zi6 dung6自動自动
Jyutpingzi6 dung6
Yalejih duhng
Definition
Voluntarily, willingly, or of one's own accord; taking the initiative without being asked.
colloquialdaily actionspeople
How it's used
Unlike the English word automatic which often refers to machines, this term is frequently used to describe a person's initiative or proactiveness. It implies taking action without being prompted or nagged by others. It carries a positive connotation of being responsible or helpful.
Examples
He is very well-behaved and tidies up his toys voluntarily.
Do you need to sign up for it of your own accord?
Related words
Common phrases
self-motivated and disciplined
to volunteer for a task
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it is often used for mechanical processes. In Cantonese, when describing a person, it specifically highlights their willingness to act without external pressure, whereas using it for machines might sound slightly unnatural compared to other technical terms.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
