dong1 zung3當眾当众
Jyutpingdong1 zung3
Yaledōng jung
Definition
In public; in the presence of everyone.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Focuses on the social awkwardness or the deliberate nature of an action performed before an audience. It often carries a negative connotation, implying that the action is inappropriate or intended to cause embarrassment to someone. While it can describe neutral events, it is most frequently used when someone breaks social norms or loses their temper.
Examples
He actually scolded me in public, it's so embarrassing.
Can you not change your clothes here in public?
Related words
Common phrases
to humiliate in public
to apologize in public
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe simply being in a public place, like walking in a park. It specifically highlights the act of performing a behavior while others are watching, rather than just the location itself.
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.
