zin2展
Jyutpingzin2
Yalejín
Definition
To actively display, show, showcase, or exhibit something for people to see.
neutralworkdescriptions
How it's used
This character is rarely used as a standalone verb in spoken Cantonese, functioning primarily as a morpheme in compound words. It carries a formal or professional tone, often appearing in contexts related to public displays, exhibitions, or the formal demonstration of skills. When expressing the simple act of showing something to someone in daily life, speakers almost always prefer using 俾人睇 or 展示.
Examples
He exhibited many works at the exhibition.
Do you need to show off your talent to others?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 展 as a direct verb for showing everyday objects, such as showing a friend a photo. In those casual situations, 展 sounds overly dramatic or literary; use 俾人睇 instead.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
