bat1 zuk1 wai4 pang4不足為憑不足为凭
Jyutpingbat1 zuk1 wai4 pang4
Yalebāt jūk wàih pàhng
Definition
Insufficient as evidence or proof; not enough to rely on as a basis for belief.
writtencommunicationother
How it's used
This is a formal idiom often used in legal, academic, or serious argumentative contexts to dismiss evidence as unreliable. It carries a tone of authoritative judgment, signaling that the information provided lacks the weight or credibility required to establish a fact. You will rarely hear this in casual conversation, as it sounds quite bookish and rigid.
Examples
Just relying on his one-sided story is simply not enough proof.
These photos are blurry, how can you say they are insufficient as proof?
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general way to say something is not enough, but it is specifically about the quality of evidence or proof. Do not use it to describe physical quantities, such as having insufficient money or time.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
