zing1偵侦
Jyutpingzing1
Yalejīng
Definition
To secretly detect, observe, and investigate.
neutralwork
How it's used
Functions primarily as a bound morpheme in formal or legal contexts, appearing in compound words rather than as a standalone verb. It carries a sense of professional or official investigation, distinguishing it from casual observation or looking at something.
Examples
The police cracked a major case.
They are investigating that suspect.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this word to mean looking at something casually, as it implies a systematic or covert investigative process. It is almost exclusively found in written or formal spoken registers.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
