zong6 zeng3撞正

Jyutpingzong6 zeng3

Yalejohng jeng

動詞Uncommon

Definition

To happen to meet or run into by chance, or to experience a scheduling clash.

to run into; to encounter unexpectedly by coincidence
to have a schedule conflict; to clash in terms of time

colloquialdaily actionstime

How it's used

Focuses on the serendipitous or inconvenient timing of an encounter or event. It carries a strong sense of coincidence, implying that the timing was either perfectly lucky or perfectly troublesome. It is frequently used to describe scheduling conflicts where two obligations overlap.

Examples

ngo5我lok6落lau2樓maai5買je5嘢，dim2點zi1知zong6撞zeng3正gau6舊tung4同hok6學。

I went downstairs to buy something, and unexpectedly bumped into an old classmate.

nei5你ting1聽jat6日jau5有mou5冇hung1空？ngo5我paa3怕zong6撞zeng3正jiu3要hoi1開wui2會。

Are you free tomorrow? I am worried it will clash with a meeting.

Common phrases

zong6撞zeng3正si4時gaan3間

to have a schedule clash

zong6撞zeng3正go3個kei4期

to coincide with a specific date

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with simply meeting someone by chance. It specifically implies that the timing is the key factor, often suggesting that the encounter happened at the exact moment something else was occurring.