quarrel in anger; bicker out of spite
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
1 sense · 5 examplesverb
to quarrel out of pride; to bicker over a matter of face; to act spitefully
informalOften refers to arguments not over a substantive issue, but over hurt feelings, pride, or a desire to win. Common in everyday speech and family/social conflicts.
Yǒu有
huà话
hǎo好
hǎo好
shuō说
，
yòng用
bù不
zháo着
dòu斗
qì气
。
If you have something to say, say it nicely—there's no need to bicker out of spite.
Tā他
men们
liǎ俩
jīng经
cháng常
wèi为
yī一
diǎn点
xiǎo小
shì事
dòu斗
qì气
。
The two of them often squabble over trivial matters.
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Bié别
gēn跟
lǎo老
bǎn板
dòu斗
qì气
le了
，
duì对
nǐ你
méi没
hǎo好
chù处
。
Don't get into a spiteful standoff with the boss; it won't do you any good.
Xiōng兄
dì弟
zhī之
jiān间
dòu斗
qì气
，
zuì最
hòu后
shāng伤
de的
shì是
gǎn感
qíng情
。
When brothers bicker out of pride, what gets hurt in the end is their bond.
Tā她
gù故
yì意
chí迟
dào到
，
jiù就
shì是
wèi为
le了
gēn跟
wǒ我
dòu斗
qì气
。
She was late on purpose, just to act spitefully towards me.