gok3 zap1 jat1 ci4各執一詞各执一词
Jyutpinggok3 zap1 jat1 ci4
Yalegok jāp yāt chìh
Definition
Each side sticking to its own argument and refusing to back down.
neutralcommunicationother
How it's used
This idiom is frequently used in formal or legal contexts, such as news reports or disputes, to describe a stalemate where neither party will concede. While it sounds slightly more formal than everyday slang, it is perfectly natural in spoken Cantonese when describing disagreements or arguments. It implies a lack of consensus and often suggests that the truth is difficult to determine because of the conflicting accounts.
Examples
The two of them are sticking to their own stories, making the matter very hard to handle.
Both sides are sticking to their own versions, who is actually telling the truth?
Related words
Common phrases
both sides stick to their own arguments
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to mean simply having different opinions, but it specifically implies a stubborn refusal to back down or reach an agreement. It is not used for casual differences in taste or preference.
Grammar color guide
Noun
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
