zong3 ding1壯丁壮丁
Jyutpingzong3 ding1
Yalejong dīng
Definition
An able-bodied or strong young man.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Carries a slightly humorous or old-fashioned nuance when used in modern daily life, often implying someone is being recruited for manual labor. It is frequently used in a lighthearted way to describe friends who are physically capable of helping with heavy tasks like moving furniture. The term originates from historical contexts of conscription but has evolved into a playful label for strong helpers.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
Are there any strong men here to help move things?
They found a few able-bodied men to move the piano.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a man's general physique or attractiveness, as it specifically emphasizes physical strength for labor rather than appearance. It can sound patronizing if used to refer to someone who is not actually performing a task.
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.
