cau3 aang1 ceot1 cau3 cou2臭罌出臭草臭罂出臭草
Definition
A bad environment produces bad people; a person of inferior background and character.
How it's used
This idiom relies on the metaphor of a foul smelling jar producing foul smelling weeds to describe how negative traits are inherited or learned from one's environment. It is primarily used to criticize someone's behavior by implying that their poor character is a direct result of their upbringing or family background. Because it carries a strong judgmental tone regarding a person's roots, it is considered quite harsh and offensive.
Examples
Related words
Common phrases
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a general insult about someone being dirty or smelly. It specifically refers to the transmission of bad character or habits from a source to a person, rather than just describing a person's current state of hygiene.
Grammar color guide
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
