zing2 can1整親整亲
Jyutpingzing2 can1
Yalejíng chān
Definition
To hurt or injure oneself, usually accidentally or carelessly.
colloquialbodyhealth
How it's used
This verb is used exclusively for accidental injuries rather than intentional harm. It acts as a resultative construction where the second syllable functions as a complement indicating the occurrence of the injury. It is highly versatile and can be applied to almost any body part or even abstract concepts like feelings, though physical injury is the primary context.
Examples
How did you hurt your foot?
He injured his knee playing football.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe intentional violence or medical conditions that develop over time. It specifically implies a sudden, accidental event, so it would sound strange to use it for a chronic illness or a deliberate punch.
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.
