jat1 jin4 tong4一言堂
Jyutpingjat1 jin4 tong4
Yaleyāt yìhn tòhng
Definition
A place where only one person has the say, refusing to listen to others.
colloquialworkpeople
How it's used
This term carries a strong negative connotation of autocracy or a lack of democratic process. It is frequently used to criticize management styles in workplaces or decision making in committees where feedback is ignored. It highlights a power imbalance where the leader or a dominant figure suppresses all dissenting voices.
Examples
This company is basically a dictatorship, who would dare to speak up?
Related words
Common phrases
to become a dictatorship
not a one-man show
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply having a strong leader. It specifically describes an environment where other people's opinions are actively excluded or silenced, rather than just a situation where one person is in charge.
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.
