dau3 hei3鬥氣斗气
Jyutpingdau3 hei3
Yaledau hei
Definition
To bicker, hold a grudge, or refuse to back down out of spite or stubbornness.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
This term describes a situation where two people act out of stubbornness or spite, often in a petty or childish way. It implies a back and forth dynamic where neither party is willing to back down, rather than a deep, long-term resentment. It is frequently used to describe couples or siblings who bicker to prove a point.
Examples
Why do you two always hold grudges against each other?
He deliberately ignored my calls just to spite me.
Related words
Common phrases
a bickering couple
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 記仇, which refers to holding a serious, long-term grudge or seeking revenge. 鬥氣 is usually temporary and behavioral, focusing on the act of being difficult or uncooperative in the moment.
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.
