zit6 jin4 bat1 tung4截然不同
Jyutpingzit6 jin4 bat1 tung4
Yalejiht yìhn bāt tùhng
Definition
Completely different; poles apart; sharing absolutely no similarities, as if cut cleanly in two.
neutraldescriptions
How it's used
Emphasize the sharp, absolute nature of the contrast by using this phrase when two things share almost no common ground. It functions as a formal idiom that is frequently used in spoken Cantonese to add weight or emphasis to a comparison. Unlike simpler terms for difference, this implies a clear, almost physical separation between the two subjects.
Examples
The two of them have completely different ideas.
The service attitude at these two shops is poles apart.
Related words
Common phrases
poles apart in personality
completely different stances
Common mistake
Avoid using this to describe minor differences or slight variations, as it implies a total lack of similarity. It is not suitable for casual comparisons where the subjects still share many common traits.
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.
