zoeng1 daai6張大张大
Jyutpingzoeng1 daai6
Yalejēung daaih
Definition
To open wide.
colloquialbodydaily actions
How it's used
Focuses specifically on the physical act of widening an orifice or aperture, most commonly the mouth or eyes. It functions as a transitive verb phrase where the object follows immediately after. It is rarely used in abstract contexts, unlike the Mandarin equivalent which can sometimes imply metaphorical expansion.
Examples
He opens his mouth wide to eat.
Related words
Common phrases
open one's mouth wide
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the verb 擴大, which refers to expanding the scale, scope, or size of something abstract like a business or a plan. Use 張大 only for physical, anatomical features.
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.
