am3 zin3 soeng1 jan4暗箭傷人暗箭伤人
Jyutpingam3 zin3 soeng1 jan4
Yaleam jin sēung yàhn
Definition
To shoot arrows from a hidden place; metaphorically, to injure or slander someone by insidious, underhanded means.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong negative connotation, describing someone who acts underhandedly rather than confronting others directly. It is often used to criticize office politics or social betrayal where someone spreads rumors or sabotages a colleague behind their back. Unlike direct confrontation, this phrase highlights the cowardice of the attacker.
Examples
He loves stabbing people in the back.
Why do you have to be so despicable and play dirty?
Related words
Common phrases
despicably stabbing someone in the back
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe physical attacks or actual archery, as it is strictly a metaphor for verbal or social sabotage. It is a formal idiom that sounds quite serious, so using it in a casual setting might make the speaker sound overly dramatic or literary.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
