sai3 sau4世仇
Jyutpingsai3 sau4
Yalesai sàuh
Definition
A deep-seated feud or enmity passed down through generations; sworn or mortal enemies.
neutralpeopleother
How it's used
Refers specifically to deep-seated grudges passed down through generations, often between families or clans. It carries a heavy, dramatic weight, making it sound quite serious or even literary when used in casual conversation. It is rarely used to describe simple personal disagreements between two individuals who just met.
Examples
Their families have been mortal enemies for generations, how could they possibly talk?
This long-standing feud has lasted for decades, it is really pointless.
Related words
Common phrases
to form a multi-generational feud
to resolve a long-standing feud
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a simple argument or a temporary dislike between friends. It implies a historical, multi-generational conflict that is deeply ingrained in the families involved.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
- Possession (嘅)How to say my, your, and his, and how to link a describing word to a noun, all with the little word 嘅 (ge3).
