jat1 bun2 zing3 ging1一本正經一本正经

Jyutpingjat1 bun2 zing3 ging1

Yaleyāt bún jing gīng

形容詞

Definition

In a serious and solemn manner; earnest and grave.

colloquialdescriptionspeople

How it's used

This idiom often carries a subtle hint of irony or skepticism when used in casual conversation. It is frequently employed to describe someone who is acting overly formal or solemn in a situation where such behavior feels slightly out of place or unnecessary. While it can describe genuine professionalism, it is just as likely to be used to tease a friend who is trying too hard to look serious.

Examples

keoi5佢ping4平si4時hou2好zung1鍾ji3意gong2講siu3笑，dim2點zi1知gam1今jat6日gam3咁jat1一bun2本zing3正ging1經。

He usually loves joking around, who knew he would be so serious today.

nei5你m4唔hou2好jat1一bun2本zing3正ging1經gam3咁gong2講maai4埋di1啲mou4無liu4聊je5嘢laa1啦。

Don't talk about nonsense in such a serious manner.

Common phrases

baan3扮jat1一bun2本zing3正ging1經

to put on a serious face

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a purely positive descriptor of professional behavior. In reality, it is very commonly used to point out that someone is being stiff, humorless, or unnecessarily formal, so it can sound sarcastic depending on the context.