ngaang6 zang1硬掙硬挣

Jyutpingngaang6 zang1

Yalengaahng jāng

Definition

To contend, vie for, or argue stubbornly.

colloquialpeoplecommunication

How it's used

This term carries a nuance of stubbornness or a lack of willingness to concede during a disagreement. It is often used when people are competing to pay a bill or fighting over a minor point of pride. It implies a sense of friction that goes beyond a simple discussion.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋loeng5兩go3個hai2喺dou6度ngaang6硬zang1掙gan2緊bin1邊go3個aam1啱。

The two of them are arguing over who is right.

jau5有me1咩hou2好ngaang6硬zang1掙aa4呀，daai6大gaa1家co5坐dai1低king1傾laa1啦。

What is there to argue about? Let's all sit down and talk.

Common phrases

ngaang6硬zang1掙m4唔jeng4贏

cannot win the argument

ngaang6硬zang1掙min6面zi2子

stubbornly fighting for face

Common mistake

Do not confuse this with the adjective 硬淨, which means tough, resilient, or physically sturdy. While they sound similar, 硬掙 is strictly a verb used for contentious interactions, whereas 硬淨 describes a person's character or physical state.