bui3 seon3 hei3 ji6背信棄義背信弃义
Jyutpingbui3 seon3 hei3 ji6
Yalebui seun hei yih
Definition
To renege on one's promises and betray others' trust; to act perfidiously.
writtenpeopleother
How it's used
This idiom carries a heavy moral weight and is typically reserved for serious situations involving broken contracts, betrayal of close friends, or abandonment of core principles. It is much more formal than simply saying 唔守信用 or 反口, which are used for everyday broken promises like being late or changing plans. Using this phrase implies a deep sense of moral condemnation rather than just annoyance.
Examples
He betrayed everyone for money, it is really disappointing.
How could you break your word and betray the brothers who have always helped you?
Related words
Common phrases
to act in a way that is treacherous
a treacherous and untrustworthy person
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this for minor inconveniences or small lies, but it is far too strong for such contexts. It is strictly reserved for significant breaches of trust or ethical failures.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
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Grammar guides
- LocationHow to say where something is using 喺 (hai2), place words like 度, and the common coverbs that work like English prepositions.
- Serial verbsStringing two or more verbs together without any joining word, like go to the shop buy things. Extremely common in Cantonese.
- 將 disposalHow to move the object in front of the verb with 將, to focus on what happens to it. Common in instructions and writing.
