gwaan1 hai6 gan2 zoeng1關係緊張关系紧张

Jyutpinggwaan1 hai6 gan2 zoeng1

Yalegwāan haih gán jēung

Definition

Strained relations; tense relationship.

colloquialpeopledescriptions

How it's used

Describes a state of friction or lack of harmony between people or groups. It is often used to explain why communication has broken down or why an atmosphere feels uncomfortable. While it can apply to international politics or business, it is most frequently used to describe personal or professional interpersonal dynamics.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋loeng5兩fu6父zi2子gwaan1關hai6係gan2緊zoeng1張，hou2好siu2少king1傾gai2偈。

The father and son have a strained relationship and rarely talk.

zeoi3最gan6近gung1公si1司hei3氣fan1氛hou2好caa1差，tung4同si6事zi1之gaan1間gwaan1關hai6係gan2緊zoeng1張。

The atmosphere at the company is very bad lately, and the relationship between colleagues is strained.

Common phrases

gwaan1關hai6係gan2緊zoeng1張ge3嘅guk6局min6面

a situation of strained relations

dou6導zi3致gwaan1關hai6係gan2緊zoeng1張

to lead to a strained relationship

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the noun 關係 which simply means relationship or connection. Learners sometimes try to use it as a verb, but it functions as an adjective phrase describing the state of a relationship.