diu1 kiu4 nau2 ning6刁橋扭擰刁桥扭拧
Jyutpingdiu1 kiu4 nau2 ning6
Yaledīu kìuh náu nihng
Definition
To be picky, fussy, and difficult.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This expression vividly captures the behavior of someone who creates unnecessary obstacles or displays excessive fussiness. It is often used to describe someone who is being intentionally uncooperative or playing hard to get when asked to make a choice. The imagery suggests a person who is twisting and turning to avoid a straightforward agreement.
Examples
He is always being difficult and picky, making him hard to get along with.
Stop being so difficult and picky, make a decision quickly.
Related words
Common phrases
always being difficult and picky
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple adjective like 'picky', but it carries a stronger connotation of being deliberately obstructive or annoying in one's behavior. It is not used for someone who is just selective about food or quality, but rather for someone who is being difficult in a social or interpersonal context.
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.
