cung4從从
Jyutpingcung4
Yalechùhng
Definition
To follow, comply with, or obey instructions or rules.
writtendaily actions
How it's used
从 is rarely used as a standalone verb in modern spoken Cantonese, appearing mostly in formal compounds or set phrases. When expressing the idea of following someone or something, speakers almost always prefer using 跟 or 跟隨 instead. It carries a slightly more formal or moral weight compared to the casual act of following someone down the street.
Examples
One should be ready to follow good advice.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 从 as a preposition to mean 'from', which is a Mandarin usage. In Cantonese, the preposition 'from' is expressed using 喺 or 由.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
