ding6 ji6定義定义
Jyutpingding6 ji6
Yaledihng yih
Definition
To define; to provide an explanation for a word or concept.
neutralcommunicationother
How it's used
While this term is used in academic or formal contexts, it is also frequently employed in casual philosophical discussions about abstract concepts like love or happiness. It functions as a standard transitive verb, often appearing with the adverb 點樣 when asking for someone's personal perspective on a concept.
Examples
How do you define success?
This term is very hard to define.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this as a noun to mean 'a definition', but in Cantonese, it is almost exclusively used as a verb. If you want to refer to the noun 'definition', use 定義嘅解釋 or simply 解釋 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
