ding2 laap6鼎立
Jyutpingding2 laap6
Yaledíng laahp
Definition
To stand in a tripartite confrontation; to describe a situation where three dominating powers exist.
writtenother
How it's used
Originating from the ancient three-legged bronze vessel known as a 鼎, this term carries a formal and slightly literary weight. It is almost exclusively used to describe high-stakes competition or political landscapes where three distinct parties hold equal or significant power. You will rarely hear it in casual daily chatter, as it is more common in news reports, business analysis, or historical discussions.
Examples
The three companies have formed a situation of tripartite balance.
Has this industry already become a three-way power struggle?
Related words
Common phrases
three powers standing together
a situation of tripartite balance
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe just any group of three people or things. It specifically implies a power dynamic or a competitive standoff where the three parties are actively balancing or opposing each other.
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.
