coeng2 zik6搶食抢食
Jyutpingcoeng2 zik6
Yalechéung jihk
Definition
To engage in a feeding frenzy, or to fight and compete fiercely to make a living.
- to fight or scramble for food; a feeding frenzy
- figurativeto compete fiercely for business or to make a living
colloquialdaily actionswork
How it's used
Originally describing animals fighting over food, this term is now commonly used metaphorically for any situation where competition is fierce and resources are scarce. It carries a sense of desperation or cutthroat behavior, often implying that the environment is hostile or survival-focused. You will frequently hear it used to describe the intense job market or the scramble for limited-time offers in retail.
Examples
People are always fighting over the discounted items at this shop.
Everyone is fighting to make a living every day just for a paycheck.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply eating quickly. While it contains the word for eating, it is almost never used to describe the act of consuming a meal, but rather the competitive struggle surrounding resources.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
