zang1 fung1 haap3 cou3爭風呷醋争风呷醋
Jyutpingzang1 fung1 haap3 cou3
Yalejāng fūng haap chou
Definition
To compete for affection; to fight or bicker over a love interest out of jealousy.
colloquialemotionpeople
How it's used
Literally translating to competing for wind and drinking vinegar, this idiom describes jealousy or rivalry between people vying for someone's favor or romantic attention. It is frequently used to describe petty squabbles between partners or friends who feel insecure about their position. The imagery of drinking vinegar is a classic Chinese metaphor for jealousy.
Examples
Those two are always competing for affection, it's really annoying.
Why do you need to compete for affection with them?
Related words
Common phrases
always competing for affection
Common mistake
Do not use this to describe professional competition or sports rivalry. It is strictly reserved for interpersonal relationships and emotional jealousy.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
