wai4 gung1圍攻围攻
Jyutpingwai4 gung1
Yalewàih gūng
Definition
To besiege or encircle in a military attack, or to be swarmed and attacked by a crowd.
- to besiege and attack an enemy to prevent retreat or supply
- to be ganged up on or attacked by a crowd, usually verbally or in writing
colloquialpeoplecommunication
How it's used
While historically associated with military tactics, this term is now predominantly used in social or digital contexts to describe a group of people collectively criticizing or harassing someone. It carries a strong sense of being outnumbered or overwhelmed by a crowd, often implying that the target has no chance to defend themselves effectively. It is rarely used to describe physical violence in everyday speech, focusing instead on verbal or written onslaughts.
Examples
They all ganged up to attack that influencer online.
Related words
Common phrases
online mobbing
to rise up and attack in a group
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe a simple argument between two people, as it specifically implies a collective, one-sided attack by multiple parties against a single target.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- QuestionsFrom yes or no questions to asking who, what, where, and when. The patterns you need to ask questions naturally in Cantonese.
- ClassifiersCantonese puts a classifier between a number and a noun, and a bare classifier on its own can mean the. Learn the common ones and how to use them.
- ComparisonsHow to say bigger than, the most, the same as, and not as good as. Cantonese uses 過 where Mandarin uses 比, and that catches a lot of learners out.
