Wanna live life the best way it was supposed to be lived? Learn these Cantonese proverbs that will surely make every day of your life better.
We are all familiar with the basic way of giving advice to someone. But, way back past generations, there's this one way that people used to teach lessons about everyday lives, and that is through proverbs.
Proverbs are traditional and insightful saying that is based on truth. These proverbs use figurative language that would be understood beyond their literal meaning. In the past few generations, proverbs have been used to give advice or lecture people, particularly children, about life. It is also used in preserving culture and traditions so it can be passed to future generations.
Even until these modern times, you can still hear proverbs used by parents to mold their children into becoming good people. From this, we can say that proverbs are really an essential part of a culture.
Every culture has its own set of proverbs. In this blog, we will learn about Cantonese proverbs, particularly Hong kong proverbs, that are commonly used by Cantonese families. Proverbs can also be an indicator to assess if you are really a native Cantonese speaker or you have a more profound knowledge of the Cantonese language and the culture behind it.
So, sit back and relax. This will be going to be long but worth it!
Proverbs And The Cantonese Culture
Cantonese proverbs, particularly Hong Kong proverbs, are essential in the Cantonese culture. They are not just some couple of sayings or phrases that are taught in Chinese language school to memorize. It tells more about Cantonese culture and the way Cantonese people should behave.
Hong Kong parents use Cantonese proverbs or Hong Kong proverbs to teach their children. If there's a very naughty child, you'll particularly hear the parents or adults saying Cantonese proverbs to them.
When it comes to Cantonese proverbs, there's someone whose name could never be missed -Ah To (阿塗). He is a graphic designer and part-time cartoonist concerned about Cantonese's survival in Canton and Hong Kong. He has lately published a comic called "The Great Canton and Hong Kong Proverbs" on Hong Kong independent media called "Passion Times." 81 Cantonese proverbs are illustrated in the cartoon.
This cartoon about Hong Kong proverbs aims to propagate the Cantonese culture and defend the Cantonese language. It was inspired by the oil painting called "Netherlandish Proverbs" made by Dutch artist Pieter Bruegel. This painting portrays many dutch proverbs to give recognition to the Dutch culture.
Today, even in these modern times, Cantonese proverbs, idioms, and sayings are still used to give life lessons, especially to the young ones. This serves as one of their foundations on how to be a good person growing up. A person without a foundation might end up being lost when they grow up. With the good Hong Kongers, you'll meet when they go to their country, you'll say that these proverbs have reached their goals.
Hong Kong Proverbs, Idioms And Sayings
Cantonese Proverbs, sayings, and idioms are simple and brief wording that convey folk wisdom. It is widely known by ordinary local people because it has always been an essential part of their culture growing up. Cantonese proverbs are usually told by parents and other senior family members to guide children in their lives. Preserving these Cantonese proverbs is also a way of preserving their culture.
If you want to speak Cantonese and sound like a native, collect Cantonese proverbs like what you'll read below. Aside from Cantonese proverbs, you will also learn Cantonese idioms and sayings that have been around for the past few generations.
If you're just beginning to learn the Chinese language like Cantonese, do not worry because all the Cantonese words written in Chinese characters that you'll encounter have English translations and romanization. So, let's not wait for any further and learn these Cantonese proverbs.
上山捉蟹 (Soeng5 Saan1 Zuk1 Haai5)
Literal Meaning: To catch crabs on a hill
Meaning:
There are things in life that are you can hardly think would happen. In something like that, the Cantonese proverbs that you can use are "To catch crabs on a hill (上山捉蟹 Soeng5 Saan1 Zuk1 Haai5)". It means "Almost impossible or Harder than hard."
In life, there are things that we already know are impossible to happen, and we can't do anything about it anymore. However, there are things that you thought were impossible to happen, but you'll never know if you won't try.
鬼揞眼 (Gwai2 Ngam2 Ngaan5)
Literal Meaning: A ghost covers one’s eyes
Meaning:
There are things in life that can't be seen by the naked eye. Sometimes' we look at things differently than others. We fail to notice the truth because we are sometimes blinded by the shallow things we see or the things that we only want to see.
The Cantonese proverb "A ghost covers one’s eyes (鬼揞眼 Gwai2 Ngam2 Ngaan5) means "To fail to see something." This proverb teaches people to be critical of the things in their life. You have to look deeper at certain things because they might mean more than what you see. Opening your eyes to look deeper will make you a better person.
佛都有火 (Fat6 Dou1 Jau5 Fo2)
Literal Meaning: Even the Buddha gets inflamed
Meaning:
Have you ever experienced something intolerable? There are situations or even people that go way past their limitations that you can't even take it anymore. This Cantonese proverb was influenced by Buddhism. It means "an intolerable degree that; past the limitations."
Remember how Buddha maintains his patience to reach enlightenment? Well, how bad the things someone can do that even the Buddha can get inflamed (佛都有火 Fat6 Dou1 Jau5 Fo2)? This proverb teaches people to know their limitations and not go beyond them. Knowing your limits will save you from affecting other people in a negative way.
呃鬼食豆腐 (Aak1 Gwai2 Sik6 Dau6 Fu6)
Literal Meaning: To trick a ghost into eating tofu
Meaning:
This is one of the very timely and relevant Cantonese proverbs today. The proverb "To trick a ghost into eating tofu (呃鬼食豆腐 Aak1 Gwai2 Sik6 Dau6 Fu6) means "to trick someone." Now that scams, phishing, catfishing, and other ways of tricking others are prevalent, this might be one of the essential Cantonese proverbs that you should learn.
Tricking someone for personal advantages, even if it's only a prank, is really not a good thing to do. These small tricks might lead to bigger consequences and problems that can cause harm to other people. Today many people fall for tricks and end up hurting or losing something significant in their lives. It's really bothering that people nowadays can easily trick anyone even they know how awful it can be.
放飛機 (Fong3 Fei1 Gei1)
Literal Meaning: To throw a paper airplane
Meaning:
I'm sure many people will agree that broken promises are one of the worst and most painful things in life. In Cantonese proverbs, they use "To throw a paper airplane 放飛機 (Fong3 Fei1 Gei1) " that which "to break a promise".
We should remember that keeping our words is important to avoid hurting other person's feelings. When it is broken, even sorry means nothing. It teaches people to hold on to all the words and promises they make.
Literal Meaning: If a cow doesn’t want to drink, you can’t force its head down.
Meaning:
Each individual is accountable for their own acts. Even if you give them advice, there's no guarantee they'll follow it. In English, this is the Cantonese proverbs version for "You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink."English.
People do not always need advice from you when they're going through something. Sometimes being there to listen to them is all they need to feel better. You don't always have to say sometimes because it might just make everything worse.
刀仔鋸大樹 (Dou1 Zai2 Geoi3 Daai6 Syu6)
Literal Meaning: Use a little knife to saw down a tree.
Meaning:
Hong Kong is one of the Asian Tigers, and we cannot deny the fact that it's one of the countries where you can get lots of career opportunities. The Cantonese proverb 刀仔鋸大樹 Dou1 Zai2 Geoi3 Daai6 Syu6) can be very useful, especially if you want to pursue a Career in Hong Kong. This proverb means"using a small amount of capital to earn a large profit."
When you're starting a business, things can be too risky, so you'll really have to be critical and think of a way that you can make a large profit out of a small capital. There are lots of big companies today that started small and worked their way up to the top.
玻璃夾萬 (Bo1 Lei4 Gaap3 Maan6)
Literal Meaning: A glass safe
Meaning:
In these modern times, there are lots of things that look really nice but totally worthless. To describe these things in Cantonese proverbs, use "A glass safe (玻璃夾萬 Bo1 Lei4 Gaap3 Maan6)". It means "something that appears attractive but is not useful."
This proverb is a reminder that not everything that looks nice is essential. Like what was mentioned in the novel "The Little Prince," what is important is invisible to the eye.
馬死落地行 (Maa5 Sei2 Lok6 Dei6 Hang4)
Literal Meaning: When one’s horse dies, one has to walk
Meaning:
This Cantonese proverb means "to have to rely on oneself and get through a difficult situation without assistance." Cantonese family is really important in their culture. But, as a child, you really have to learn how to stand on your own feet. Your family will not always be there for you forever.
豬籠入水 (Jung4 Jap6 Seoi2)
Literal Meaning: Water enters a pig basket
Why do you think there are lots of billionaires from Hong Kong? Well, they definitely know lots of ways to make money. The Cantonese proverb to use for this is "Water enters a pig basket (豬籠入水 Jung4 Jap6 Seoi2) which means "to have many different ways to make money, to have money coming from many different enterprises or sources."
More Cantonese Proverbs, Idioms, And Cantonese Sayings
The Cantonese proverbs, sayings, and idioms that you have learned above are only the basic ones. If you wanna learn more about Cantonese proverbs, idioms, and sayings, check out the tables below.
Cantonese Proverbs And Sayings About People
Cantonese Proverbs
Literal Meaning
English Translation
和尚擔遮 wo4 soeng2 daam1 ze1
Monk holding an umbrella
Do whatever one wants or pleases.
醜婦終須見家翁 cau2 fu2 zung1 seoi1 gin3 gaa1 jung1
An ugly woman still has to meet her husband’s father
Dealing with a pending issue eventually even if you don't want to
一竹篙打一船人 jat1 zuk1 gou1 daa2 jat1 syun4 jan4
Hitting everyone on a boat with a punt pole
Tarred with the same brush
皇帝唔急太監急 wong4 dai3 m4 gap1 taai3 gaam1 gap1
The emperor is not in a hurry, but the eunuchs are
Being more concerned about someone else's business than they are
賣魚佬洗身 maai6 jyu4 lou2 sai2 san1
A fishmonger washes his body
Not having gotten a positive reaction yet; no news
賊佬試沙煲 caak6 lou2 si3 saa1 bou1
A thief is testing a pot
Before you do something horrible, you should test the waters.
盲公食湯丸 maang4 gung1 sik6 tong1 jyun2
A blind man eats glue pudding
Take note of the score.
船頭尺 syun4 tau4 cek3
Plumb line on a ship
Someone who is always requesting money from others
單眼佬睇老婆 daan1 ngaan5 lou2 tai2 lou5 po4
One-eyed man looks at his wife
Too few/simple/obvious that everything can be seen/understood in a "second."
Cantonese Proverbs, Idioms, And Sayings About Animals
Cantonese Proverbs
Literal Meaning
English Translation
老貓燒鬚 lou5 maau1 siu1 sou1
An old cat burns its whiskers
An expert who commits a casual error in their own field of competence.
Steaming sponge cake on top, selling cool powder below.
The frigid winter characterizes women who wear heavy gear on top but barely cover their legs with small skirts/short shorts.
煲電話粥 bou1 din6 waa6 zuk1
To boil telephone congee
To talk for hours on the phone.
倒吊沙煲 dou2 diu3 saa1 bou1
A pot hung upside down
Poverty is a state of being penniless
十個茶壺九個蓋 sap6 go3 caa4 wu4 gau2 go3 goi3
Ten teapots and nine lids
There isn't enough supply to meet demand.
冇柄遮 mou5 beng3 ze1
An umbrella with a broken handle
To fight till one's last breath, refusing to recognize one's mistake
運桔 wan6 gat1
To ship tangerines
To go to a store or meet someone without a specific goal, to "simply look" in a store; to squander someone's time.
食拖鞋飯 sik6 to1 haai4 faan6
To eat slippers rice
A man who is supported by a woman, i.e. he doesn't have to work and can keep his slippers on.
食人隻車 sik6 jan4 zek3 ce1
To have eaten someone’s cart
To take advantage of or expropriate the property of others (a reference to Chinese chess rules).
食死貓 sik6 sei2 maau1
To eat a dead cat
Taking responsibility for something one hasn't done
放葫蘆 fong3 wu4 lou4
To throw a gourd
Bragging; Self-boasting
過橋抽板 gwo3 kiu4 cau1 baan2
To pull up the planks after crossing the bridge
Once the crisis is gone, betraying one's friends, abandoning one's friends once one is safe
冇鞋挽屐走 mou5 haai4 waan5 kek6 zau2
When there are no shoes, grab the clogs and run
To flee a tense/ awkward situation as quickly as possible
濕水炮仗 sap1 seoi2 paau3 zoeng6
A damp firecracker
Useless; someone who has a calm demeanor and does not lose their cool.
畫隻耳上牆 waa2 zek3 ji5 soeng5 coeng4
Draw an ear on the wall
Words that are dismissed as insignificant and advice that is ignored
摸門釘 mo2 mun4 deng1
To scrape the doornails
Going to see someone but not being able to find them at home, or arranging a meeting but not being able to find them.
死雞撐飯蓋 sei2 gai1 caang1 faan6 goi3
Using a dead chicken to push back the cooking-pot lid
To fight till one's last breath, refusing to recognize one's mistake
炒魷魚 caau2 jau4 jyu4
To stir-fry squid
To dismiss an employee
劏白鶴 tong1 baak6 hok6
To slaughter a white crane
To vomit; Throw up
風扇底傾偈 fung1 sin3 dai2 king1 gai2
Talking under a fan
Saying something impolite about other people's faults or misfortunes, without regard for others' feelings
風吹雞蛋殼 fung1 ceoi1 gai1 daan2 hok3
Windbreaks an eggshell
You don't have to be concerned about losing money. Be at ease in the face of adversity.
冇掩雞籠 mou5 jim2 gai1 lung4
A doorless chicken coop
A location where you are free to come and go as you choose.
籠裏雞作反 lung4 lei5 gai1 zok3 faan2
The chickens are fighting inside the coop
Internal dissension, a schism, factional strife; internal infighting
貼錯門神 tip3 co3 mun4 san4
To paste up the door gods wrongly
To become unpleasant, confrontational, and obnoxious (since the door gods are normally pasted up so that they face each other, but if put up wrongly they face away from each other).
樹大有枯枝 syu6 daai6 jau5 fu1 zi1
A big tree has some dead branches
In every group, there are good and bad people
Learn The Cantonese Language Now
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