zi3 zoi6誌在志在
Jyutpingzi3 zoi6
Yaleji joih
Definition
To aim at, care about, or have one's interest and aspirations lie in a particular thing.
colloquialdaily actionsother
How it's used
Often used to downplay someone's underlying motive or to express that an action is performed for a specific, perhaps trivial, purpose rather than a serious goal. It frequently appears in the structure 誌在加個名 or 誌在開心, highlighting that the outcome is less important than the act itself. It carries a slightly dismissive or casual tone when describing why someone is doing something.
Examples
He is just doing it for the sake of participating.
Related words
Common phrases
just for the fun of it
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 志在, which is the standard written form. While 誌在 is common in casual writing and text messages, it is technically a non-standard character usage for the intended meaning of 'aspiration' or 'aim'.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Particle
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
