fan1 ting4 kong3 lai5分庭抗禮分庭抗礼

Jyutpingfan1 ting4 kong3 lai5

Yalefān tìhng kong láih

動詞

Definition

To stand on equal footing; to be on equal terms without either side being subordinate.

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How it's used

This idiom originates from the historical practice of a guest and host standing on opposite sides of a courtyard to show mutual respect. It is used to describe two entities that possess similar strength or influence, making them rivals who cannot easily dominate one another. While it carries a slightly formal or literary tone, it is frequently used in news and business contexts to describe competitive parity.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋loeng5兩gaan1間gung1公si1司ji1依gaa1家fan1分ting4庭kong3抗lai5禮。

Those two companies are now on equal footing.

bin1邊go3個ho2可ji5以tung4同keoi5佢fan1分ting4庭kong3抗lai5禮aa4呀？

Who can possibly stand on equal ground with him?

Common phrases

zuk1足ji5以fan1分ting4庭kong3抗lai5禮

sufficient to stand on equal footing

Common mistake

Avoid using this to describe simple equality or friendship, as it specifically implies a competitive or rivalrous relationship between two powerful parties.