zung1 sam1 gang2 gang2忠心耿耿
Jyutpingzung1 sam1 gang2 gang2
Yalejūng sām gáng gáng
Definition
Extremely loyal and devoted.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of unwavering, almost old-fashioned dedication that goes beyond simple reliability. It is frequently used in professional or dramatic contexts to describe someone who sticks by a leader or a cause regardless of the circumstances. Because it is a four-character idiom, it sounds more formal and emphatic than using the simple adjective 忠心.
Examples
He is truly loyal and devoted to his boss.
Related words
Common phrases
a loyal and devoted subordinate
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a standard adjective that can be used freely in any casual sentence. It is an idiom that carries significant weight, so using it to describe minor acts of loyalty, like a friend buying you a coffee, sounds overly dramatic or sarcastic.
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.
