daai6 ji6 mit6 can1大義滅親大义灭亲

Jyutpingdaai6 ji6 mit6 can1

Yaledaaih yih miht chān

動詞

Definition

To sacrifice or destroy a relative for a greater cause or for justice.

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How it's used

This idiom carries a heavy, serious tone and is almost exclusively used in formal contexts or when discussing moral dilemmas involving family. It implies a painful sacrifice where one chooses societal justice or legal duty over personal loyalty to kin. It is rarely used in casual conversation unless someone is being dramatic or discussing high-stakes ethical situations.

Examples

keoi5佢wai6為zo2咗gung1公ji6義daai6大ji6義mit6滅can1親，can1親sau2手bou3報ging2警laai1拉zi6自gei2己sai3細lou2佬。

For the sake of justice, he put righteousness before family and personally called the police to arrest his younger brother.

nei5你zan1真hai6係jiu3要daai6大ji6義mit6滅can1親，geoi2舉bou3報nei5你lou5老dau6豆zou6做ge3嘅faan6犯faat3法si6事？

Are you really going to put righteousness before family and report your father's illegal activities?

Common phrases

daai6大ji6義mit6滅can1親ge3嘅kyut3決ding6定

a decision to put righteousness before family

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a general term for punishing family members, but it specifically requires the motivation of a higher moral or legal cause. It is not used for minor family discipline or simple arguments.