soek3 dei6削地
Jyutpingsoek3 dei6
Yaleseuk deih
Definition
To confiscate, slash, or reduce the size of a vassal's territory.
writtenother
How it's used
Historically, this refers to the central government stripping power from local lords by shrinking their land holdings. While it originates from imperial history, it is sometimes used metaphorically in modern contexts to describe someone losing their influence or territory in a corporate or political power struggle.
Examples
The emperor was ruthless when he slashed the fiefs back then.
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with the modern slang 削, which means to mock or insult someone. In a historical context, it strictly refers to land and power, whereas the slang usage is purely about verbal aggression.
Grammar color guide
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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.
