sin1 faat3 zai3 jan4先發制人先发制人
Jyutpingsin1 faat3 zai3 jan4
Yalesīn faat jai yàhn
Definition
To take the initiative by striking the first blow; to forestall an opponent through preemptive action.
neutralworkother
How it's used
This idiom is often used in competitive or strategic contexts, such as business negotiations, sports, or even verbal arguments. It carries a sense of tactical superiority where one anticipates the opponent's move and acts before they can react. Unlike casual conversation, it is frequently used in formal or serious discussions to describe calculated maneuvers.
Examples
We need to strike first, don't wait for them to make a move.
He adopted a preemptive strategy and successfully gained the advantage.
Common phrases
to take preemptive action
preemptive measures
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a simple action of starting something, but it specifically implies a defensive or competitive intent to neutralize an opponent's potential threat. It is not used for just being the first person to arrive or begin a neutral task.
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).
