zung1 oi3鍾愛钟爱
Jyutpingzung1 oi3
Yalejūng oi
Definition
To love; to cherish; to be very fond of.
colloquialemotiondaily actions
How it's used
This is the most fundamental and versatile verb for expressing preference or affection in Cantonese. Unlike the formal 喜愛, which often appears in written contexts or when describing deep, long-term passions, 鍾意 is used for everything from liking a specific food to being in love with a person. It is essentially the default choice for expressing any degree of positive feeling towards an object or activity.
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use 鍾意 to mean 'want' because it sounds similar to Mandarin words for desire, but it strictly expresses a state of liking. If you want to express a desire to do something, use 想要 or 諗住 instead.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
