gan1 gei1根基
Jyutpinggan1 gei1
Yalegān gēi
Definition
Foundation or basis upon which something is built.
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How it's used
Often used in the context of skill acquisition or career development, this term implies a long-term process of building stability. It carries a sense of depth and structural integrity that simple words for beginning or start lack. It is almost exclusively paired with the verb 打 to describe the act of establishing this base.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
You must build a solid foundation when learning a language.
Related words
Common phrases
to lay a solid foundation
the foundation is firm
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with 基本, which refers to the basics or fundamentals of a topic, whereas 根基 refers to the underlying foundation that supports further growth or structure.
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.
