soeng2 dong1 jin4想當然想当然
Jyutpingsoeng2 dong1 jin4
Yaleséung dōng yìhn
Definition
Subjective, groundless, or taken for granted.
colloquialother
How it's used
Carries a critical tone, implying that someone is being lazy or arrogant by failing to verify facts. It is frequently used to call out people who make decisions based on personal bias rather than objective reality. Unlike neutral words for guessing, this specifically highlights a flawed mental process.
Examples
Don't just assume that he will definitely help you.
Many problems ended up this way because people just relied on their own assumptions.
Related words
Common phrases
it is taken for granted
an assumptive attitude
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a neutral word meaning 'to think' or 'to suppose'. It is almost exclusively used to criticize someone for being overly subjective or naive.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
