zi1 zoeng2滋長滋长
Jyutpingzi1 zoeng2
Yalejī jéung
Definition
To grow and multiply, as bacteria, weeds, ideas, or feelings.
neutralhealthother
How it's used
Often used in negative contexts to describe the spread of undesirable things like germs, corruption, or bad habits. While it can technically refer to growth in a neutral sense, it carries a strong connotation of something spreading unchecked or festering. It is more formal than simple verbs like 生長 or 變多.
Examples
The environment here is terrible, it is very easy for bacteria to grow.
If you continue to indulge him, it will only foster his bad habits.
Related words
Common phrases
to breed bacteria
to encourage unhealthy trends
Common mistake
Do not use this word to describe the healthy growth of a child or a plant, as it implies an unwanted or parasitic proliferation.
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.
