zou2 zung1 sap6 baat3 doi6祖宗十八代
Jyutpingzou2 zung1 sap6 baat3 doi6
Yalejóu jūng sahp baat doih
Definition
All of one's ancestors, up to eighteen generations.
colloquialpeoplefamily
How it's used
This expression is almost exclusively used in the context of intense anger or verbal abuse. It carries a heavy, aggressive tone because it implies dragging someone's entire family history into a personal conflict. You will rarely hear it used in a neutral or historical sense.
Examples
When he scolds people, he even brings up their entire ancestry.
Related words
Common phrases
to curse someone's entire ancestry
Common mistake
Do not use this phrase to talk about genealogy or family history in a polite or academic setting. It is considered highly offensive and inflammatory when directed at someone during an argument.
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.
