jing1 dong1應當应当

Jyutpingjing1 dong1

Yaleyīng dōng

動詞

Definition

Should; ought to; must.

neutraldaily actions

How it's used

While 應當 shares the same meaning as 應該, it carries a slightly more formal or emphatic tone. It is frequently used in written contexts or when expressing a moral obligation rather than a simple suggestion. In casual spoken Cantonese, 應該 is overwhelmingly more common.

Examples

zou6做jan4人jing1應dong1當sing4誠sat6實di1啲。

People should be more honest.

nei5你jing1應dong1當heoi3去man6問cing1清co2楚keoi5佢。

You really ought to go and ask him clearly.

Common phrases

jing1應dong1當jyu4如ci2此

it should be so

Common mistake

Learners often use 應當 in everyday casual conversation where it sounds overly stiff or literary. Stick to 應該 for normal daily interactions to avoid sounding like you are reading from a textbook or a formal speech.