leoi5 zin3 leoi5 baai6屢戰屢敗屡战屡败
Jyutpingleoi5 zin3 leoi5 baai6
Yaleléuih jin léuih baaih
Definition
To suffer defeat in every battle; to lose every fight.
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How it's used
This idiom carries a strong sense of persistent failure despite repeated efforts. It is often used to describe someone who lacks the necessary skill or luck to succeed, regardless of how many times they try. Unlike simple failure, it emphasizes the repetitive nature of the struggle.
Examples
He keeps failing in his business ventures, it is really pitiful.
Why do you always suffer defeat in every attempt?
Related words
Common phrases
a person who fails repeatedly
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a positive expression of perseverance, but it is strictly negative. It describes a cycle of losing rather than the act of getting back up after a fall.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
