dong3 sing4當成当成
Jyutpingdong3 sing4
Yaledong sìhng
Definition
To regard as; to treat or take someone or something as.
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
This verb implies a subjective shift in perspective where the subject misidentifies or reclassifies an object or person. It is often used to express frustration when someone is being treated in a way they feel is inappropriate or beneath them. While grammatically similar to 當作, it carries a slightly stronger nuance of active transformation or misjudgment.
Examples
Don't treat me like a little kid.
He regards this gift as a token of appreciation.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mix this up with 當做, which is more commonly used for treating something as a functional equivalent. When you want to emphasize the act of misidentifying someone, 當成 is more precise than just using 當.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
