jau5 dik1 fong3 ci2有的放矢
Jyutpingjau5 dik1 fong3 ci2
Yaleyáuh dīk fong chí
Definition
To have a target in mind when shooting arrows; to speak or act with a clear, definite purpose.
writtenworkcommunication
How it's used
This idiom is borrowed from classical Chinese and retains a formal, intellectual tone even when used in spoken Cantonese. It is most commonly employed in professional or academic settings to praise someone for being efficient and well directed. Using it in casual conversation can make you sound slightly pretentious or overly serious.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
to speak with a clear purpose
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to mean simply having a goal, but it specifically emphasizes the alignment between an action and its intended outcome. It is not used to describe general ambition or having a plan in a vague sense.
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.
