dak1 bat1 soeng4 sat1得不償失得不偿失

Jyutpingdak1 bat1 soeng4 sat1

Yaledāk bāt sèuhng sāt

動詞

Definition

The gains do not make up for the losses; more harm than good.

neutralother

How it's used

Idioms like this are often used in more formal or written contexts, but they appear frequently in spoken Cantonese when someone is giving advice or warning against a risky decision. It functions as a concise way to point out that a proposed action will ultimately result in a net loss. Using it in conversation adds a layer of emphasis to your warning.

Examples

nei5你wai6為zo2咗haan1慳go2嗰siu2少siu2少cin2錢ji4而maai5買lyut6劣zat1質fo3貨，zan1真hai6係dak1得bat1不soeng4償sat1失。

You bought low-quality goods to save a little money, it really wasn't worth it.

wai6為zo2咗jat1一si4時zi1之hei3氣ji4而tung4同lou5老baan2闆cou4嘈，zeoi3最hau6後bei6被caau2炒mai1咪dak1得bat1不soeng4償sat1失？

Is it worth getting fired just to argue with the boss over a moment of anger?

Common phrases

zan1真hai6係dak1得bat1不soeng4償sat1失

really not worth it

ceoi4隨si4時dak1得bat1不soeng4償sat1失

could easily end up not worth it

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple adjective, but it is a verb phrase describing a situation or outcome. Avoid using it to describe a person, as it specifically refers to the balance of a trade-off or a consequence.