ding6 san4定神
Jyutpingding6 san4
Yaledihng sàhn
Definition
To concentrate, focus, or collect one's thoughts.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Focusing on the act of gathering one's scattered thoughts or calming down to observe something clearly. It often implies a transition from a state of distraction or shock to one of composure and alertness. Use it when someone needs to stop panicking or daydreaming to pay close attention to a specific detail.
Examples
Focus and listen to me, this matter is very important.
He concentrated for a long time before he figured out what to do.
Related words
Common phrases
to focus and take a look
to calm down and think it over
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 專心, which describes the general state of being attentive. 定神 specifically carries the nuance of settling down or recovering one's composure to focus, rather than just the act of studying or working diligently.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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.
