jung6 si6用事
Jyutpingjung6 si6
Yaleyuhng sih
Definition
To hold power, or to let one's actions be swayed by a particular factor.
- literaryto hold power; to be in power
- to let one's actions be swayed by something, such as emotions
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
Primarily appears in the fixed expression 感情用事, which describes someone who allows their personal feelings to dictate their actions or judgment. It carries a negative connotation of being irrational or unprofessional. Outside of this specific phrase, the term is rarely used in modern spoken Cantonese.
Examples
Don't be so emotional when you make decisions.
He is always letting his emotions get the better of him, which causes a lot of trouble.
Related words
Common phrases
to be swayed by emotions
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use it as a standalone verb to mean 'to use something for a task', but it is not a general-purpose term for 'using' or 'utilizing'. It only functions within the context of being swayed by an external factor like emotion.
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.
