zaa1 geng2 zau6 meng6揸頸就命揸颈就命
Jyutpingzaa1 geng2 zau6 meng6
Yalejā géng jauh mehng
Definition
To have no choice but to swallow one's anger and submit to one's circumstances.
colloquialemotionwork
How it's used
This idiom vividly captures the feeling of being coerced into a situation where resistance is futile. It implies a sense of helplessness, often used when someone is forced to accept unfair treatment or unreasonable demands due to a lack of bargaining power. It is frequently used to describe workplace dynamics or exploitative social situations.
Examples
My boss wants me to work overtime, I have no choice but to comply.
Related words
Common phrases
forced to submit to fate
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe simple inconvenience or minor annoyance. It carries a strong connotation of being trapped or threatened, so it is inappropriate for situations where you actually have a choice or are merely slightly unhappy.
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.
