gong3 gaak3降格
Jyutpinggong3 gaak3
Yalegong gaak
Definition
To downgrade, or to lower the status, rank, standard, or qualification of someone or something.
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How it's used
Focuses on the loss of status or rank, often implying a formal or official decision. It is frequently used in professional, academic, or competitive contexts rather than casual conversation. When describing a general reduction in quality, people often prefer using 減低 or 降低 instead.
Examples
He was downgraded to an ordinary employee because of poor performance.
Has this competition event been downgraded to the amateur category?
Related words
Common phrases
to handle something by downgrading its status
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe physical objects becoming smaller or cheaper, as it specifically refers to abstract status, rank, or formal classification.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Classifier
Particle
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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.
