zi1 deng6知埞
Jyutpingzi1 deng6
Yalejī dehng
Definition
To know what one is doing, or to understand the rules of the game.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Literally referring to knowing the location or space, this term has evolved to mean having the social awareness or competence to handle a specific situation correctly. It is often used to praise someone for being sensible or to warn someone who is acting out of line. It implies a sense of knowing the unwritten rules of a social or professional environment.
Examples
He knows what he is doing at work, no need to worry about him.
Related words
Common phrases
very sensible and aware of the situation
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply knowing a physical location. It is strictly about behavioral awareness and situational judgment, not about geographical knowledge.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Adjective
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
