zing1 tou2征討征讨
Jyutpingzing1 tou2
Yalejīng tóu
Definition
To send an army to punish or attack others; to go on a punitive expedition.
writtenother
How it's used
Carries a strong sense of military action taken as a form of punishment or retribution against an enemy. It is rarely used in modern daily life to describe actual warfare, appearing mostly in historical dramas, literature, or when someone is being overly dramatic about a conflict. Using it in a casual context often sounds archaic or intentionally hyperbolic.
Examples
In ancient times, emperors were always invading foreign tribes.
Do you think you can just go around invading others as you please?
Related words
Common phrases
to send troops on a punitive expedition
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general term for war or fighting, but it specifically implies a punitive expedition or a campaign to suppress a rebellion. It is not a neutral word for simply attacking someone.
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.
