fan5 jung5 dong1 sin1奮勇當先奋勇当先
Jyutpingfan5 jung5 dong1 sin1
Yalefáhn yúhng dōng sīn
Definition
To take the lead courageously; to be the first brave person to step forward or attack.
writtenpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of initiative and bravery, often used to describe someone who steps forward during a crisis or a competitive situation. It implies not just being first, but being the one who leads the charge when others might be hesitant. It is more formal than everyday speech and is frequently found in news reports or descriptions of heroic actions.
Examples
He took the lead with courage in the competition and got first place.
Facing difficulties, who is willing to be the first to step up and solve them?
Related words
Common phrases
the spirit of taking the lead with courage
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say 'to be first' in a queue or a race, but it specifically requires an element of courage or boldness. Using it to describe someone simply arriving first at a bus stop would sound unnatural and overly dramatic.
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.
