sing2 ding6醒定
Jyutpingsing2 ding6
Yalesíng dihng
Definition
To be alert and watch one's step to avoid negative consequences.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Implies a need for heightened situational awareness or mental sharpness to avoid trouble or failure. It carries a slightly stern or cautionary tone, often used when someone is expected to perform well under pressure or avoid a specific mistake. The phrase suggests that the person being addressed is currently lacking the necessary focus.
Examples
The boss is in a bad mood today, you better be on your toes while working.
Related words
Common phrases
be more alert
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 醒目, which describes someone who is naturally clever or quick-witted. While 醒目 is a compliment about intelligence, 醒定 is a command or warning about current behavior and focus.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
