness when used to complain about someone taking up more than their share. The construction 佔住 is particularly common for describing someone who refuses to vacate a spot or object.
Examples
They forcibly took the seat.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 攞, which simply means to take or get. 佔 implies a sense of entitlement or forceful exclusion of others, whereas 攞 is neutral and can be used for picking up an object.
Grammar color guide
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Verb
Adjective
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Classifier
Particle
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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.
