dung6 cou1動粗动粗
Jyutpingdung6 cou1
Yaleduhng chōu
Definition
To use violence towards someone; to resort to physical force.
colloquialpeopledaily actions
How it's used
Carries a slightly formal or literary tone despite being used in spoken Cantonese to describe physical altercations. It is often used as a warning or a description of someone losing their temper and becoming physical. Unlike more aggressive or vulgar terms for fighting, this carries a sense of disapproval towards the lack of self-control.
Examples
Let's talk it out slowly, don't resort to violence.
They started using violence just because they disagreed, it's really outrageous.
Related words
Common phrases
do not use violence
resort to violence at the slightest disagreement
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe a formal fight or a sports match, as it specifically refers to the act of initiating physical force in a conflict where it is inappropriate. It is not a synonym for a physical brawl or a structured fight.
Grammar color guide
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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.
