zi3 gan2至緊至紧
Jyutpingzi3 gan2
Yaleji gán
Definition
Most important; critical; of the utmost urgency.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
Often used interchangeably with 最緊要, this term emphasizes the absolute priority of a situation. It functions as an adverbial modifier or a predicate adjective to highlight what cannot be overlooked. It carries a slightly more emphatic and colloquial tone than standard formal expressions for importance.
Examples
Remember to bring your passport tomorrow, that is the most critical thing.
Related words
Common phrases
the most important thing is
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 緊要, which can mean serious or urgent in a negative sense, whereas 至緊 focuses on the highest priority or essential requirement.
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.
