sap6 jyun1 gau2 sau4十冤九仇

Jyutpingsap6 jyun1 gau2 sau4

Yalesahp yūn gáu sàuh

名詞

Definition

Deep-seated hatred or heavy rancor towards someone.

colloquialemotionpeople

How it's used

This idiom describes a situation where two parties are at extreme odds, often used to downplay a conflict by suggesting that the current level of hostility is disproportionate to the actual relationship. It is frequently used in the negative form to remind someone that there is no reason for such intense bitterness. The structure implies a deep, long-standing, or irrational grudge.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋loeng5兩go3個jau6又m4唔hai6係sap6十jyun1冤gau2九sau4仇，zou6做mat1乜jiu3要aai3嗌gaau1交aa4呀？

They aren't exactly mortal enemies, so why do they have to argue?

daai6大gaa1家jau6又m4唔hai6係sap6十jyun1冤gau2九sau4仇，sai2使mat1乜gam3咁wu3惡deoi3對zyu6住jan4人le1呢？

We aren't mortal enemies, so why be so fierce towards others?

Common phrases

jau6又m4唔hai6係sap6十jyun1冤gau2九sau4仇

not exactly mortal enemies

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal count of grievances, but it is a fixed idiom used to describe the intensity of a conflict rather than a specific number of past wrongs.