gung1 si6公事
Jyutpinggung1 si6
Yalegūng sih
Definition
Official business; public affairs or work-related matters.
neutralwork
How it's used
Refers specifically to tasks or matters related to one's employment or organizational duties. It carries a formal tone compared to simply saying 做嘢, making it suitable for professional settings or when distinguishing between professional and personal life. It is frequently used to set boundaries, emphasizing that a situation requires objective, professional handling rather than personal bias.
Measure word
gin2件gínExamples
I have a lot of official business to handle today.
Is this a personal matter or official business?
Related words
Common phrases
to handle matters strictly according to official rules
to handle official business
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 私事, which refers to personal or private affairs. Learners sometimes use it too broadly for any task, but it should be reserved for matters related to work or organizational obligations.
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.
