hung4 huk6 zi1 zi3鴻鵠之志鸿鹄之志

Jyutpinghung4 huk6 zi1 zi3

Yalehùhng huhk jī ji

Definition

Lofty ambition; great aspirations.

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How it's used

This idiom carries a literary and slightly grand tone that is rarely used in casual, everyday conversation. It is typically reserved for formal writing, speeches, or when someone is being slightly ironic or dramatic about their own or another person's high aspirations. Using it in a mundane context can make the speaker sound like they are quoting a classical text or trying to sound overly sophisticated.

Examples

keoi5佢sai3細sai3細go3個ji5已ging1經jau5有hung4鴻huk6鵠zi1之zi3志。

He has had lofty ambitions since he was a child.

nei5你dim2點wui2會ming4明keoi5佢go2嗰zung2種hung4鴻guk1鵠zi1之zi3志aa1呀？

How could you possibly understand his kind of lofty ambition?

Common phrases

waai4懷jau5有hung4鴻huk6鵠zi1之zi3志

to harbor lofty ambitions

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a common everyday word for ambition, but it is a classical idiom. Using it to describe simple career goals or small personal plans will sound unnatural and pretentious to native speakers.