daai6 jan4 bat1 gei3 siu2 jan4 gwo3大人不記小人過大人不记小人过
Jyutpingdaai6 jan4 bat1 gei3 siu2 jan4 gwo3
Yaledaaih yàhn bāt gei síu yàhn gwo
Definition
A magnanimous person does not hold grudges or harbor resentment against someone of lesser stature.
colloquialpeopleemotion
How it's used
This idiom is frequently used as a self-justifying way to dismiss someone else's rude or petty behavior while asserting one's own moral superiority. It is often invoked in arguments to end a conflict by positioning oneself as the magnanimous party who is choosing to forgive rather than retaliate. While it sounds formal, it is common in everyday speech when someone wants to signal that they are ending a dispute.
Examples
A person of stature doesn't hold grudges, I won't hold this against you.
Related words
Common phrases
to be the bigger person
Common mistake
Using this phrase can come across as extremely arrogant or condescending because it explicitly labels the other person as a small person, which is likely to escalate tension rather than resolve it.
Grammar color guide
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Grammar guides
- NegationHow to say no, not, didn't, and don't in Cantonese. The four main negation words and when to use each one.
- Numbers and moneyCounting, talking about money, and asking how much things cost. Includes the two words for two and the everyday words for dollars and cents.
- 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.
