san1 sau4 gau6 han6新仇舊恨新仇旧恨
Jyutpingsan1 sau4 gau6 han6
Yalesān sàuh gauh hahn
Definition
Old scores and new grudges.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
This idiom carries a heavy, dramatic weight, often used to describe a situation where past and present conflicts collide to make reconciliation impossible. It is frequently employed in contexts involving long standing feuds or intense interpersonal drama. Unlike simple arguments, it implies a deep accumulation of resentment that has reached a breaking point.
Examples
With all their old scores and new grudges combined, there is really no room for discussion.
Related words
Common phrases
all old scores and new grudges added together
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple way to say 'past and present', but it is strictly reserved for negative, hostile, or vengeful contexts. Do not use it to describe neutral or positive historical events.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
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.
