kau4 cyun4求全
Jyutpingkau4 cyun4
Yalekàuh chyùhn
Definition
To demand perfection; to strive for completeness or to keep things intact.
colloquialpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Often used in the context of interpersonal relationships or workplace expectations where someone is being overly critical or setting impossible standards. It carries a slightly negative connotation of being unreasonable or perfectionistic rather than just having high standards.
Examples
Related words
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the idiom 吹毛求疵, which specifically refers to nitpicking or finding faults in something that is otherwise fine. 求全 focuses more on the act of demanding perfection or total compliance from others.
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.
