jiu4 baai2 bat1 ding6搖擺不定摇摆不定

Jyutpingjiu4 baai2 bat1 ding6

Yaleyìuh báai bāt dihng

形容詞

Definition

Wavering, hesitant, or constantly shifting one's stance.

colloquialdescriptionsemotion

How it's used

This idiom describes a state of mental or positional instability, often used when someone cannot make up their mind or keeps changing their stance. It carries a slightly critical tone, implying that the person lacks conviction or is unreliable. While it sounds formal due to its four character structure, it is frequently used in daily conversation to critique indecisiveness.

Examples

nei5你zou6做jan4人m4唔hou2好jiu4搖baai2擺bat1不ding6定aa4呀。

Don't be so indecisive in life.

keoi5佢deoi3對le1呢gin2件si6事ge3嘅taai3態dou6度jiu4搖baai2擺bat1不ding6定，hou2好naan4難gaau2搞。

His attitude towards this matter is wavering, it's very difficult to deal with.

Common phrases

laap6立coeng4場jiu4搖baai2擺bat1不ding6定

wavering stance

taai3態dou6度jiu4搖baai2擺bat1不ding6定

wavering attitude

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a physical action like shaking, but it is almost exclusively used to describe abstract concepts like opinions, attitudes, or political stances. Do not use it to describe a physical object that is swaying or wobbling.