lei4 sam1 lei4 dak1離心離德离心离德
Jyutpinglei4 sam1 lei4 dak1
Yalelèih sām lèih dāk
Definition
Divided in allegiance; disintegrated in unity and devotion; divided in heart and mind.
writtenpeopleother
How it's used
Describes a state where people have lost their shared purpose and are no longer working in harmony. It carries a heavy, serious tone often used in political or organizational contexts to describe a complete breakdown of loyalty and unity. Unlike simple disagreements, this implies a fundamental shift in allegiance or spirit.
Examples
They are so divided and at odds, how can they work together?
Related words
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe minor personal arguments or casual disagreements between friends, as it is far too formal and dramatic for everyday social friction.
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.
