zing3 dong3正當正当
Jyutpingzing3 dong3
Yalejing dong
Definition
Proper, legal, and socially acceptable; appropriate.
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
Focuses on the legitimacy or social acceptability of an action or career path. It implies that the subject is not involved in anything shady, illegal, or morally questionable. It is frequently used by older generations to express concern about someone's lifestyle or source of income.
Examples
His job is very proper, no need to worry.
Why don't you find a proper job?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe physical objects or aesthetic beauty, as it strictly relates to social norms and legality. It is not a synonym for correct or accurate in a technical sense.
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.
