cim4 sam1潛心潜心
Jyutpingcim4 sam1
Yalechìhm sām
Definition
To concentrate fully on; to devote oneself to or be single-minded about something.
neutraldaily actionswork
How it's used
Implies a deep, often long-term commitment to a specific craft, study, or spiritual pursuit. It carries a sense of seclusion or stepping away from distractions to achieve mastery. Unlike simply being busy, this word suggests a deliberate, almost meditative dedication.
Examples
He has been concentrating fully on researching the new project lately.
Do you want to focus entirely on spiritual practice and ignore worldly affairs?
Related words
Common phrases
to concentrate fully on research
to dedicate oneself to learning
Common mistake
Avoid using this for short-term focus like studying for a test tomorrow, as it implies a more profound, sustained devotion rather than temporary concentration.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
