daan1 dou1 fu6 wui6單刀赴會单刀赴会
Jyutpingdaan1 dou1 fu6 wui6
Yaledāan dōu fuh wuih
Definition
To attend a potentially dangerous meeting alone or with very few companions; used to praise courage and wisdom.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
Originating from the historical tale of Guan Yu in the Three Kingdoms period, this idiom carries a strong sense of admiration for someone who displays both courage and strategic confidence. It is typically used to describe a person entering a potentially hostile or intimidating environment without backup. While it implies bravery, it also suggests that the person has the necessary wit or status to handle the situation solo.
Examples
He went to the meeting all by himself, he is really brave.
Are you brave enough to go to the meeting alone to negotiate this deal?
Related words
Common phrases
the courage to go alone to a meeting
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for simply going somewhere alone, but it specifically implies a situation involving negotiation, conflict, or a high stakes meeting where one is outnumbered or at risk.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
