gwaan1 gin6 sing3關鍵性关键性

Jyutpinggwaan1 gin6 sing3

Yalegwāan gihn sing

Definition

Key; critical; of decisive or crucial importance.

neutraldescriptions

How it's used

Although used to mean critical or key, this term often sounds slightly more formal or academic than the more common 關鍵. It is frequently applied to abstract concepts like decisions, roles, or factors rather than physical objects. Use it when you want to emphasize that something is the deciding factor in a situation.

Examples

ni1呢go3個kyut3決ding6定deoi3對seng4成gin2件si6事hou2好gwaan1關gin6鍵sing3性。

This decision is critical to the whole thing.

keoi5佢喺hai2呢le1場coeng4比bei2賽coi3入jap6面min6係hai6關gwaan1鍵gin6性sing3人jan4物。

He is a key figure in this match.

Common phrases

gwaan1關gin6鍵sing3性jan1因sou3素

key factor

gwaan1關gin6鍵sing3性si4時hak1刻

critical moment

Common mistake

Learners often use this as a direct translation for key in every context, but it is not a noun and cannot be used as a standalone subject. It functions primarily as an adjective, so ensure it describes a noun or follows a copula like 係.