zou6 gung1 fo3做功課做功课
Jyutpingzou6 gung1 fo3
Yalejouh gūng fo
Definition
To do homework, or more broadly, to do preparatory research and study.
- to do homework assigned for school
- figurativeto do preparatory work, background research, or study beforehand
colloquialschoolwork
How it's used
Beyond the literal sense of school assignments, this phrase is frequently used metaphorically to mean doing research or preparation before a meeting, interview, or big decision. When someone says they need to do their homework before a negotiation, they mean they need to gather information or study the situation thoroughly. It carries a slightly informal tone but is widely accepted in professional settings to describe being well prepared.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the Mandarin phrase 做作業, which is not used in Cantonese. While you can use 功課 as a noun, you must use the verb 做 to form the action, as there is no single verb for this concept.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
