gong3 zik1降職降职
Jyutpinggong3 zik1
Yalegong jīk
Definition
To demote; to reduce to a lower rank.
neutralwork
How it's used
This term is formal and carries a serious, negative tone, typically used in professional or organizational contexts. It is almost always used in the passive voice with 畀, indicating that the demotion is something happening to the person rather than an action they initiate.
Examples
He was demoted by the boss because he made a mistake.
Are you worried about being demoted by the company?
Related words
Common phrases
to be demoted
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 減薪, which specifically refers to a salary cut. While a demotion often results in a salary cut, the two terms are not interchangeable.
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.
