ngau4 gok3 zim1牛角尖
Jyutpingngau4 gok3 zim1
Yalengàuh gok jīm
Definition
A dead end or a blind alley; an insignificant, insoluble problem or detail.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
Usage almost exclusively revolves around the verb 鑽, forming the phrase 鑽牛角尖. It describes a mental state where someone fixates on a trivial or unsolvable problem, effectively trapping themselves in a narrow line of reasoning. It carries a sense of frustration from the observer, implying the person is being unnecessarily stubborn or short-sighted.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
to split hairs or get stuck in a rut
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a physical dead end in a street, but it is strictly used for abstract, psychological stubbornness or circular thinking. It does not describe a literal cul-de-sac or a blocked road.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
