勁 + X

Seriously X

Level 4Sounds Like ging6

The pattern 勁 (ging6) + X is a high-frequency slang intensifier used to emphasize the degree of a quality or action. It is more expressive and informal than the standard 好 (hou2).

How It Works

1. Function and Nuance
勁 (ging6) is used to add emphasis, often implying that the speaker is impressed, shocked, or particularly focused on the intensity of the situation. While 好 (hou2) is the neutral 'very', 勁 (ging6) is closer to 'seriously', 'super', or 'hella' in English slang.

2. Usage as an Adjective
Unlike some other intensifiers, 勁 (ging6) can be used as a standalone adjective meaning 'talented', 'awesome', or 'powerful'. For example: 佢好勁 (keoi5 hou2 ging6) — 'He is really awesome/talented'.

3. Usage with Adjectives
It precedes the adjective to intensify it: 勁貴 (ging6 gwai3) — 'Seriously expensive'; 勁靚 (ging6 leng3) — 'Super beautiful'.

4. Usage with Verbs and 咗
When used with verbs, it indicates that the action is being done with great intensity. It is frequently paired with the perfective particle 咗 (zo2) to describe an intense session of an activity: 勁玩咗 (ging6 waan2 zo2) — 'played hard/intensely'.

5. Register and Tone
This is strictly colloquial. You will hear it constantly in Hong Kong daily life, but you should avoid it in formal writing. In those contexts, use 非常 (fei1 soeng4) instead.

Examples (6)

  1. 呢碗麵勁辣啊！

    This bowl of noodles is seriously spicy!

    Word by Word: This bowl noodles seriously spicy [particle]!

    Here, 勁 (ging6) intensifies the adjective 辣 (laat6 - spicy) to show a high degree of heat.

  2. 佢今日勁開心，因為放假。

    He is super happy today because he's on holiday.

    Word by Word: He today seriously happy, because release holiday.

    勁 (ging6) is used with the multi-syllabic adjective 開心 (hoi1 sam1 - happy) to show extreme emotion.

  3. 尋晚我哋去咗嗰間餐廳勁食。

    Last night we went to that restaurant and ate a ton.

    Word by Word: Last night we go [past] that [classifier] restaurant seriously eat.

    In this case, 勁 (ging6) intensifies the verb 食 (sik6 - to eat), implying they ate a large amount or very enthusiastically.

  4. 嗰套戲勁好睇！

    That movie is seriously good!

    Word by Word: That [classifier] movie seriously good-looking!

    好睇 (hou2 tai2) means 'good to watch'. Adding 勁 (ging6) makes it 'seriously good'.

  5. 佢打波好勁㗎！

    He is really awesome at playing ball!

    Word by Word: He play ball very powerful [particle]!

    In this example, 勁 (ging6) acts as a standalone adjective meaning 'powerful' or 'talented' rather than an intensifier.

  6. 我尋晚勁玩咗五個鐘電腦。

    I played on the computer intensely for five hours last night.

    Word by Word: I last-night seriously play [perfective] five [classifier] hour computer.

    勁 (ging6) is often paired with 咗 (zo2) to emphasize the intensity of a completed action.

Common Mistakes

  • Using 勁 (ging6) in formal writing or professional emails.

    經理，今日嘅會議勁重要。
    經理，今日嘅會議非常重要。

    勁 (ging6) is slang. In a professional context with a manager, use 非常 (fei1 soeng4) or 十分 (sap6 fan1) for 'very'.

  • Thinking 勁 (ging6) fits only good things.

    Different Meaning佢個人好衰。
    佢個人勁衰。

    佢個人好衰 is fine too; 勁 (ging6) just makes it stronger and more slangy. Learners often think 勁 only means 'powerful/good', but it can intensify negative traits like 衰 (seoi1 - bad/mean) as easily.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

勁 + XLevel 4Seriously X

Learn This First

To use '勁' as an intensifier, learners first need to understand how adjectives work in Cantonese and how basic degree markers like '好' are placed before the adjective to modify its intensity.

Words in This Pattern

劲