ze3 geng3借鏡借镜
Jyutpingze3 geng3
Yaleje geng
Definition
To use others' words or actions as a reference, mirror, or lesson.
neutralother
How it's used
Focuses on the metaphorical act of using someone else's situation as a mirror to reflect on one's own behavior. It carries a slightly formal or moralistic tone, often appearing in advice, critiques, or discussions about past mistakes. Unlike simple observation, it implies an active process of learning or self-correction.
Examples
His failure is the best lesson for us to learn from.
Why don't you use other people's experience as a reference?
Related words
Common phrases
serve as a lesson
take as a warning or lesson
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal act of borrowing an object, but it is strictly used for abstract concepts like lessons, experiences, or historical events. Do not use it to mean borrowing a physical mirror.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
