cing1 zok3稱作称作
Jyutpingcing1 zok3
Yalechīng jok
Definition
To call or refer to someone or something as; to give a title to.
neutralcommunication
How it's used
While 稱作 is grammatically correct, it sounds noticeably more formal or literary than the everyday 叫. It is frequently encountered in written descriptions, news reports, or when introducing formal terminology. In casual conversation, native speakers almost exclusively use 叫 or 叫做 instead.
Examples
This kind of flower is usually called a sunflower.
Related words
Common phrases
to be classified as a type
to be called a noun
Common mistake
Learners often use 稱作 in casual settings where it sounds overly stiff or academic. Stick to 叫 for daily social interactions to avoid sounding like you are reading from a textbook.
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.
