deoi3 daap3 jyu4 lau4對答如流对答如流
Jyutpingdeoi3 daap3 jyu4 lau4
Yaledeui daap yùh làuh
Definition
To converse smoothly; to answer questions fluently and effortlessly.
neutralcommunicationpeople
How it's used
This idiom is typically reserved for formal settings like interviews, press conferences, or academic debates where someone demonstrates high competence. It implies not just fluency, but a sense of composure and intelligence under pressure. Using it to describe casual small talk would sound overly dramatic or sarcastic.
Examples
Facing the reporter's questions, he was surprisingly able to answer fluently.
How did you practice to become so fluent in conversation?
Related words
Common phrases
to perform with fluent responses
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe someone who is simply talkative or chatty, but it specifically emphasizes the ability to handle difficult questions or challenges with ease.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
