si2 ging3使勁使劲
Jyutpingsi2 ging3
Yalesí ging
Definition
To exert physical strength; to do something with great effort.
colloquialdaily actionsbody
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the physical act of applying force or effort rather than abstract exertion like studying or working. It often implies a burst of energy or a sustained, intense physical push to overcome resistance. You will frequently hear it used when someone is struggling to open a heavy object or trying to move something bulky.
Examples
Just push the door hard and you will be able to get in.
He pedaled the bike with all his might and arrived very quickly.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 用力, which is a more general term for using force. 使勁 carries a stronger sense of putting in maximum effort or straining oneself, whereas 用力 can simply mean to apply force in a controlled or moderate way.
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.
