bou2 faan6 wun2保飯碗保饭碗

Jyutpingbou2 faan6 wun2

Yalebóu faahn wún

Definition

To protect or keep one's job.

colloquialworkmoney

How it's used

The term literally translates to protecting one's rice bowl, which serves as a metaphor for job security in a culture where food stability is synonymous with employment. It is frequently used in professional settings or when discussing economic instability. The phrase implies a sense of urgency or effort, as if the job is something fragile that could easily be broken or lost.

Examples

ging1經zai3濟m4唔hou2好，daai6大gaa1家dou1都soeng2想bou2保faan6飯wun2碗。

The economy is bad, everyone wants to keep their jobs.

nei5你zou6做je5嘢gam3咁laan2懶，dim2點joeng2樣bou2保faan6飯wun2碗aa4呀？

You are so lazy at work, how are you going to keep your job?

Common phrases

bou2保zyu6住faan6飯wun2碗

to successfully keep one's job

faan6飯wun2碗bat1不bou2保

job security is at risk

Common mistake

Do not use this to describe the act of literally protecting a physical bowl of rice. It is strictly an idiomatic expression for maintaining employment and should not be applied to literal kitchenware.