dong1 zi1 mou4 kwai3當之無愧当之无愧
Jyutpingdong1 zi1 mou4 kwai3
Yaledōng jī mòuh kwai
Definition
To fully deserve a title or honor; to be worthy of praise without needing to feel ashamed.
neutralpeopledescriptions
How it's used
This idiom is used to affirm that someone is fully worthy of a high honor, title, or praise. It carries a formal and respectful tone, often used in speeches or when giving serious recognition to someone's achievements. Unlike casual compliments, it implies that the person has earned their status through genuine effort or exceptional talent.
Examples
He really deserves to win this award.
You worked so hard, you truly deserve this championship.
Related words
Common phrases
a well-deserved title
a well-deserved champion
Common mistake
Learners often mistakenly use this for everyday tasks or minor favors, but it is reserved for significant accomplishments or titles. Using it to describe someone who just finished a simple chore sounds overly dramatic and unnatural.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
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.
