gung1 mou6 jyun4公務員公务员
Jyutpinggung1 mou6 jyun4
Yalegūng mouh yùhn
Definition
Civil servant; a public employee hired by the government to provide public services and execute policies.
neutralworkpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to permanent staff employed directly by the government with a structured career path and pension benefits. It carries a strong connotation of job security and stability, often referred to as an iron rice bowl in local culture. People often distinguish between these permanent staff and contract staff who do not share the same benefits.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He took the exam many times before he could become a civil servant.
Is it very stable being a civil servant?
Related words
Common phrases
to take the civil service examination
civil service establishment
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with general government office workers or temporary staff. It is important to note that only those within the official civil service establishment are referred to by this term.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
