cin4 jin4 bat1 deoi3 hau6 jyu5前言不對後語前言不对后语

Jyutpingcin4 jin4 bat1 deoi3 hau6 jyu5

Yalechìhn yìhn bāt deui hauh yúh

語句

Definition

To contradict oneself; to make statements that are inconsistent with what was said before.

colloquialcommunicationpeople

How it's used

This idiom is used to describe someone whose current statements contradict their previous ones, often implying they are lying or confused. It carries a negative connotation and is frequently used when questioning someone's credibility during an argument or interrogation. Unlike simple contradictions, it specifically highlights a temporal gap between the two conflicting statements.

Examples

keoi5佢gong2講je5嘢cin4前jin4言bat1不deoi3對hau6後jyu5語，seon3信m4唔gwo3過㗎。

He is inconsistent in what he says, he cannot be trusted.

nei5你zou6做me1咩gong2講je5嘢cin4前jin4言bat1不deoi3對hau6後jyu5語aa4呀？

Why are you being inconsistent with what you said earlier?

Common phrases

gong2講je5嘢cin4前jin4言bat1不deoi3對hau6後jyu5語

to speak inconsistently

Common mistake

Learners often mistakenly use this to describe a person who is simply indecisive or forgetful. It is specifically reserved for situations where the content of speech is logically incompatible, not just for general confusion or changing one's mind.