jing4 san4凝神
Jyutpingjing4 san4
Yaleyìhng sàhn
Definition
To concentrate; to focus one's attention.
neutraldaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Focuses on the act of narrowing one's attention toward a specific object or sensory input. It carries a slightly more literary or descriptive tone than common phrases like 專心, often implying a visual or auditory focus that requires stillness or intensity. You will frequently encounter it in narrative contexts or when describing someone deeply absorbed in a task.
Examples
He is concentrating on the screen, as if he is looking for something.
Concentrate and listen carefully, is there some weird noise here?
Related words
Common phrases
to stare intently at something
to listen with rapt attention
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual, everyday contexts where 專心 is more natural. It is not a general term for being focused on work or studies, but rather implies a momentary, intense fixation on a specific point of interest.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
