do6 sing3惰性
Jyutpingdo6 sing3
Yaledoh sing
Definition
Inertia; habitual laziness or inactivity.
neutraldescriptionsemotion
How it's used
Refers specifically to a psychological or behavioral tendency to remain in a state of inaction or laziness. While it shares a root with the scientific term for physical inertia, it is used almost exclusively to describe human character flaws or habits. It carries a slightly formal or analytical tone, often appearing in self-help contexts or when critiquing someone's lack of motivation.
Examples
He is very prone to inertia at work and always wants to procrastinate.
You have to overcome your inertia to make progress.
Related words
Common phrases
overcome inertia
heavy inertia (very lazy/unmotivated)
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 懶惰, which is an adjective describing the state of being lazy. 惰性 is a noun referring to the underlying tendency or habit that leads to laziness, not the act of being lazy itself.
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.
