kei4 gu2 soeng1 dong1旗鼓相當旗鼓相当
Jyutpingkei4 gu2 soeng1 dong1
Yalekèih gú sēung dōng
Definition
Evenly matched; competitors or opposing forces of comparable strength or ability.
colloquialdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a sense of competitive balance and is frequently used in sports commentary or when discussing rivalries. It implies that both sides have put in equal effort or possess similar resources, making the outcome uncertain. While it originates from military contexts, it is now more commonly applied to games, debates, or business competition.
Examples
Both teams are evenly matched, so it wouldn't be surprising whoever wins.
Their chess skills are evenly matched, making for a very exciting game.
Related words
Common phrases
evenly matched in strength
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this to describe physical objects or static states, but it is specifically reserved for dynamic competition or performance between two parties. Do not use it to describe things that are simply identical or similar in appearance.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
