aat1 miu4 zo6 coeng4揠苗助長揠苗助长
Jyutpingaat1 miu4 zo6 coeng4
Yaleāat mìuh joh chèuhng
Definition
To spoil things by excessive enthusiasm or haste; to pull up shoots to help them grow.
writtenschoolpeople
How it's used
This idiom is frequently used in the context of modern parenting and education in Hong Kong. It carries a strong critical tone, implying that the person imposing the pressure is short-sighted and lacks patience. It is often used to describe situations where excessive academic or extracurricular demands are placed on children at a developmental stage where they are not yet ready.
Examples
It's like trying to make a child run before they can walk; it's counterproductive.
Related words
Common phrases
simply counterproductive
to cause a counterproductive effect
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a positive term meaning 'to help someone grow,' but it strictly refers to a self-defeating action caused by impatience. It is not used to describe genuine assistance or mentorship.
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.
