cin4 puk1 hau6 gai3前仆后繼前仆后继
Jyutpingcin4 puk1 hau6 gai3
Yalechìhn pūk hauh gai
Definition
To advance courageously in waves, where one falls and the next takes their place.
writtenpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom describes a scene where people continue to advance despite others falling in battle or failing in their attempts. It carries a strong sense of heroic sacrifice and collective determination. While it originates from military contexts, it is now frequently applied to any situation where people persist in a difficult task despite setbacks.
Related words
Common phrases
the spirit of sacrificing oneself for the greater good
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple synonym of working hard, but it specifically implies a sequence of people taking over after others have failed or been incapacitated. Using it to describe a single person's effort is incorrect as it requires the imagery of a group.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
