zim1瞻
Jyutpingzim1
Yalejīm
Definition
To gaze at, look up at, or regard respectfully.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This character is primarily used in formal or literary contexts and is rarely part of everyday spoken Cantonese. It is most commonly encountered in fixed idioms like 瞻前顧後, which describes someone who is overly worried about potential consequences before acting. Using it in casual conversation will sound stiff or overly dramatic.
Examples
He is always overly cautious and hesitant, making it hard to make decisions.
You are gazing into the distance, what exactly are you thinking about?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 睇, which is the standard, neutral verb for to look. Never use 瞻 in place of 睇 when talking about everyday actions like watching television or looking at a book.
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.
