faan2 seon4 soeng1 gei1反唇相譏反唇相讥
Jyutpingfaan2 seon4 soeng1 gei1
Yalefáan sèuhn sēung gēi
Definition
To retort with ridicule; to counterattack with sarcasm or mockery after being criticized or attacked.
writtencommunicationpeople
How it's used
This is a formal idiom that carries a strong sense of intellectual or verbal combat. It is rarely used in casual, friendly banter and is instead reserved for situations where someone is actively defending their ego or reputation against an insult. Using it in everyday conversation can make you sound overly dramatic or like you are reciting a classical text.
Examples
After he said that, I immediately retorted with sarcasm.
Related words
Common phrases
immediately retort with sarcasm
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple argument or disagreement. It specifically requires a component of mockery or sarcasm, so it is incorrect to use it when someone is merely stating a counterpoint or a different opinion.
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.
