gung1 ging3恭敬
Jyutpinggung1 ging3
Yalegūng ging
Definition
Respectful, polite, and humble towards elders or guests.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Describes a formal attitude of deference that is often expected in traditional family settings or when serving guests. While it implies politeness, it specifically highlights a sense of humility and distance that acknowledges a hierarchy. It is rarely used to describe casual friendliness between peers.
Examples
He is very respectful towards his elders.
You should be more respectful when you see their elders.
Related words
Common phrases
I'd better obey you rather than keep being too polite.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 禮貌, which is a general term for having good manners. 恭敬 carries a stronger sense of submissiveness or deep reverence that is specifically reserved for those of higher status or age.
Grammar color guide
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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.
