dung2懂
Jyutpingdung2
Yaledúng
Definition
To understand, or to know how to do something; to possess a certain skill.
- to understand; to comprehend
- to know how to; to be skilled in
colloquialdaily actionscommunication
How it's used
Cantonese speakers almost exclusively use 識 instead of 懂 for both understanding concepts and possessing skills. Using 懂 in spoken Cantonese sounds unnatural and overly formal, often carrying a literary or Mandarin-influenced tone. Reserve 識 for everything from knowing a person to being able to perform a task.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often try to use 懂 because it matches the written Chinese character, but it is rarely used in daily speech. Always default to 識 when you want to express knowledge or ability.
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.
