zaang1 dei6 pun4爭地盤争地盘
Jyutpingzaang1 dei6 pun4
Yalejāang deih pùhn
Definition
To fight for territory or turf.
colloquialpeoplework
How it's used
Originally used in the context of street gangs or criminal organizations vying for control over specific neighborhoods. It has since evolved into a common metaphor for any situation where two parties compete aggressively for market share, physical space, or even social influence. The phrase carries a slightly aggressive or confrontational tone, implying that the competition is zero sum.
Examples
Those two shops are always fighting for territory.
Are you guys trying to fight for territory here?
Related words
Common phrases
vicious competition for territory
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe simple competition for a seat or a parking spot, as it implies a more serious, ongoing struggle for dominance rather than a one off event.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
