zung2 tai2總體总体
Jyutpingzung2 tai2
Yalejúng tái
Definition
Overall, total, or whole.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This term is primarily used in formal, academic, or professional contexts rather than casual daily speech. It functions as a noun or an adjective to describe a comprehensive view or the sum of various parts. In everyday conversation, native speakers often prefer using 全部 or 整體 instead.
Examples
The overall effect of this plan is quite good.
How do you see the overall development of this matter?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use it as a direct translation for all or every, but it specifically refers to a collective whole or a holistic perspective. Avoid using it to describe simple quantities or counts where 全部 is more natural.
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.
