deoi3 tau4對頭对头
Jyutpingdeoi3 tau4
Yaledeui tàuh
Definition
An opponent, rival, or enemy; or a contact person representing an organization in a matter.
- opponent; competitor; enemy
- contact person; representative for a specific matter
colloquialpeople
How it's used
Refers specifically to someone who stands in direct opposition or competition, often implying a long-standing rivalry. While it can describe business competitors, it carries a slightly more personal or intense weight than the generic competitor. It is frequently used in the compound 死對頭 to emphasize an irreconcilable, bitter enemy.
Measure word
go3個goExamples
The two of them are business rivals.
Why would you want to work with that opponent?
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the Mandarin usage where it can mean a contact person or representative, as that meaning is not standard in Cantonese. In Cantonese, it almost exclusively carries the negative connotation of an adversary.
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.
