zan3 ding6鎮定镇定
Jyutpingzan3 ding6
Yalejan dihng
Definition
Calm, cool-headed, and unruffled; keeping one's composure in the face of unexpected events.
neutralemotiondescriptions
How it's used
While 鎮定 implies a state of composure during a crisis or sudden change, 冷靜 is more versatile and can be used for general situations where one needs to think clearly. Using 鎮定 often carries a sense of bravery or strength of character, as it suggests the person is not easily shaken by external pressure.
Examples
No matter what happens, you must stay calm.
He remained very calm when he encountered the emergency.
Related words
Common phrases
stay calm
Common mistake
Beginners often confuse 鎮定 with 靜, but 靜 simply means quiet or still. Using 靜 to describe someone in a crisis might suggest they are just being silent rather than emotionally composed.
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.
