ning4 sei2 bat1 wat1寧死不屈宁死不屈
Jyutpingning4 sei2 bat1 wat1
Yalenìhng séi bāt wāt
Definition
Rather die than surrender or yield; expressing an unyielding determination to resist.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom carries a heavy, heroic tone often reserved for describing historical figures or characters in dramatic stories. It implies a moral stance where the person values their integrity or principles far above their own life. Using it in trivial situations, such as refusing to eat a specific vegetable, will sound overly dramatic or sarcastic.
Examples
He would rather die than yield to power; he really has backbone.
Do you think he will surrender? He would rather die than yield.
Related words
Common phrases
to display a spirit of never yielding
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply being stubborn or difficult, as it specifically refers to a high-stakes moral or political resistance. It is not used for everyday disagreements.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
