faa3 gon1 gwo1 wai4 juk6 baak6化干戈為玉帛化干戈为玉帛
Jyutpingfaa3 gon1 gwo1 wai4 juk6 baak6
Yalefa gōn gwō wàih yuhk baahk
Definition
To resolve conflict, make peace, and turn swords into plowshares.
writtencommunicationother
How it's used
This is a formal idiom often used in news reports or serious discussions to describe the resolution of a conflict. While it sounds quite literary, people use it in spoken Cantonese to add a sense of gravity or to make a sincere appeal for reconciliation. It implies a deliberate choice to abandon hostility in favor of a friendly relationship.
Examples
Why don't we just make peace and sit down to talk it out?
They finally made peace and stopped arguing.
Related words
Common phrases
to bury the hatchet
Common mistake
Avoid using this in casual, everyday arguments between friends, as it sounds overly dramatic or sarcastic. It is better suited for serious disputes or formal negotiations.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
