zi3 zoi6志在
Jyutpingzi3 zoi6
Yaleji joih
Definition
To care about, value, or be interested in achieving something.
- literaryone's ambition or aspiration
- to care about, pay attention to, or be interested in
colloquialemotiondaily actions
How it's used
Often used in the negative form 唔志在 to express indifference or a lack of desire for something. It carries a nuance of being above or beyond needing a specific outcome, implying that the person has other priorities or simply does not value the object in question. It is frequently used when discussing money, rewards, or social status.
Examples
He doesn't care about that job at all.
Related words
Common phrases
to not care / to be indifferent
Common mistake
Learners often confuse 志在 with wanting something, but it is more about where one's focus or intention lies. Using it in a positive sense can sometimes sound slightly formal or pretentious, whereas the negative 唔志在 is extremely common in casual speech.
Grammar color guide
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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.
