zik6 gan1植根
Jyutpingzik6 gan1
Yalejihk gān
Definition
To take root; to establish a base or foundation in a place and call it home.
neutralpeopleplaces
How it's used
Often used in formal or semi-formal contexts to describe a long-term commitment to a location or community. It carries a sense of permanence and emotional connection, suggesting that someone has made a conscious choice to build their life or foundation in a specific place.
Examples
He decided to plant his roots in Hong Kong to develop his career.
Are you planning to put down roots and live here?
Related words
Common phrases
to take root in Hong Kong
to take root in the community
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the literal botanical act of planting a tree, which would be 栽種. Using it for physical gardening sounds unnatural, as it is almost exclusively used for abstract concepts like business, culture, or personal life foundations.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
