jat1 goek3 daap6 loeng5 syun4一腳踏兩船一脚踏两船
Jyutpingjat1 goek3 daap6 loeng5 syun4
Yaleyāt geuk daahp léuhng syùhn
Definition
To date two people at the same time; to be involved with two lovers simultaneously.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This idiom carries a strong negative connotation of betrayal and lack of integrity in a relationship. It is almost exclusively used to criticize someone for being unfaithful or deceptive. The imagery of balancing on two moving boats captures the inherent instability and inevitable disaster that comes with trying to maintain two secret relationships simultaneously.
Examples
I cannot believe he is two-timing, that is just outrageous.
Are you two-timing? You better explain yourself clearly.
Related words
Common phrases
to discover that someone is two-timing
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe someone who is simply indecisive about choosing between two people in a casual dating phase. It specifically implies that the person is actively maintaining two committed relationships or deceiving two partners at once.
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.
