cin4 fu6 hau6 gai3前仆後繼前仆后继
Definition
To advance wave upon wave, with those behind filling the gap as those in front fall, describing heroic combat.
How it's used
This idiom is primarily used to describe a scene of intense struggle or collective effort where individuals continue to push forward despite the failure or sacrifice of those before them. It carries a heroic or dramatic tone, often found in historical accounts or descriptions of high stakes situations. Unlike simpler phrases for following someone, it emphasizes the continuous, relentless nature of the movement.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say 'following someone' in a queue or a line. It is strictly reserved for contexts involving sacrifice, intense struggle, or a determined collective effort, and sounds overly dramatic if used for mundane activities like waiting for a bus.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
