gong1 ho4 jat6 haa6江河日下
Jyutpinggong1 ho4 jat6 haa6
Yalegōng hòh yaht hah
Definition
On the decline; deteriorating day by day.
writtendescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a formal and literary tone, often used in serious discussions about the state of an organization, a country, or an industry. It implies a continuous, unstoppable downward trend rather than a temporary setback. Using it in casual conversation can sound overly dramatic or academic.
Examples
His company's business is really on the decline.
With the economy this bad, how can you say it's not on the decline?
Related words
Common phrases
the situation is on the decline
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use it to describe a person's physical health or mood, but it is strictly reserved for abstract situations like economic conditions, social trends, or institutional performance.
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.
