baau2 nyun5 si1 jam4 juk6飽暖思淫慾饱暖思淫欲
Definition
When one's basic needs for food and warmth are met, thoughts turn to lust; representing boundless desire.
How it's used
This idiom is often used as a cynical observation about human nature, suggesting that once basic survival needs are met, people inevitably seek out more complex or indulgent desires. It is frequently paired with the second half of the couplet, 饑寒起盜心, to contrast the different behaviors triggered by comfort versus desperation. While it carries a slightly moralizing tone, it is commonly used in casual conversation to tease someone who is suddenly acting entitled or restless despite having a stable life.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Do not use this phrase to describe someone who is simply happy or content. It specifically implies that the person is becoming greedy, ungrateful, or sexually restless because they have become too comfortable.
Grammar color guide
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.
