zing1 cou1貞操贞操
Jyutpingzing1 cou1
Yalejīng chōu
Definition
Virginity, chastity, or celibacy; refraining from sex before marriage.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
This term carries a heavy, traditional moral weight and is rarely used in casual, everyday conversation among friends. It is more common in formal contexts, literature, or when discussing conservative values and expectations regarding sexual behavior. Using it in a lighthearted way can sound overly dramatic or archaic.
Examples
She values her chastity very much.
Are you still a virgin?
Related words
Common phrases
to lose one's virginity
to maintain one's chastity
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the casual term 處女, which refers specifically to a virgin woman. 貞操 is an abstract concept of virtue or purity rather than a label for a person's status.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
