cin4 jim4前嫌
Jyutpingcin4 jim4
Yalechìhn yìhm
Definition
Previous enmity, resentment, or ill will from the past.
writtenemotionpeople
How it's used
Used almost exclusively in formal or literary contexts, this term feels quite heavy for everyday casual speech. It is most commonly encountered in the set phrase 冰釋前嫌, which describes the metaphorical melting away of ice to symbolize the resolution of conflict. You will rarely hear it used in isolation during a normal conversation.
Examples
They decided to let go of past grievances and be friends again.
What past enmity do you two still have left to resolve?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe simple disagreements or minor arguments, as it implies a deep-seated, long-standing grudge or historical conflict between parties.
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).
