gong3 sin3鋼線钢线
Jyutpinggong3 sin3
Yalegong sin
Definition
Steel wire; a thin metallic wire or cable.
colloquialother
How it's used
Beyond the literal circus act, this term is frequently used metaphorically to describe a precarious situation where one must act with extreme caution to avoid failure or disaster. It carries a sense of high stakes and intense focus, similar to walking a fine line in English. When used in a non-circus context, it often implies that the person is balancing between two risky outcomes.
Measure word
tiu4條tìuhExamples
He is like walking on a tightrope, under a lot of pressure.
Related words
Common phrases
to walk a tightrope
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with 鋼絲, which is a broader term for steel wire or cable. While 鋼線 is specifically used for thin wires like those in tightrope walking or certain cleaning tools, 鋼絲 is more commonly used for industrial cables or thicker steel ropes.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
