gung1 lei6功利
Jyutpinggung1 lei6
Yalegūng leih
Definition
Utility-oriented, pragmatic, or self-interested, prioritizing personal gain above all else.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
Describes a person who prioritizes personal gain or utility above all else, often implying a lack of genuine sentiment or loyalty. It carries a strong negative connotation, suggesting that the person treats relationships or tasks as mere transactions. It is frequently used to criticize someone who is perceived as cold or overly opportunistic.
Examples
He is very reward-oriented and only cares about money when working.
Do you have to be so calculating? Do you really need to keep score between friends?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 實用, which simply means practical or useful. While 實用 is a neutral or positive trait, 功利 is almost always used as an insult to describe someone who is selfishly obsessed with profit.
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.
