dok6 dak1 loeng6 lik6度德量力

Jyutpingdok6 dak1 loeng6 lik6

Yaledohk dāk leuhng lihk

Definition

To assess one's own virtues and estimate one's own strength or abilities.

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How it's used

This idiom carries a formal and slightly didactic tone, often used when advising someone to be realistic about their limitations before taking on a significant responsibility. It implies that one should not only consider practical skills but also whether their character and moral standing are appropriate for the task at hand. It is rarely used in casual, lighthearted conversation.

Examples

nei5你zou6做kyut3決ding6定zi1之cin4前，zeoi3最hou2好sin1先dok6度dak1德loeng6量lik6力。

Before you make a decision, you had better weigh your own capabilities and integrity.

keoi5佢gan1根bun2本mou5冇dok6度dak1德loeng6量lik6力，zau6就zip3接zo2咗ni1呢go3個gam3咁naan4難ge3嘅jam6任mou6務。

He accepted this difficult task without even considering his own abilities and moral standing.

Common phrases

dok6度dak1德loeng6量lik6力ji4而haang4行

to act only after carefully weighing one's moral integrity and capabilities

Common mistake

Learners often mistake this for a simple synonym of thinking or planning, but it specifically emphasizes the alignment between one's personal integrity and the demands of a situation. Using it to describe trivial daily choices sounds overly dramatic and unnatural.