ting4 baai2停擺停摆
Definition
To shut down; a temporary suspension of government services due to a lack of funding.
How it's used
Originally a term from mechanical engineering referring to a clock or machine stopping, this word has been adopted into political discourse to describe a total halt in government operations. It carries a sense of paralysis and dysfunction, often implying that political gridlock has rendered the administration unable to function. It is almost exclusively used in formal news reporting or discussions about international politics, particularly regarding the United States.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this for any type of closure, such as a shop closing for the day or a road being blocked. It is specifically reserved for institutional or systemic failure, not for temporary business closures or traffic delays.
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.
