ji3 zi2意旨
Jyutpingji3 zi2
Yaleyi jí
Definition
Intention, aim, or purpose.
writtenother
How it's used
This term is formal and typically appears in written documents, legal contexts, or when discussing the underlying purpose of a text or speech. It carries a weightier tone than everyday words like 意思 or 目的. You will rarely hear it in casual conversation, as it sounds quite academic or bureaucratic.
Examples
He said so much, what is his actual intention?
This document fails to express his intention at all.
Related words
Common phrases
to go against the intention
to convey the intention
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 意思, which is a much broader word meaning 'meaning' or 'opinion'. Using 意旨 in a casual setting will sound overly stiff or pretentious.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
