caap3 hyut3 wai4 mang4插血為盟插血为盟
Jyutpingcaap3 hyut3 wai4 mang4
Yalechaap hyut wàih màhng
Definition
To prick one's finger to draw blood for a ceremonial oath.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
This idiom carries a heavy, dramatic tone often associated with historical dramas or triad-related fiction. It is rarely used to describe actual modern-day events, serving instead as a hyperbolic way to describe a very serious, unbreakable promise between people. Using it in casual conversation often adds a layer of irony or sarcasm regarding the sincerity of a pledge.
Examples
They once made a blood oath, but who knew they would fall out in the end.
Are you two planning to make a blood oath and be brothers for life?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a simple promise or a formal contract, as it specifically implies a ritualistic, life-or-death commitment. It is strictly metaphorical in modern usage and should not be taken literally.
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).
