dik6敵敌
Jyutpingdik6
Yaledihk
Definition
Enemy, foe, or opponent.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Using 敵 as a standalone noun is quite formal and often sounds dramatic or literary. In everyday spoken Cantonese, people prefer using terms like 對手 for a competitor or 仇人 for someone they have a personal grudge against. It is most commonly encountered in set phrases or compound words like 敵人 or 敵對.
Examples
They are mortal enemies; they always argue when they meet.
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using 敵 to describe a sports rival or a simple opponent, as it carries a heavy connotation of hostility or war. For sports or games, always use 對手 instead.
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.
