zit3 hok6哲學哲学
Definition
Philosophy; the academic study of fundamental questions, or a particular system of principles and methods.
- philosophy; the academic study of fundamental questions using rational reflection
- a philosophy; a guiding set of principles, skills, methodology, or wisdom
How it's used
Beyond the academic discipline, this term is frequently used in daily life to describe someone's personal outlook, principles, or approach to living. When used in this sense, it often pairs with the measure word 套 to describe a specific system of beliefs or a unique way of handling situations. It carries a slightly intellectual or reflective nuance, even when applied to mundane matters like how one manages their time or money.
Measure word
tou3套touExamples
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a purely academic term. In Cantonese, it is very common to use it metaphorically to describe someone's personal 'life philosophy' or 'work philosophy', so do not be surprised to hear it used in casual conversation about everyday habits.
Grammar color guide
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.
