dou3 teoi3倒退
Jyutpingdou3 teoi3
Yaledou teui
Definition
To go backwards, retrogress, or decline in performance or standard.
- to move backwards physically
- to retrogress, regress, or decline in performance, standards, or economy
neutralworkother
How it's used
Focuses on a decline in quality, performance, or progress rather than physical movement. It is frequently used in formal contexts like news reports or academic discussions, though it remains perfectly understandable in daily conversation.
Examples
Why have their grades regressed so much?
Economic regression has caused many people to lose their jobs.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe walking backwards, which is expressed as 行後或者行返轉頭. It is strictly for abstract decline or regression.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
