zung1 jung4 zi1 dou3中庸之道
Jyutpingzung1 jung4 zi1 dou3
Yalejūng yùhng jī dou
Definition
The golden mean; the Middle Way.
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How it's used
Refers to the Confucian ideal of avoiding extremes and finding a balanced, moderate path. While rooted in classical philosophy, it is frequently invoked in modern discussions about conflict resolution or personality traits. It carries a slightly formal or intellectual weight compared to everyday slang.
Examples
It is most important to know the golden mean when dealing with people and affairs.
Do you think it is a good thing to always talk about the golden mean in everything?
Related words
Common phrases
to emphasize the golden mean
to practice the golden mean
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
