ciu4 ceon4 mou6 co2朝秦暮楚
Jyutpingciu4 ceon4 mou6 co2
Yalechìuh chèuhn mouh chó
Definition
Fickle and changeable; describing someone whose stance, loyalty, or behavior constantly shifts.
writtenpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom originates from the Warring States period, referring to states that shifted their allegiance between the powerful Qin and Chu kingdoms. In modern Cantonese, it is used to criticize someone who lacks loyalty or a consistent stance, often implying a lack of integrity. It carries a stronger, more negative connotation than simply being indecisive.
Examples
He is such a fickle person, you cannot trust him.
Related words
Common phrases
to have a fickle personality
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a neutral description of having many choices or being flexible. It is strictly used to describe negative, unreliable behavior where someone constantly changes their mind or switches sides.
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.
