gung1 zuk1恭祝
Jyutpinggung1 zuk1
Yalegūng jūk
Definition
To respectfully or politely wish someone well.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
This term carries a formal and ceremonial tone, typically reserved for celebratory occasions like birthdays, weddings, or festivals. It is far more respectful than a simple wish and is often used in speeches or when addressing elders and superiors. You will frequently hear it at the start of formal greetings or written on celebratory banners.
Examples
I respectfully wish you a happy birthday and good health.
Let's all respectfully wish them a happy marriage.
Related words
Common phrases
respectfully wish you great luck
respectfully wish you peace and health
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual, everyday situations with friends or peers, as it sounds overly stiff and performative. Using it for trivial matters can come across as sarcastic or mockingly formal.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
