mei6 seoi2 zung1 coeng4昧水舂牆昧水舂墙
Jyutpingmei6 seoi2 zung1 coeng4
Yalemeih séui jūng chèuhng
Definition
To struggle persistently through great hardships and hurdles with determination.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
This idiom vividly captures the image of someone blindly charging forward despite obstacles, much like a fish hitting walls underwater. It carries a sense of stubborn persistence that can be seen as either admirable dedication or reckless behavior depending on the context. It is rarely used in formal writing and is mostly reserved for describing someone's intense, almost obsessive work ethic or pursuit of a goal.
Examples
He is really determined to pursue his dream, I truly admire him.
Do you really have to push yourself so hard? Take a break.
Related words
Common phrases
to do something with extreme, blind determination
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal description of swimming, but it is strictly metaphorical. Avoid using it to describe actual physical activities, as it specifically refers to the mental state of being single-minded or overly persistent.
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.
