gong2 m4 maai4 laan1講唔埋欄讲唔埋栏
Definition
To be unable to reach a consensus or find common ground during a discussion.
How it's used
This expression carries a strong sense of frustration, implying that the two parties are talking past each other rather than just having a simple disagreement. It is often used when a discussion has gone on for a long time without any progress, suggesting that the gap between the two sides is too wide to bridge. The imagery of a fence or barrier, 欄, suggests that there is a physical or metaphorical obstacle preventing the parties from standing on the same side.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 講唔掂, which is a more general way to say you cannot settle a matter or finish a task. 講唔埋欄 specifically emphasizes the failure to find common ground or reach a shared understanding, rather than just failing to complete a negotiation.
Grammar color guide
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.
