專心
The English phrase concentrate means to focus one's thought or attention in Cantonese, and the default form is 專心.
專心 is used to indicate focusing one's attention. In Cantonese, 專心 is often followed directly by a verb or a verb phrase to indicate what one should be focusing on, such as in the phrase 專心做嘢 (concentrate on doing work).
Meaning: focus one's thought or attention (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The word 專心 consists of 專 (specialized/solely) and 心 (heart/mind), literally meaning to direct one's heart or mind solely toward something.
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle 啲 (di1) after 專心 makes it an instruction to 'concentrate more' or 'be more focused', resulting in 專心啲.
Did you know?
- Cantonese speakers often pair 專心 with the phrase 唔好分心, which literally means 'do not divide the heart'.
- In a classroom setting, a teacher might use 專心 not just to mean 'focus', but as a subtle way to tell students to 'stop talking' or 'be quiet'.
- In traditional Chinese medicine contexts, focusing the 心 (heart/mind) is seen as a way to balance the body's energy, making 專心 a spiritual practice as well as a mental one.
Examples in context
- 請大家專注地聆聽講座。Please concentrate and listen attentively to the lecture.
- 做嘢要專心。zou6 je5 jiu3 zyun1 sam1.You need to concentrate when working.
- 佢學嘢好專心。keoi5 hok6 je5 hou2 zyun1 sam1.He concentrates very well when learning.
Example conversation
Two students are studying together in the library.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit曉彤，你專心啲做練習。hiu2 tung4, nei5 zyun1 sam1 di1 zou6 lin6 zaap6.曉彤, concentrate more on your exercises.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我依家就專心。ngo5 ji1 gaa2 zau6 zyun1 sam1.I am concentrating now.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit你啱啱喺度玩電話。nei5 aam1 aam1 hai2 dou6 waan2 din6 waa2.You were just playing with your phone.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung好啦，我唔再睇電話。hou2 laa1, ngo5 m4 zoi3 tai2 din6 waa2.Okay, I won't look at my phone anymore.
