鍾意
zung1 ji3
To like in Cantonese is expressed as 鍾意 (zung1 ji3).
鍾意 is used as a verb to express that you find someone or something pleasant or attractive, including activities or hobbies. For example, you can say you 鍾意 reading books. If you want to say you 'really like' something, you can add 好 before the phrase to create 好鍾意.
Which one should you use?
While 鍾意 is used for general preferences and hobbies, the word 愛 (oi3) is reserved for a much stronger and more profound sense of 'love'. Additionally, do not confuse 鍾意 with the formal term Kei4 ji3 (似), which is used to express similarity or likeness rather than affection.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase 鍾意 is stable in Cantonese. It does not change its form based on the subject (such as I, you or he/she) or the tense of the sentence.
How do you pronounce it?
zung1 ji3
Did you know?
- While 鍾意 expresses attraction, the first character 鍾 historically refers to a 'bell' or the act of 'concentrating' one's attention on something.
- In Cantonese, if you say you 'like' a person using 鍾意, it can sometimes imply a romantic attraction or a 'crush' rather than just a platonic appreciation.
- If you find someone or something truly irresistible, you might use the hyperbolic expression 鍾意到死, which translates to 'liking to death'.
Examples in context
- 我鍾意睇書。I like reading books.This example shows how to use 鍾意 with an activity like reading.Tatoeba #1188107 by nickyeow, translation #261749 by CK
- 你鍾意就好喇。Glad you like it.This sentence demonstrates how to respond when someone expresses that they like something.Tatoeba #554634 by nickyeow, translation #64690 by CM
- 我鍾意打網球。I like playing tennis.This example illustrates using 鍾意 to express a preference for a sport.Tatoeba #1188100 by nickyeow, translation #39427 by CK
- 香港嘅美食同台灣嘅美食似。Hong Kong cuisine is similar to Taiwanese cuisine.
- 我鍾意煮食，可以俾朋友試下。I like cooking, I can let my friends try it.
- 120 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about a new restaurant.
- 俊傑 Chun Kit你鍾意呢度啲嘢食嗎？nei5 zung1 ji3 nei1 dou6 di1 je5 sik6 maa1?Do you like the food here?
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung好鍾意，好正！hou2 zung1 ji3, hou2 zeng3!I like it a lot, it's great!
- 俊傑 Chun Kit我最鍾意嗰個甜品。ngo5 zeoi3 zung1 ji3 go2 go3 tim4 ban2.I like that dessert the most.
- 曉彤 Hiu Tung我也係，下次再嚟。ngo5 jaa5 hai6, haa6 ci3 zoi3 lai4.Me too, let's come again next time.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
