seoi2 fo2 bat1 soeng1 jung4水火不相容
Jyutpingseoi2 fo2 bat1 soeng1 jung4
Yaleséui fó bāt sēung yùhng
Definition
Incompatible, mutually exclusive, or completely unable to coexist.
neutraldescriptionspeople
How it's used
This idiom is used to describe two people, ideas, or things that are fundamentally opposed and cannot coexist. While it carries a literary tone, it is frequently used in everyday speech to emphasize a strong, irreconcilable conflict. It is more intense than simply saying two things are different, as it implies a natural or inevitable clash.
Examples
Their personalities are like oil and water, how can they be friends?
le1呢loeng5兩tou3套lei5理leon6論gan1根bun2本seoi2水fo2火bat1不soeng1相jung4容，mou5冇dak1得gaap3夾maai4埋jat1一cai4齊jung6用。
These two theories are fundamentally incompatible and cannot be used together.
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often try to use this to describe simple differences in preference, but it is too strong for minor disagreements. It should be reserved for situations where there is a deep, structural, or personal incompatibility.
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.
