dau3 paau1鬥拋斗抛
Jyutpingdau3 paau1
Yaledau pāau
Definition
To show off one's moves before a fight, or to engage in a verbal dispute using foul language.
- slangto show off one's moves before a fight
- slangto argue or dispute using foul language
colloquialpeopleslang
How it's used
This term captures the specific image of two people puffing out their chests or posturing aggressively before a physical confrontation. It implies a performative element where the participants are trying to intimidate each other through verbal abuse or body language. It is strictly used in informal, often heated, social contexts.
Examples
The two of them are showing off and arguing in the street, it is so noisy.
Related words
Common phrases
to engage in a shouting match and act petty
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply arguing, as it specifically carries the connotation of posturing or trying to look tough. It is not used for a calm or logical debate.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
