我鍾意
ngo5 zung1 ji3
In Cantonese, "I like" is said as 我鍾意 (ngo5 zung1 ji3).
A phrase used to express that someone finds something pleasant or enjoys it.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase 鍾意 (zung1 ji3) literally means 'to be fond of' or 'to like'.
Which one should you use?
You might encounter 我好鍾意 (ngo5 hou2 zung1 ji3) as an informal way to intensify liking or 我好中意 (ngo5 hou2 zung1 ji3) to convey a sense of fondness.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The phrase 我鐘意 (ngo5 zung1 ji3) is generally used in Hong Kong and Guangdong Province.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 鍾意 (zung1 ji3) can be followed directly by a noun or a verb to express liking an object or an activity.
How do you pronounce it?
ngo5 zung1 ji3
Did you know?
- If you find something extremely pleasing, you might use 鍾意到死 (zung1 ji3 dou3 sei2), which literally translates to 'like until death'.
- Unlike English, where you might 'like' a person, in Cantonese, saying 我鍾意你 (ngo5 zung1 ji3 nei5) is a very common and direct way to confess romantic interest.
- The characters for 'like' contain the radical for 'heart', suggesting that liking something is an emotion felt deep within the core of one's being.
Examples in context
- 我鍾意睇書。I like reading books.This sentence shows how to use 我鍾意 with a verb to talk about reading books.Tatoeba #1188107 by nickyeow, translation #261749 by CK
- 我鍾意打網球。I like playing tennis.This sentence shows how to use 我鍾意 with a verb to talk about playing tennis.Tatoeba #1188100 by nickyeow, translation #39427 by CK
- 我鍾意呢隻狗。I like this dog.This sentence shows how to use 我鍾意 with a noun to talk about a dog.Tatoeba #3475950 by nickyeow, translation #439591 by landano
- 我鍾意食嘢I like eating.
- 我喜歡運動I like sports.
- 我好鍾意睇電影I really like watching movies.
- 我好中意聽音樂I really enjoy listening to music.
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about food at a restaurant.
- 子健 Tsz Kin美玲，你鍾意食咩菜？mei5 ling4, nei5 zung1 ji3 sik6 me1 coi3?Mei Ling, what vegetables do you like to eat?
- 美玲 Mei Ling我鍾意食菜心。ngo5 zung1 ji3 sik6 coi3 sam1.I like eating choy sum.
- 子健 Tsz Kin咁我哋叫一份菜心啦。gam2 ngo5 dei6 giu3 jat1 fan6 coi3 sam1 laa1.Then let's order an order of choy sum.
- 美玲 Mei Ling好呀，子健。hou2 aa3, zi2 gin6.Okay, Zi Kin.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
