hung4 sam1雄心
Jyutpinghung4 sam1
Yalehùhng sām
Definition
Ambition; a grand ideal or aspiration.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This term carries a grand, slightly formal tone that is often used to describe someone with high aspirations or a drive to achieve significant goals. It is frequently paired with adjectives like 勃勃 to emphasize a burning, active desire to succeed. While it can be used in daily conversation, it sounds more serious than simply saying someone is hardworking or has a plan.
Examples
He has had great ambition since he was a child.
Do you still have the ambition to start a business?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common word for personal career goals, but it implies a much larger, more heroic scale of ambition. Using it to describe wanting a simple promotion or a small pay raise can sound overly dramatic or ironic.
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.
