zeon6 zung1 zik1 sau2盡忠職守尽忠职守
Jyutpingzeon6 zung1 zik1 sau2
Yalejeuhn jūng jīk sáu
Definition
To do one's duty and perform one's job to the best of one's ability.
neutralwork
How it's used
This idiom carries a formal and respectful tone, often used to praise someone's professional integrity or commitment to their role. While it is a four-character idiom, it fits naturally into spoken Cantonese sentences when describing someone's work ethic. It implies a sense of loyalty and duty that goes beyond just finishing a task, suggesting a moral obligation to the position held.
Examples
He is very dedicated to his work and never slacks off.
Do you think this manager is truly dedicated to their duty?
Related words
Common phrases
a dedicated employee
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe someone who is simply busy or hardworking. It specifically refers to being faithful and responsible to one's duties, rather than just the intensity of the effort.
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.
