koeng5 jan4 so2 naan4強人所難强人所难
Jyutpingkoeng5 jan4 so2 naan4
Yalekéuhng yàhn só nàahn
Definition
To force someone to do something against their will, or to impose an extremely difficult task on them.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
Often used as a polite but firm way to decline a request that feels unreasonable or beyond one's capacity. While it sounds formal, it is frequently used in daily speech to set boundaries without being overly aggressive. It implies that the speaker is not just unwilling, but that the task itself is unfairly demanding.
Examples
Asking him to move all the furniture in the house by himself is really forcing him to do the impossible.
I really cannot do it, please do not force me to do something I cannot.
Related words
Common phrases
do not force someone to do the impossible
it is simply forcing someone to do the impossible
Common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse this with simply saying no, but it carries a specific nuance of unfairness or impossibility. Using it for minor inconveniences can sound overly dramatic or pretentious.
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.
