diu6 but6調撥调拨
Jyutpingdiu6 but6
Yalediuh buht
Definition
To sow discord; to stir up trouble between people.
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
This term is almost exclusively used in the context of interpersonal relationships where someone intentionally creates conflict between two parties. It carries a strong negative connotation of being manipulative or malicious. While it sounds slightly more formal than common slang, it is still frequently used in everyday conversation to describe toxic behavior.
Examples
He is always sowing discord behind people's backs, it's so annoying.
Don't listen to his nonsense, he's just trying to sow discord between us.
Related words
Common phrases
to sow discord and spread rumors
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with the Mandarin usage of the same characters, which can refer to allocating funds or resources. In Cantonese, the meaning is strictly focused on interpersonal manipulation and conflict.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
