zi6 ngo5 zok3 gu2自我作古
Jyutpingzi6 ngo5 zok3 gu2
Yalejih ngóh jok gú
Definition
To be a pioneer or originator of something; to not be bound by conventionality.
writtenpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a nuanced sense of breaking away from established norms to forge a new path. While it can imply creativity and leadership, it is occasionally used to describe someone who is stubbornly individualistic or refuses to follow standard procedures. It is a more sophisticated, literary expression that is rarely used in casual, everyday speech.
Examples
He likes to be a pioneer, always coming up with novel ideas.
Why must you follow the rules? Sometimes being unconventional is not bad at all.
Related words
Common phrases
brave enough to be a pioneer
the spirit of being a pioneer
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a purely positive term for innovation, but it can carry a slightly negative connotation of being overly eccentric or disregarding necessary conventions depending on the context.
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.
