jik1鬩阋
Jyutpingjik1
Yaleyīk
Definition
To argue, quarrel, or feud.
writtenpeopleemotion
How it's used
This character is almost exclusively used in the formal idiom 鬩牆, which refers to internal strife or family feuds. It is rarely used as a standalone verb in modern spoken Cantonese, where people would prefer words like 嗌交 or 爭執. Using it in casual conversation will sound overly literary or archaic to most native speakers.
Examples
The two brothers are always feuding.
Why do you guys have to feud over such trivial things?
Related words
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a common verb, but it is effectively a literary fossil. Avoid using it in daily speech unless you are deliberately aiming for a classical or dramatic tone.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- 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.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
