ci4 gau2 zin3持久戰持久战

Jyutpingci4 gau2 zin3

Yalechìh gáu jin

名詞

Definition

Protracted war; a prolonged war or conflict where endurance, persistence, and perseverance are key factors.

colloquialotherwork

How it's used

While originally a military term, this is frequently used metaphorically in daily life to describe any situation that requires extreme patience and endurance. It often describes tasks like long-term negotiations, studying for a difficult exam, or dealing with a persistent bureaucratic process. It implies that the outcome depends more on who can hold out the longest rather than who has the most immediate power.

Measure word

coeng4場chèungh

Examples

le1呢coeng4場ci4持gau2久zin3戰daa2打zo2咗hou2好noi6耐，daai6大gaa1家dou1都hou2好攰。

This protracted war has been going on for a long time, and everyone is exhausted.

nei5你zeon2準bei6備hou2好tung4同keoi5佢daa2打le1呢coeng4場ci4持gau2久zin3戰mei6未aa4呀？

Are you ready to engage in this long-term struggle with them?

Common phrases

daa2打ci4持gau2久zin3戰

to engage in a protracted struggle

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe a simple long task. It specifically carries the connotation of a struggle or a contest of wills where you are actively pitted against an opponent or a difficult set of circumstances.