zyut6 zung2絕種绝种
Jyutpingzyut6 zung2
Yalejyuht júng
Definition
To become extinct.
colloquialanimalsnature
How it's used
Often used metaphorically to describe things that are becoming rare or obsolete in modern society, such as a specific type of person or a dying craft. It carries a sense of finality and loss that goes beyond simple scarcity. When referring to the biological process, it is frequently paired with 瀕臨 to indicate that a species is on the brink of disappearing.
Examples
This kind of animal is about to go extinct.
Do you know which animals have already gone extinct?
Related words
Common phrases
critically endangered
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe inanimate objects that are just out of stock or sold out, as it specifically implies the permanent loss of a biological species or a unique, irreplaceable entity.
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.
