zang1 cung2爭寵争宠
Jyutpingzang1 cung2
Yalejāng chúng
Definition
To vie for someone's favor and attention.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
Originally describing concubines in a palace setting, this term now frequently applies to siblings, pets, or colleagues vying for a superior's or parent's affection. It carries a slightly negative or critical connotation, implying that the person's behaviour is attention-seeking or unnecessary. It is rarely used in a positive sense of healthy competition.
Examples
The two sisters are always competing for attention, it is so annoying.
Why do you need to compete for favour? Everyone loves you just the same.
Related words
Common phrases
in order to compete for favour
methods used to compete for favour
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply competing for an object or a prize, which would be 爭奪. 爭寵 specifically focuses on the emotional favour or personal attention of a specific individual.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
