Like?

Cantonese is a potent language. My sister explained the simple profundity of the question "Do you like it?" The Cantonese equivalent is a compact, two character phrase: Jong Yee.


First Character

Jong

means on target. If you are an archer and your arrow struck the middle ring it's JONG

Second Character

Yee

means ideal. Your dream.


Together, the phrase is "Have I targeted your ideal?"

It's a phrase that gets bandied around daily. You could ask your children "Jong Yee Mah?" over the dinner table. If the phrase was a piece of furniture, it'd be a kitchen stool.