fei4 seoi2 bat1 lau4 bit6 jan4 tin4肥水不流別人田肥水不流别人田
Jyutpingfei4 seoi2 bat1 lau4 bit6 jan4 tin4
Yalefèih séui bāt làuh biht yàhn tìhn
Definition
To keep the benefits within the family or group; to ensure advantages do not go to outsiders.
colloquialpeoplemoney
How it's used
This idiom is frequently used in business or family contexts to justify nepotism or keeping opportunities within a closed circle. It carries a pragmatic, slightly protective tone, suggesting that resources are limited and should be prioritized for those with close ties. While it can sound selfish, it is often used as a matter-of-fact explanation for why someone chose a family member or friend over a stranger.
Examples
Keep this business within the family, let our own people handle it.
Why do you insist on keeping the benefits to yourself and refuse to hire outsiders?
Related words
Common phrases
keep the benefits within the family
Common mistake
Learners often mistake this for a literal description of farming or irrigation. It is strictly a metaphorical expression used to describe the allocation of resources, jobs, or profits.
Grammar color guide
Noun
Verb
Adjective
Adverb
Pronoun
Classifier
Particle
Connector
Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
- In 30 secondsThe whole language at a glance. No tenses, no plurals, six tones, sentence particles. Read this before you dive into any specific topic.
- ParticlesSentence particles add tone, emotion, and nuance. Learn the most common particles in Cantonese and how to use them.
