baa2 ci4把持
Jyutpingbaa2 ci4
Yalebá chìh
Definition
To control one's desires and behavior, or to monopolize power over an organization.
- to keep one's desires and behavior under control to comply with morality or law
- literaryto monopolize power, dominate, or control an organization or group
neutralpeopleemotion
How it's used
Primarily used in the context of resisting temptation or maintaining moral integrity, it implies a struggle against internal impulses. While it can describe holding power over an organization, the most common everyday usage focuses on self-discipline. It is almost always used in the negative form, 把持唔住, to describe someone failing to maintain their composure or moral standards.
Examples
Facing so many temptations, he managed to keep himself under control.
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with simple control, but it carries a specific weight of moral or ethical restraint. It is not used for controlling inanimate objects or mundane tasks like driving a car or managing a schedule.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
