Ceot1 ji5 gung1 sam1出以公心

JyutpingCeot1 ji5 gung1 sam1

YaleCēut yíh gūng sām

Definition

To act without selfish considerations; to keep the public interest in mind.

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How it's used

This phrase carries a formal and virtuous tone, often used to praise someone for their integrity or impartiality in professional or community settings. It emphasizes that a person's actions are driven by duty rather than personal gain or hidden agendas. Because of its slightly elevated register, it is more commonly found in serious discussions or news reports than in casual banter between friends.

Examples

keoi5佢zou6做je5嘢jat1一hoeng3向dou1都hai6係ceot1出ji5以gung1公sam1心，m4唔wui2會wai6為zi6自gei2己lei6利jik1益。

He always acts with the public interest in mind and never for his own benefit.

nei5你gok3覺dak1得keoi5佢gam1今ci3次kyut3決ding6定hai6係mai6咪ceot1出ji5以gung1公sam1心aa4呀？

Do you think his decision this time was made with the public interest in mind?

Common phrases

jyun4完cyun4全ceot1出ji5以gung1公sam1心

entirely out of public interest

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a common everyday verb phrase, but it is actually a set idiom that sounds quite formal. Using it in a very casual context, such as talking about what to eat for lunch, will sound unnatural and overly dramatic.