deoi3 bou6 gung1 tong4對簿公堂对簿公堂
Jyutpingdeoi3 bou6 gung1 tong4
Yaledeui bouh gūng tòhng
Definition
To settle a dispute in court; to litigate or argue in a court of law.
writtenother
How it's used
This is a formal idiom that carries a heavy, serious tone, often implying a final breakdown in a relationship. It is rarely used in casual conversation unless the speaker is being dramatic or emphasizing the gravity of a legal dispute. It specifically refers to the act of facing an opponent before a judge, rather than just the general process of filing a lawsuit.
Examples
The two brothers ended up in court fighting over the family inheritance.
Related words
Common phrases
eventually end up in court
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general term for going to court, but it specifically implies a direct confrontation between two parties in front of a judge. It is not used for administrative legal procedures or simple filings.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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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.
