goeng1 ci4僵持
Jyutpinggoeng1 ci4
Yalegēung chìh
Definition
To refuse to budge; to be locked in a stalemate, with both parties unwilling to change their stance.
neutralpeoplecommunication
How it's used
Focuses on a tense, frozen state where neither side is willing to make a concession. It implies a sense of stubbornness or a lack of progress in negotiations or arguments. While it can be used in formal contexts, it is frequently heard in news reports or discussions about political or interpersonal conflicts.
Examples
The two of them have been in a stalemate in the meeting room for a long time.
Both sides are deadlocked, how should we resolve this?
Related words
Common phrases
to remain in a stalemate
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 堅持, which means to persist or persevere in one's own efforts. 僵持 requires at least two opposing parties, whereas 堅持 can be done by a single person alone.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
