zoeng1 gan6將近将近
Jyutpingzoeng1 gan6
Yalejēung gahn
Definition
Close to, nearly, or towards a certain time, point, or number.
neutraltimenumbers
How it's used
While standard in written Chinese, this term is frequently used in formal spoken Cantonese to indicate proximity to a specific time, age, or quantity. It carries a slightly more precise or objective tone compared to the more common colloquial expression 就嚟. It is often found in news reports or when someone is providing a factual estimate of a duration or distance.
Examples
It's nearly twelve o'clock now, you're still not sleeping?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with 就嚟, but remember that 就嚟 is strictly colloquial and cannot be used in formal writing. Additionally, avoid using 將近 with abstract concepts where a degree of uncertainty is implied, as it is best reserved for measurable quantities like time or numbers.
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.
