pou5 bat1 ping4抱不平
Jyutpingpou5 bat1 ping4
Yalepóuh bāt pìhng
Definition
To feel outraged by injustice on someone else's behalf.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
Focuses on the emotional reaction to witnessing unfair treatment rather than just the act of intervening. It carries a sense of moral indignation and often implies that the speaker is acting on behalf of someone else who has been wronged. While it can involve taking action, it frequently refers to the act of speaking out or expressing strong disapproval.
Examples
He was scolded for no reason, so of course I have to stand up for him.
Related words
Common phrases
to stand up for someone
Common mistake
Learners often confuse this with simply being angry or complaining. It specifically requires the context of an injustice or unfair treatment towards someone else, rather than just personal frustration or annoyance.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
