dim2 dou3 zik1 zi2點到即止点到即止
Jyutpingdim2 dou3 zik1 zi2
Yaledím dou jīk jí
Definition
To know when to stop; to cease an activity upon reaching a certain point and avoid overdoing it.
colloquialdaily actionsdescriptions
How it's used
Refers to the wisdom of knowing when to stop before a situation becomes excessive or awkward. It is often used as advice to maintain social harmony or personal balance. While it can apply to physical actions, it is most frequently invoked in the context of verbal communication or interpersonal boundaries.
Examples
When speaking, know when to stop; don't take it too far.
Even when playing games, you should know when to stop; don't get addicted.
Related words
Common phrases
One should know when to stop in life
To speak with restraint
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simply stopping an action. It specifically implies a conscious decision to stop at the optimal moment to avoid negative consequences, rather than stopping because the task is finished.
Grammar color guide
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Adverb
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Grammar guides
- Directional complementsThe small words added after a verb to show direction of movement, like up, down, out, in, and back. Common in everyday Cantonese.
- DemonstrativesThis and that with 呢 and 嗰, the personal pronouns, and how 哋 turns I, you, and he into we, you all, and they.
- Resultative complementsSticking a result word onto a verb to show how it turned out, like eat until full or look and find. A productive everyday pattern.
