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)[Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]上山捉蟹[/Speechword]
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)[Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]鬼揞眼[/Speechword]
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)[Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]佛都有火[/Speechword]
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)[Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]呃鬼食豆腐[/Speechword]
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)[Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]放飛機[/Speechword]
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.
牛唔飲水唔撳得牛頭低 (Ngau4 M4 Jam2 Seoi2 M4 Gam6 Dak1 Ngau4 Tau4 Dai1)[Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]牛唔飲水唔撳得牛頭低[/Speechword]
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)[Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]刀仔鋸大樹[/Speechword]
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)[Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]玻璃夾萬[/Speechword]
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)[Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]馬死落地行[/Speechword]
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)[Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]豬籠入水[/Speechword]
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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]和尚擔遮 [/Speechword] | Monk holding an umbrella | Do whatever one wants or pleases. |
| 醜婦終須見家翁 cau2 fu2 zung1 seoi1 gin3 gaa1 jung1 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]醜婦終須見家翁[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]一竹篙打一船人[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]皇帝唔急太監急[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]賣魚佬洗身[/Speechword] | A fishmonger washes his body | Not having gotten a positive reaction yet; no news |
| 賊佬試沙煲 caak6 lou2 si3 saa1 bou1 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]賊佬試沙煲[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]盲公食湯丸[/Speechword] | A blind man eats glue pudding | Take note of the score. |
| 船頭尺 syun4 tau4 cek3 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]船頭尺[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]單眼佬睇老婆[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]老貓燒鬚[/Speechword] | An old cat burns its whiskers | An expert who commits a casual error in their own field of competence. |
| 開籠雀 hoi1 lung4 zoek3 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]開籠雀[/Speechword] | A bird in an open cage | Someone who is constantly chatting |
| 拉牛上樹 laai1 ngau4 soeng5 syu6 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]拉牛上樹[/Speechword] | To pull a cow up a tree | A futile attempt to accomplish anything |
| 豬乸會上樹 zyu1 naa2 wui2 soeng5 syu6 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]豬乸會上樹[/Speechword] | A female pig can climb trees | When pigs fly, impossible to happen. |
| 豬籠入水 zyu1 lung4 jap6 seoi2 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]豬籠入水[/Speechword] | Water enters a pig basket; To make a fortune | Someone made a lot of money |
| 大石笮死蟹 daai6 sek6 zaak3 sei2 haai5 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]大石笮死蟹[/Speechword] | A big stone crushes a crab | Unfair competition |
| 倒瀉籮蟹 dou2 se2 lo4 haai5 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]倒瀉籮蟹[/Speechword] | Spilled a basket of crabs | Troublesome; Messy |
| 企喺城樓睇馬打交 kei5 hai2 sing4 lau4 tai2 maa5 daa2 gaau1 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]企喺城樓睇馬打交[/Speechword] | Standing on a fort and watching horses fight each other | Keeping oneself out of a potentially dangerous situation. |
| 騎牛搵馬 ke4 ngau4 wan2 maa5 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]騎牛搵馬[/Speechword] | Riding a cow looking for a horse | Using one’s existing position to search for a better one. |
| 掛羊頭賣狗肉 gwaa3 joeng4 tau4 maai6 gau2 juk6 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]掛羊頭賣狗肉[/Speechword] | Hang up a sheep’s head and sell dog meat | Make an attempt to palm off anything. |
| 扯貓尾 ce2 maau1 mei5 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]扯貓尾[/Speechword] | Pull a cat’s tail | Conspiring or putting on a show |
| 捉到鹿唔識脫角 zuk1 dou2 luk2 m4 sik1 tyut3 gok3 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]捉到鹿唔識脫角[/Speechword] | Got hold of the deer but can’t remove its antlers | Being unable to take advantage of a situation. |
| 兩頭蛇 loeng5 tau4 se4 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]兩頭蛇[/Speechword] | Two-headed snake; a servant of two masters | A person who works for both sides of a transaction |
| 打蛇隨棍上 daa2 se4 ceoi4 gwan3 soeng5 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]打蛇隨棍上[/Speechword] | Hit a snake and it crawls up the stick | Utilizing a situation to one’s benefit |
| 邊有咁大隻蛤乸隨街跳 bin1 jau5 gam3 daai6 zek3 gaap3 naa2 ceoi4 gaai1 tiu3 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]邊有咁大隻蛤乸隨街跳[/Speechword] | Why would there be such a big frog hopping around the street? | A deal that is too good to be true |
| 甩繩馬騮 lat1 sing4 maa5 lau4 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]甩繩馬騮[/Speechword] | Loose string monkey | A mischievous or uncontrollable child |
| 馬騮執到桔 maa5 lau4 zap1 dou3 gat1 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]馬騮執到桔[/Speechword] | A monkey got a tangerine | Someone appears to be overjoyed as if he has unearthed gold. |
| 飛象過河 fei1 zoeng6 gwo3 ho4 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]飛象過河[/Speechword] | An elephant flies across the river | To disobey a rule; to reach across the table for food (alluding to Chinese chess rules). |
| 企喺城樓睇馬打交 kei5 hai2 sing4 lau4 tai2 maa5 daa2 gaau1 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]企喺城樓睇馬打交[/Speechword] | To watch a horse fight from the top of a fort | A spectator on the sidelines |
| 事急馬行田 si6 gap1 maa5 hang4 tin4 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]事急馬行田[/Speechword] | In a crisis, a horse can move in the field | In an emergency, to be flexible and adjust to circumstances (a reference to Chinese chess rules) |
| 缸瓦船打老虎 gong1 ngaa5 syun4 daa2 lou5 fu2 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]缸瓦船打老虎[/Speechword] | Hitting a tiger inside a boat full of potteries | To stake everything on a single wager; to stake everything on a single strategy |
| 黑狗得食白狗當災 hak1 gau2 dak1 sik6 baak6 gau2 dong1 zoi1 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]黑狗得食白狗當災[/Speechword] | The black dog gets the food, the white dog gets the punishment | Someone gains from their misbehavior, while someone else bears the brunt of the responsibility. |
| 菠羅雞 bo1 lo4 gai1 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]菠羅雞[/Speechword] | Pineapple chicken | An exploiter is someone who takes advantage of others. |
| 狗仔抬轎 gau2 zai2 toi4 giu2 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]狗仔抬轎[/Speechword] | Puppies lifting /carrying a sedan chair | A failure to recognize and appreciate others’ favors / charming |
| 狗咬狗骨 gau2 ngaau5 gau2 gwat1 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]狗咬狗骨[/Speechword] | A dog bites another dog’s bones | Disputes between members of the same group |
| 打蛇隨棍上 daa2 se4 ceoi4 gwan3 soeng5 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]打蛇隨棍上[/Speechword] | To hit a snake and it crawls up the stick | To take advantage of a circumstance and ask for something or something extra by taking advantage of a particular opportunity. |
| 雞食放光蟲 gai1 sik6 fong3 gwong1 cung4 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]雞食放光蟲[/Speechword] | A chicken eats fireflies | Knowing in one’s heart, fully comprehending, and without needing to think further (As the chicken eats fireflies, its belly lights up) |
| 籠裏雞作反 lung4 lei5 gai1 zok3 faan2 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]籠裏雞作反[/Speechword] | The chickens are fighting inside the coop | Internal dissension, a schism, factional strife; internal infighting |
| 一雞死一雞鳴 jat1 gai1 sei2 jat1 gai1 ming4 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]一雞死一雞鳴[/Speechword] | One chicken dies, one chicken crows | When one individual leaves a firm or occupation, someone else will step in to fill the void. |
| 老鼠拉龜 lou5 syu2 laai1 gwai1 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]老鼠拉龜[/Speechword] | A mouse pulls a turtle | At one’s wits’ end |
| 龜過門檻 gwai1 gwo3 mun4 haam5 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]龜過門檻[/Speechword] | A tortoise passing a sill, implying someone who can’t get on or get off | Unable to solve or get out of a difficulty. It’s a deadlock. |
| 執死雞 zap1 sei2 gai1 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]執死雞[/Speechword] | To pick up a dead chicken | To take something that has been misplaced or discarded by someone else |
| 水過鴨背 seoi2 gwo3 ngaap3 bui3 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]水過鴨背[/Speechword] | Water off a duck’s back | Like water off a duck’s back, to leave no impression on (the memory), to forget (a lesson). |
Cantonese Proverbs Idioms, And Sayings About Ghosts
| Cantonese Proverbs | Literal Meaning | English Translation |
| 鬼畫符 gwai2 waak6 fu4 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]鬼畫符[/Speechword] | Ghost draws a talisman | Poor handwriting, illegible scribble |
| 鬼拍後尾枕 gwai2 paak3 hau6 mei5 zam2 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]鬼拍後尾枕[/Speechword] | A ghost slaps the back of one’s head | To unknowingly let out a secret |
| 多個香爐多隻鬼 do1 go3 hoeng1 lou4 do1 zek3 gwai2 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]多個香爐多隻鬼[/Speechword] | An extra incense burner would attract an extra ghost | An act of allowing someone to benefit from you |
| 有錢使得鬼推磨 jau5 cin2 sai2 dak1 gwai2 teoi1 mo4 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]有錢使得鬼推磨[/Speechword] | If you have money, you can make a ghost push a millstone | Everything is possible with money |
| 鬼食泥 gwai2 sik6 nai4 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]鬼食泥[/Speechword] | A ghost eats mud | To make your words slur |
Cantonese Proverbs Idioms, And Sayings About Food
| Cantonese Proverbs | Literal Meaning | English Translation |
| 禾稈冚珍珠 wo4 gon2 kam2 zan1 zyu1 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]禾稈冚珍珠[/Speechword] | Rice stalks covering pearls | Once gaining control of one’s talent or fortune |
| 食鹽多過你食米 sik6 jim4 do1 gwo3 nei5 sik6 mai5 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]食鹽多過你食米[/Speechword] | Ate more salt than rice | Someone who has greater experience in a particular area than another. |
| 食碗面反碗底 sik6 wun2 min2 faan2 wun2 dai2 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]食碗面反碗底[/Speechword] | Eat from a bowl and then turn it over | Betraying a person; betraying one’s friends |
| 冬瓜豆腐 gwai2 sik6 nai4 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]冬瓜豆腐[/Speechword] | Winter melon and tofu | A sad occurrence, particularly death. |
Other Cantonese Proverbs, Idioms, Sayings
| Cantonese Proverbs | Literal Meaning | English Translation |
| 床下底吹喇叭 cong4 haa6 dai2 ceoi1 laa1 baa1 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]床下底吹喇叭[/Speechword] | Blowing a horn under the bed, implying speaking at a kowtow position | In a begging / humble tone |
| 床下底劈柴 cong4 haa6 dai2 pek3 caai4 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]床下底劈柴[/Speechword] | Chopping wood under a bed | Epic fail; A method that isn’t effective |
| 上面蒸鬆糕，下面賣涼粉 soeng5 min6 zing1 sung1 gou1，haa6 min6 maai6 loeng4 fan2 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]上面蒸鬆糕，下面賣涼粉[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]煲電話粥[/Speechword] | To boil telephone congee | To talk for hours on the phone. |
| 倒吊沙煲 dou2 diu3 saa1 bou1 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]倒吊沙煲[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]十個茶壺九個蓋[/Speechword] | Ten teapots and nine lids | There isn’t enough supply to meet demand. |
| 冇柄遮 mou5 beng3 ze1 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]冇柄遮[/Speechword] | An umbrella with a broken handle | To fight till one’s last breath, refusing to recognize one’s mistake |
| 運桔 wan6 gat1 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]運桔[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]食拖鞋飯[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]食人隻車[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]食死貓[/Speechword] | To eat a dead cat | Taking responsibility for something one hasn’t done |
| 放葫蘆 fong3 wu4 lou4 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]放葫蘆[/Speechword] | To throw a gourd | Bragging; Self-boasting |
| 過橋抽板 gwo3 kiu4 cau1 baan2 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]過橋抽板[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]冇鞋挽屐走[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]濕水炮仗[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]畫隻耳上牆[/Speechword] | Draw an ear on the wall | Words that are dismissed as insignificant and advice that is ignored |
| 摸門釘 mo2 mun4 deng1 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]摸門釘[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]死雞撐飯蓋[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]炒魷魚[/Speechword] | To stir-fry squid | To dismiss an employee |
| 劏白鶴 tong1 baak6 hok6 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]劏白鶴[/Speechword] | To slaughter a white crane | To vomit; Throw up |
| 風扇底傾偈 fung1 sin3 dai2 king1 gai2 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]風扇底傾偈[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]風吹雞蛋殼[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]冇掩雞籠[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]籠裏雞作反[/Speechword] | The chickens are fighting inside the coop | Internal dissension, a schism, factional strife; internal infighting |
| 貼錯門神 tip3 co3 mun4 san4 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]貼錯門神[/Speechword] | 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 [Speechword voice=”Chinese (Hong Kong) Female” isinline]樹大有枯枝[/Speechword] | A big tree has some dead branches | In every group, there are good and bad people |
Learn The Cantonese Language Now
Cantonese proverbs are just one of the interesting things in the Cantonese language. There’s so much to discover and learn. So, if you want to learn more Cantonese but don’t know how to start, Ling App is the perfect tool for you.
Ling App is a language learning platform that helps learners like you learn their desired language, like Cantonese. The Cantonese language is indeed one of the challenging Asian languages to learn, but Ling App’s features help you develop the skills that are essential in learning. It has fun mini-games to learn and practice vocabulary, dialogues to practice your speaking skills, and even grammar explanations to help you understand structure.
Backed with linguistic research and made by actual language experts, Ling App can surely help learners like you achieve their learning goals in record time. So, start your first Cantonese lesson with Ling App now!
One Response
There was an old saying I heard until the late 1950s something like; sik si, aw fan’ meaning eat shut, shut rice. It was equivalent to ‘ what goes around, comes around’ & refers to using nightsoil to fertilise crops. I can never find it these days