do1 jat1 si6 bat1 jyu4 siu2 jat1 si6多一事不如少一事

Jyutpingdo1 jat1 si6 bat1 jyu4 siu2 jat1 si6

Yaledō yāt sih bāt yùh síu yāt sih

語句

Definition

It is better to avoid unnecessary trouble or involvement; better to let things be.

colloquialpeopleother

How it's used

This idiom reflects a pragmatic, conflict-averse attitude common in local social interactions. It is frequently invoked to justify staying silent or walking away from a situation that could escalate into an unnecessary argument or public confrontation. While it promotes harmony, it is sometimes criticized by those who feel it encourages passivity in the face of injustice.

Examples

syun3算laa1啦，do1多jat1一si6事bat1不jyu4如siu2少jat1一si6事，m4唔hou2好tung4同keoi5佢cou4嘈。

Forget it, it's better to avoid trouble than to stir it up, don't argue with him.

nei5你zou6做me1咩jiu3要do1多jat1一si6事bat1不jyu4如siu2少jat1一si6事，ming4明ming4明hai6係keoi5佢co3錯。

Why are you choosing to avoid trouble when it's clearly his fault?

Common phrases

do1多jat1一si6事bat1不jyu4如siu2少jat1一si6事

better to avoid trouble than to stir it up

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a literal instruction to do less work, but it specifically refers to avoiding interpersonal conflict or unnecessary complications, not laziness or professional negligence.