經常用
ging1 soeng4 jung6
The English word "always" is expressed in Cantonese as 經常用 (ging1 soeng4 jung6).
While the English "always" can imply 100% of the time, 經常用 is more naturally used to mean "frequently" or "regularly" in a habitual sense.
Meaning: at all times (adv)
Which one should you use?
Cantonese uses different terms depending on the intended nuance and level of formality. 總係 is an informal way to say 'always' in the sense of 'usually' or 'typically.' If you mean "from beginning to end" or "throughout," use the formal 始終. For a formal "always," use 永遠. To express "all the time" or "constantly" in an informal way, use 成日.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hong Kong, the term 一向 is used to indicate a continuous or consistent state.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adverbial phrase, 經常用 typically precedes the verb it modifies in a sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
ging1 soeng4 jung6
Did you know?
- The informal term 成日 literally means 'whole day', but it is used to describe any recurring habit regardless of the time of day.
- When using 成日 to complain about someone, it often carries a nuance of annoyance similar to the English phrase 'always doing this'.
- The word 永遠 is used for 'always' in a poetic or eternal sense, such as 'always and forever', rather than for daily habits.
Examples in context
- 我永遠愛你 (ngo5 wing5 jyun4 oi3 nei5)I will always love you.
- 佢總係遲到 (keoi5 zung2 hai6 ci4 dou3)He is always late.
Example conversation
Two colleagues are talking about office supplies.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit雅婷，你有冇筆？aa2 ting4, nei5 jau5 mou5 bat1?Ya Ting, do you have a pen?
- 雅婷 Nga Ting有，我經常用呢支筆。jau5, ngo5 ging1 cung4 jung6 ni1 zi1 bat1.Yes, I always use this pen.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我可以借用一下嗎？ngo5 ho2 ji5 ze3 jung6 jat1 haa5 maa1?Can I borrow it for a moment?
- 雅婷 Nga Ting好，俾你用。hou2, bei2 nei5 jung6.Sure, you can use it.
