zing3 kok3正確正确
Jyutpingzing3 kok3
Yalejing kok
Definition
Correct, right, accurate, or proper; conforming to facts or truth.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
While 正確 is widely understood and used in formal contexts, everyday spoken Cantonese almost exclusively uses 啱 to express that something is right or correct. Using 正確 in casual conversation can sound overly formal, academic, or like a direct translation from written Chinese. It is most commonly reserved for professional settings, official documents, or when emphasizing the objective accuracy of a statement.
Examples
Is this way of doing things correct?
Everything he said is correct.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often overuse 正確 in casual settings where 啱 is much more natural. Additionally, do not confuse it with 準確, which specifically refers to precision or accuracy in measurements rather than general correctness.
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.
