zan1 sik1珍惜
Definition
To treasure, value, or cherish something precious and limited, making sure not to waste it.
How it's used
Often used when discussing finite resources like time, water, or relationships that cannot be easily replaced. It carries a sense of moral weight or responsibility, implying that losing the item would be a significant regret. Unlike the more casual use of 鍾意, this word emphasizes the act of protecting or making the most of something before it disappears.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners sometimes use this word to mean simply liking something, but it specifically requires the object to be something that could be lost or depleted. You would not use it to say you treasure a new pair of shoes unless you are specifically referring to their limited lifespan or the effort it took to get them.
Grammar color guide
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).
