bat1 gam1 si6 joek6不甘示弱
Jyutpingbat1 gam1 si6 joek6
Yalebāt gām sih yeuhk
Definition
To refuse to admit being inferior; unwilling to show weakness or be outdone.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom describes a competitive spirit where one feels compelled to match or exceed the performance of others. It is often used in contexts of rivalry, such as sports, academic achievements, or even playful banter between friends. Unlike simply wanting to win, it specifically highlights the refusal to be perceived as inferior.
Related words
Common phrases
to act in a way that shows no sign of weakness
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this as a direct translation for being competitive, but it specifically carries the nuance of a reactive response to someone else's actions or success. It is not used to describe a general personality trait, but rather a specific instance of standing one's ground.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
