zi3志
Jyutpingzi3
Yaleji
Definition
Ambition, aspiration, or determination.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
志 is primarily a bound morpheme in Cantonese, rarely standing alone as a noun in daily speech. It appears most frequently in compound words like 志向 or 大志 to describe one's drive or life goals. When expressing the idea of having a goal, speakers often prefer using phrases like 有目標 or 想做乜嘢.
Examples
He has had great ambitions since he was little.
Do you still have the ambition to apply for university?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use 志 as a standalone word for ambition in casual conversation, as it sounds overly formal or literary. Always combine it with other characters to form a standard compound.
Grammar color guide
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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.
