zeon1 ziu3遵照
Jyutpingzeon1 ziu3
Yalejēun jiu
Definition
To act in accordance with; to comply with or follow instructions, suggestions, or guidelines.
writtenworkcommunication
How it's used
This term carries a formal and serious tone, often used in professional, legal, or administrative contexts. It implies a strict adherence to rules, orders, or someone's explicit wishes. It is rarely used in casual conversation between friends, where people would prefer to use 聽話 or 跟住做 instead.
Examples
We will handle the matter according to the instructions.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often use this word in everyday situations where it sounds overly stiff or bureaucratic. Using it to describe following a friend's casual suggestion makes you sound like you are speaking in a legal document rather than a natural conversation.
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.
