zi3 zoi6 cin1 lei5志在千里
Jyutpingzi3 zoi6 cin1 lei5
Yaleji joih chīn léih
Definition
Having great aspirations or lofty goals.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Often used to describe someone with a vision that extends far beyond their current surroundings or immediate circumstances. It carries a slightly literary or formal weight, so it is frequently used to comment on someone's character or life goals rather than in casual, mundane conversation. It is common to see it used in a slightly ironic way when someone's actions do not quite match their supposed grand ambitions.
Examples
He has had great aspirations since he was young and wants to develop his career abroad.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a standard adjective, but it functions more as a descriptive phrase for a person's mindset. It is not used to describe a specific task or a small, short-term goal.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
