zang1 hei3爭氣争气
Jyutpingzang1 hei3
Yalejāng hei
Definition
To make every effort to succeed; to win credit, honor, or respect for oneself or others.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
Often used by parents or teachers to encourage someone to prove their worth through hard work. It carries a strong sense of personal redemption or overcoming external low expectations. It is frequently used in the negative form 唔爭氣 to describe someone who fails to live up to expectations or keeps making the same mistakes.
Examples
You must make an effort to succeed and not let people look down on you.
He worked hard to succeed and finally got into university.
Related words
Common phrases
to fail to live up to expectations
to win respect for oneself
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 爭取, which means to strive for or fight for a specific goal or object. 爭氣 is about the internal drive and the resulting reputation or self-respect, rather than the act of acquiring a specific item.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
