jyun5 ngaang6 gim1 si1軟硬兼施软硬兼施

Jyutpingjyun5 ngaang6 gim1 si1

Yaleyúhn ngaahng gīm sī

動詞Rare

Definition

To use both hard and soft tactics; to combine coercion with persuasion.

colloquialpeoplework

How it's used

This idiom describes a calculated strategy of alternating between aggressive pressure and gentle persuasion to achieve a goal. It is frequently used in professional or parental contexts where one party holds authority over another. The phrase implies a level of manipulation or strategic maneuvering rather than just being flexible.

Examples

deoi3對zyu6住ni1呢di1啲waan4頑gu3固ge3嘅haak3客，nei5你jiu3要jyun5軟ngaang6硬gim1兼si1施sin1先dak1得。

You have to use both soft and hard tactics to deal with these stubborn customers.

nei5你hai6係mai6咪nam2諗zyu6住jyun5軟ngaang6硬gim1兼si1施lai4嚟baak1迫keoi5佢cim1簽meng2名aa4呀？

Are you planning to use a mix of threats and promises to force them to sign?

Common phrases

jyun5軟ngaang6硬gim1兼si1施ge3嘅sau2手dyun6段

tactics of using both soft and hard measures

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple adjective describing someone who is both soft and hard, but it is strictly a verb phrase describing a deliberate tactical approach.