gwaan3 sing3慣性惯性
Jyutpinggwaan3 sing3
Yalegwaan sing
Definition
Habitual, customary, or routine.
neutraldaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on behaviors that have become automatic or reflexive through repetition. Unlike the more general habit, it often implies a lack of conscious thought or an inability to break a cycle. It is frequently used in formal or analytical contexts to describe patterns that are difficult to change.
Examples
He has a bad habit of being habitually late.
Why do you habitually do it like that?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 習慣, which is a noun meaning habit. 慣性 acts as a modifier or a descriptive term for an action, whereas 習慣 is the thing you actually possess.
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.
