dong1當当

Jyutpingdong1

Yaledōng

動詞Very common

Definition

Should; ought to.

writtenother

How it's used

While 当 functions as a formal modal verb in written Chinese, it is rarely used in spoken Cantonese to mean should. Instead, 應該 is the standard choice for expressing obligation or expectation. Using 当 in casual speech often sounds stiff, overly dramatic, or like a direct translation from formal written text.

Examples

nei5你dong1當jat6日zau6就jing1應goi1該waa6話ngo5我zi1知㗎gaa3嘛。

You should have told me that day.

ngo5我dei6哋dong1當m4唔dong1當heoi3去taam3探haa6下keoi5佢hou2好ni1呢？

Should we go visit him or not?

Common phrases

jing1應dong1當jyu4如ci2此

it should be so

Common mistake

Learners often confuse this with the colloquial verb 當 meaning to treat something as something else, such as 當我傻, which means to treat me like a fool. Do not use 当 to mean should in everyday conversation as it will sound unnatural.