zoeng6匠
Jyutpingzoeng6
Yalejeuhng
Definition
Craftsman or artisan; an honorific term for someone skilled in a craft.
neutralpeoplework
How it's used
Unlike its use in Mandarin, where it often appears as a suffix for various professions, this character is rarely used as a standalone noun in spoken Cantonese. It is almost exclusively found in compound words like 木匠 or 鐵匠 to denote specific trades. Using it on its own to describe a person can sound overly formal or even archaic.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
He is a very famous carpenter.
This piece of art is the work of a master craftsman.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often try to use this to describe any worker, but it specifically implies a high level of skill or a traditional craft. Do not use it for modern industrial or office jobs, as it would sound out of place.
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.
