zi6 soeng1 caan4 saat3自相殘殺自相残杀

Jyutpingzi6 soeng1 caan4 saat3

Yalejih sēung chàahn saat

動詞

Definition

To fight among themselves; to engage in internecine conflict or mutual destruction.

neutralpeopleother

How it's used

This idiom carries a strong sense of tragedy or foolishness, describing a situation where a group destroys its own strength through internal conflict. It is often used in political or organizational contexts to criticize infighting that ultimately benefits an external enemy. Unlike simple arguments, it implies a destructive, almost violent level of mutual harm.

Examples

keoi5佢dei6哋seng4成jat6日zi6自soeng1相caan4殘saat3殺，zeoi3最hau6後bin1邊go3個dak1得jik1益aa4呀？

They are always fighting among themselves, who benefits in the end?

m4唔hou2好zoi3再zi6自soeng1相caan4殘saat3殺laa3喇，daai6大gaa1家tyun4團git3結di1啲laa1啦。

Stop fighting among yourselves, let's be more united.

Common phrases

dou6導zi3致zi6自soeng1相caan4殘saat3殺

lead to internecine conflict

ting4停zi2止zi6自soeng1相caan4殘saat3殺

stop the infighting

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple argument or disagreement, but the term is much heavier and implies a self-destructive, often irreversible, process of mutual ruin.