dung6 mou5動武动武

Jyutpingdung6 mou5

Yaleduhng móuh

動詞Uncommon

Definition

To use physical force, start a fight, or resort to arms.

colloquialdaily actionspeople

How it's used

This term carries a formal or literary weight that makes it sound slightly dramatic or serious when used in casual speech. It is often employed to de-escalate a tense situation by highlighting the absurdity of resorting to physical violence. You will frequently hear it paired with idioms about civil discourse to contrast physical aggression with verbal communication.

Examples

jau5有waa6話maan6慢maan2慢gong2講，m4唔hou2好jat1一lei4嚟zau6就dung6動mou5武aa4呀。

Let's talk it out slowly, don't resort to violence right away.

keoi5佢dei6哋loeng5兩go3個king1傾m4唔dim6掂sou2數，caa1差di1啲dung6動mou5武tim1添。

The two of them couldn't reach an agreement and almost started fighting.

Common phrases

gwan1君zi2子dung6動hau2口bat1不dung6動sau2手

A gentleman uses his words, not his hands.

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe minor physical contact or roughhousing, as it specifically implies a serious intent to harm or a significant escalation of conflict. It is not a casual way to say someone is hitting another person.