sau1 bing1收兵
Definition
To recall troops and order a retreat; to stop fighting.
How it's used
Beyond the literal military context, this phrase is frequently used metaphorically to mean stopping an activity or calling an end to a situation. It often carries a sense of finality or exhaustion, signaling that the effort being put into a task has reached its limit. In modern slang, it is also widely used to describe a person who keeps multiple romantic admirers on standby, though the military sense remains the primary dictionary definition.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not confuse the literal military meaning with the common slang usage where it refers to someone managing a 'harem' of romantic interests. Using it in a formal business or academic setting to mean 'finish work' might sound overly dramatic or inappropriately informal.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- 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.
