gaang1 wan4耕耘
Jyutpinggaang1 wan4
Yalegāang wàhn
Definition
To plough and weed, or to cultivate; by extension, to work hard.
- to plough, weed, and cultivate soil
- figurativeto work hard; to put in effort
neutralworkdaily actions
How it's used
Used primarily in a metaphorical sense to describe dedicated effort or hard work in one's career or personal projects. While it literally refers to farming, it is rarely used in modern urban Hong Kong to describe actual agricultural labor. It carries a positive, slightly formal tone often associated with perseverance and long term commitment.
Examples
He has been working hard in the fields all day.
If you work this hard, you will definitely get results.
Related words
Common phrases
No pain, no gain
working hard in silence
Common mistake
Avoid using this word for casual, short term tasks like doing chores or homework. It implies a significant, sustained investment of time and energy, similar to the dedication required for farming.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
