nei5 zou6 co1 jat1 ，ngo5 zou6 sap6 ng5你做初一，我做十五
Jyutpingnei5 zou6 co1 jat1 ，ngo5 zou6 sap6 ng5
Yalenéih jouh chō yāt ，ngóh jouh sahp ńgh
Definition
Tit for tat; to pay someone back in their own coin.
colloquialpeopleother
How it's used
This idiom references the lunar calendar where the first and fifteenth days of the month are significant dates for religious rituals. It carries a strong sense of inevitable retaliation or a cycle of escalating conflict. People use it to justify a hostile action by framing it as a direct response to a prior provocation.
Examples
If you play dirty, I will too; neither of us will have a good time.
Related words
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe simple competition or sports. It specifically implies a retaliatory, often petty, cycle of behavior where one person feels forced to match the other's negative actions.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- TonesCantonese has six tones, and the tones can change in certain grammatical contexts. Learn the six tones and the rules for tone change.
- Time and datesClock time, days of the week, months, and years. The patterns you need to make plans and talk about when things happen.
- Modal verbsHow to say can, will, may, should, must, and want. The core modal verbs of Cantonese and the differences that trip up beginners.
