soeng2 soeng2想想
Jyutpingsoeng2 soeng2
Yaleséung séung
Definition
To think, think about, or ponder over something.
colloquialdaily actionscommunication
How it's used
Cantonese speakers almost exclusively use 諗 instead of 想 when referring to the mental process of pondering or considering something. While 想 is used for 'to want' or 'to miss someone', 諗 is the standard verb for 'to think' or 'to reflect'. Doubling the verb as 諗諗 softens the tone, making it sound like a casual suggestion or a brief period of reflection.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use 想 for 'to think' because of Mandarin influence, but 想 in Cantonese is primarily for desire or longing. Using 想 to mean 'to ponder' can sound unnatural or overly formal.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
