hau2 tung4 bei6 ngaau3口同鼻拗
Jyutpinghau2 tung4 bei6 ngaau3
Yaleháu tùhng beih ngaau
Definition
An argument where both sides hold to their own version of events with no objective proof.
- a dispute where both sides make conflicting claims without physical evidence
- figurativea pointless internal argument; to argue over nothing
colloquialcommunicationpeople
How it's used
This idiom describes a situation where two parties are locked in a dispute with no objective evidence to settle it. It implies a sense of frustration because the argument is circular and unproductive. It is specifically used when both sides are equally adamant, making it impossible for an outsider to determine the truth.
Examples
The two of them are just arguing back and forth, nobody knows who is right.
Related words
Common phrases
to turn into a 'he said, she said' situation
to fall into a deadlock of conflicting claims
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal argument about body parts, but it is strictly a metaphorical expression for a stalemate in a dispute. It is not used for simple disagreements where one person is clearly wrong or when there is evidence available to resolve the issue.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
